Miles - Miscellaneous - M.28 Brochure


	MILES M.28 A Training and Communications Aircraft. Extracts from the brochure


	PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATION TWO major functions intended for the MILES M.28 may be summarised as:- (a) Two/three seater ab. initio and/or intermediate training aircraft. (b) Three/four seater communications aircraft. The opinion that ab. initio training should be given in an aeroplane possessing as many features as possible of the operational types is gaining strength. Alternatively there is the school of thought which inclines to the view that the elementary trainer should be of the simplest design and foolproof in operation, the pupil graduating to the high-powered advanced trainer via an "intermediate" type which, although closely approaching the advanced trainer in its similarity to operational aircraft, would be capable of very economical operation and maintenance by relatively unskilled personnel. Such an intermediate training aeroplane should, of course, retain the features of safety and ease of handling usually associated with small training aircraft. Economy in petrol consumption and maintenance work make it important that the engine should be of as low power as possible, consistent with the duties of the aeroplane. These essential features of an intermediate trainer are catered for in the design of the MILES M.28, which is suitable for any engine in the region of 150 h.p. The pronounced difference between the elementary and the advanced trainer is particularly marked for those pilots graduating to multi-engined aircraft. The M.28 has side-by-side seating and enclosed cabin and alternative stick or wheel control. Moreover, the cabin and instrument layout are deliberately very similar to that of the average twin-engined aircraft. In addition, the M.28 has a retractable undercarriage, constant speed airscrew, high-lift extending aerofoil flaps and many other features not previously incorporated in a low-powered training aeroplane. Perhaps the main objection which, in the past, has been raised against side-by-side training aeroplanes has been the restricted view on the side opposite to the pupil or the instructor. In the M.28 this point has received very careful study and the forward view is superior to any type of open cockpit ab. initio training aircraft in current use. Furthermore, large transparent panels have been provided for rearward vision. The MILES M.28 embodies the most complete instrument equipment as a feature of its design, a refinement hitherto not considered necessary in light training types. The standard service blind-flying panel is fitted in addition to a complete set of engine instruments, and in the trainer version the instruments normally associated with supercharged engines are provided.

SPECIALISED APPLICATIONS

THE MILES M.28 can be readily adapted for a number of specialised applications. Among them are field ambulance work, army co-operation, radio and navigational training, aircrew training and freight carrying. As a light freight carrier the M.28 has interesting possibilities because of the very large disposable load/horse power ratio, which works out at 7.3 lb./b.h.p. With fixed pitch wooden airscrew at the maximum designed all-up weight of 2,500 lb. the possible disposable load is 1,100 lb. Thus, allowing 200 lb. for pilot and 170 lb. for fuel and oil, the pay-load is 730 lb. As an example this pay load could be represented by the carrying of two spare Gipsy Major engines and airscrews, 40 Bren guns, nearly 100 gallons of petrol or 70 gallons of water. With constant speed airscrew the M.28 will carry an even greater load without sacrificing take-off run, but the strength factors will be reduced.

As a light ambulance the MILES M.28 will accommodate one stretcher case and an attendant nurse, in addition to the pilot. When adapted for this purpose the cabin will be heavily soundproofed and stretcher supports will be mounted on rubber shock and vibration dampers. A full length 6 foot detachable panel and special track arrangement, combined with the low height of the MILES M.28 will make loading and unloading a relatively simple matter.

AS A COMMUNICATIONS AIRCRAFT

THE need for having on hand a large number of the smaller type of aircraft for inter-station communications and specialised purposes has, until now, been met partly by the utilization of unsuitable service types, and partly by taking over privately owned aircraft; the result is that a great many different types of aircraft are now in use for these purposes, the provisioning and maintenance problems for which must surely present great difficulty. Furthermore, the performance of many of these aircraft is inadequate for such work, and in many cases their comfort leaves a good deal to be desired. Cruising speed and range of the MILES M.28 are considerably in advance of any existing aircraft using the same power plant (Gipsy Major or Cirrus Major engine) and compare favourably with aircraft of much higher power.

The side-by-side cabin is unusually large and is wider at the pilots' seats and higher from the bottom of the seat pan to the roof structure by some inches in comparison with its nearest contemporary.


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