Beechcraft Sport B19
Two-seat (optional four-seat) Cabin Sporting and Training Monoplane

Archive Photos

1973 Beechcraft B19 Musketeer Sport (N24682, s/n MB-572) at the 2008 Camarillo Air Show, Camarillo, California

Overview

In December 1971, Beech introduced a new light aircraft marketing program centered around three models, which were given individual exterior paint schemes and re-named from their previous Musketeer designations. The new names for these aircraft were Beechcraft Sierra A24R (formerly Musketeer Super R), Sundowner C23 (formerly Musketeer Custom) and Sport B19 (formerly Musketeer Sport). The fourth aircraft in the former Musketeer line, the Super, was discontinued at the end of 1971 after a total of 367 had been built.

These three aircraft have a cabin door on the portside of the fuselage, the Sport B19 thus becoming the only US low-wing trainer with cabin doors on each side. Offered as standard equipment on the 1973 models were a new quadrant for the engine controls, new low-profile instrument panel to improve visibility, padded glare shield, safety contour door handles and improved door latching system, automotive-type inner door latch handles, inertia-reel shoulder restraint belts for front seats, and restyled Bonanza-type interiors. The 1973 Sierra featured a 24 × 30 in (0.61 × 0.76 m) rear door on the portside of the fuselage for easier passenger or cargo loading.

Design Details

Details of the three models are as follows:

Sundowner C23: Basic four-seat version with 180 hp Lycoming 0-360-A4J engine, driving a McCauley Type 1A170/EFA76-56- two-blade fixed-pitch metal propeller, and non-retractable landing gear. Aerobatic version is approved for rolls, Immelmann turns, loops, spins, chandelles and other maneuvers, carrying two persons.

Sport B19: Two-seat (optional four-seat) sporting and training version with 150 hp Lycoming 0-320-E2D engine, driving a Sensenich 74 OM6S5-0-58 two-blade fixed-pitch metal propeller, and non-retractable landing gear. Aerobatic version is approved for rolls, Immelmann turns, loops, spins, chandelles and other maneuvers, carrying two persons.

Sierra A24R: Generally similar to the Sundowner, but with accommodation for four to six persons, a 200 hp Lycoming 10-360-AIB or -AID engine, driving a McCauley Type 2D34C9/78 FBM-15 two-blade metal constant-speed propeller, and retractable tricycle landing gear. Electrically-actuated hydraulic system based on a self contained unit in the rear fuselage, comprising electrically-driven hydraulic pump, fluid reservoir and valves. An emergency valve, sited adjacent to the pilot’s feet, allows selection of the landing gear to free-fall within three seconds. Main wheels retract outward into wings, nosewheel turns through 90° as it retracts rearwards. Four windows standard on each side of cabin.

Factory Installed Options

New factory-installed optional equipment packages were as follows:

• Weekender: Included sun visors; lighting group comprising rotating beacon, navigation, cabin dome, overhead instrument and map lights; cabin boarding steps; dual controls and pedal operated brakes for co-pilot; adding 18 lb (8.16 kg) to basic empty weight.
• Holiday: As above, plus wing-mounted landing light; 35Ah battery; instrument group comprising 3 in horizon and directional gyros with vacuum system, turn coordinator, rate-of-climb indicator, 8-day clock, and outside air temperature gauge; adding 37 lb (16.8 kg) to basic empty weight.
• Professional: As above, plus wing-mounted taxi light; heated pitot tube; electrically-operated tailplane trim and control wheel switch; tinted windscreen and windows; two headrests and instrument post lights; adding 44 lb (20 kg) to basic empty weight.

Factory-installed optional avionics packages were as follows (a cabin speaker, microphone with jack, antennae and wiring are common to all seven):

• Package 1 — Narco Com 10A 360-channel communications transceiver with Nav 10A 200-channel navigation frequency selector, and VOR/LOC indicator, adding 8 lb (3.6 kg) to basic empty weight.
• Package 2 — Narco Com 11 360-channel transceiver, Narco Nav 11 200-channel navigation receiver/converter and VOR/LOC indicator, Narco AT-50 transponder, Narco PDF-35 ADF system with remote indicator, Edo-Aire Mitchell Century I stabilization system, adding 20 lb (9.1 kg) to basic empty weight.
• Package 3 — As No 1 plus No 2, with King KMA-20 audio panel, amplifier and 3-light marker beacon receiver, and radio tracker for stabilization system, adding 32 lb (14.5 kg) to basic empty weight.
• Package 4 — Dual Narco Com 11 360-channel transceivers, Narco Nav 11 200-channel navigation receiver/converter and, VOR/LOC indicator, Narco Nav 12 200-channel navigation receiver/converter and, VOR/ILS indicator, Narco UGR2A glideslope receiver, King KMA-20 audio panel, amplifier and 3-light marker beacon receiver, Narco AT-50 transponder, Narco PDF35 ADF system with remote indicator, and Edo-Aire Mitchell Century I stabilization system, adding 41 lb (18.6 kg) to basic empty weight.
• Package 5 — King KX-170A nav/com (360-channel communications and 200-channel navigation) with KI-201C VOR/LOC converter-indicator, adding 12 lb (5.4 kg) to basic empty weight.
• Package 6 — As No. 5, plus King KT-78 transponder, King KR-85 ADF with KI-225 indicator and Edo-Aire Mitchell Century I stabilization system, adding 21 lb (9.5 kg) to basic empty weight.
• Package 7 — Dual King KX-170A nav/coms (360 channel communications and 200-channel navigation) with dual KI-201C VOR/LOC converter indicators, King KMA-20 audio panel, amplifier and 3-light marker beacon receiver, King KT-75 transponder, King KR-85 ADF with KI-225 indicator, and Edo-Aire Mitchell Century I stabilization system with radio tracker, adding 33 lb (15 kg) to basic empty weight.

Production was centered in Beech’s Liberal, Kansas, plant. A total of 2,459 Musketeers, Sundowners, Sports and Sierras had been delivered by the end of 1972. They included 20 aircraft delivered to the Mexican government for military pilot training, as well as 25 for the Canadian Armed Forces which were delivered in 1971. In February 1973 it was announced that five US colleges and universities had ordered a total of six Sierra A24Rs for primary training of student pilots and for instrument flight training.

Specifications (Sport B19)

Type

• Two-seat (optional four-seat) Cabin Sporting and Training Monoplane

Wings

• Cantilever low-wing monoplane.
• Wing section NACA 632A415.
• Dihedral 6°: 30’
• Incidence 3° at root, 1° at tip.
• Single extruded main spar at 50% chord.
• Aluminium skin and stringers are bonded to honeycomb Trussgrid ribs on forward 50% of wing; rear 50% of wing is riveted.
• Slotted all-metal riveted ailerons and mechanically-controlled (optionally electrically-actuated) flaps have corrugated skin.
• No trim tabs.
• Plastic wingtips.

Fuselage

• Cabin section has basic keel formed by floor and lower skin, with rolled skin side panels, stringers, a minimum number of bulkheads and structural top.
• Conventional semi-monocoque rear fuselage.

Tail Unit

• Cantilever all-metal structure, with swept vertical surfaces.
• One-piece all-moving horizontal surface with full-span anti-servo tab.
• Optional electric tailplane trim.
• Rudder and aileron controls interconnected for easy cross-country flying.

Landing Gear

• Non-retractable tricycle type.
• Beech rubber-disc shock-absorbers.
• Tube-type tires size 15 × 6-7.5 (optionally 17.5 × 6-7.5); pressure 32 psi (2.25 kg/cm²) on main wheels, 35 psi (2.46 kg/cm²) on nosewheel.
• Cleveland disc-type hydraulic brakes.
• Steerable nosewheel.
• Parking brake.

Power Plant

• One four-cylinder horizontally opposed air-cooled 150 hp Lycoming 0-320-E2D engine.
• Sensenich 74 OM6S5-0-58 two-blade fixed-pitch metal propeller.
• Fuel in two tanks in inboard wing leading-edges, with total capacity of 60 US gallons (227 liters).
• Refueling points above tanks.
• Oil capacity 2 US gallons (7.5 liters).

Accommodation

• Pilot and one to three passengers in pairs, in enclosed cabin.
• Door on each side of cabin.
• Compartment for 270 lb (122 kg) baggage, with external door on starboard side.
• In-flight adjustable seats, pilot’s storm window, windscreen defroster, instrument panel glare shield, air vents, map stowage, wall-to-wall carpeting.
• Optional aerobatic kit includes g meter and quick-release door.

Systems

• Electrical system supplied by 60A self-exciting alternator, 12V 25Ah battery.
• Hydraulic system for brakes only.
• Vacuum system for instruments optional.

Electronics and Equipment

• Standard equipment includes stall warning system, ventilation, heating and defrosting system; tow-bar; tie down rings; control lock and pitot cover.
• Optional equipment and avionics as listed earlier.
• Additional optional equipment includes rear cabin "family seat" installation, cabin fire extinguisher, internal corrosion proofing, heavy-duty tires and electrically-operated flaps.

Dimensions (external)

• Wing chord (constant): 4 ft ¾ in (1.34 m)
• Wing aspect ratio: 7.5
• Length overall: 25 ft 8½ in (7.84 m)
• Height overall: 8 ft 3 in (2.51 m)
• Tailplane span: 10 ft 8 in (3.25 m)
• Wheel track: 11 ft 10 in (3.61 m)
• Wheelbase: 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
• Propeller diameter: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
• Passenger door height: 3 ft 2 in (0.97 m)
• Passenger door width: 3 ft 4 in (1.03 m)

Dimensions (internal)

• Cabin, aft of instrument panel:
• Length: 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
• Max width 3 ft 8 in (1.18 m)
• Max height 4 ft 0½ in (1.22 m)
• Baggage compartment: 28.8 ft³ (0.82 m³)

Areas

• Wings, gross: 146 ft² (13.57 m²)
• Ailerons (total): 9.9 ft² (0.92 m²)
• Flaps (total): 18.7 ft² (1.74 m²)
• Fin: 10.61 ft² (0.99 m²)
• Rudder: 4.62 ft² (0.43 m²)
• Tailplane, including anti-servo tab: 27.0 ft² (2.51 m²)

Weights and Loadings

• Weight empty: 1,390 lb (630 kg)
• Max T-O weight: 2,250 lb (1,020 kg)
• T-O weight, Utility category: 2,030 lb (920 kg)
• Max wing loading: 15.14 lb/ft² (73.9 kg/m²)
• Max power loading: 15.00 lb/hp (6.8 kg/hp)

Performance at Maximum T-O Weight

• Maximum speed at S/L: 122 knots (140 mph; 225 km/h)
• Maximum cruising speed (75% power) at 7,000 ft (2,135 m): 114 knots (131 mph; 211 km/h)
• Economy cruising speed (55% power) at 10,000 ft (3,050 m): 98 knots (113 mph; 182 km/h)
• Stalling speed, flaps down, power off: 49 knots (56 mph; 91 km/h)
• Rate of climb at S/L: 700 ft/min (213 m/min)
• Service ceiling: 11,100 ft (3,380 m)
• Minimum ground turning radius: 22 ft 4 in (6.81 m)
• Take-off run: 903 ft (275 m)
• Take-off to 50 ft (15 m): 1,626 ft (496 m)
• Landing from 50 ft (15 m): 1,134 ft (346 m)
• Landing run: 491 ft (150 m)
• Range with max fuel, allowances for warm-up, T-O, climb and 45 min fuel reserve:
• 75% power at 7,500 ft (2,285 m): 666 nm (767 miles; 1,235 km)
• 55% power at 10,500 ft (3,200 m): 766 nm (883 miles; 1,420 km)

References

1. Shupek, John. Photos via The Skytamer Archive, copyright © 2009 Skytamer Images, All Rights Reserved.
2. Taylor, John W.R. (ed.) Jane’s All The World’s Aircraft 1973-74. New York: Jane’s Yearbooks, McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1973, ISBN 07-032021-7.