PZL M-25 Dromader Mikro

The PZL M-25 Dromader Mikro (Dromader is Polish for "Dromedary") is an unbuilt project for a single engine agricultural aircraft, developed in the 1980s by the WSK-Mielec (later PZL-Mielec) from the PZL-Mielec M-18 Dromader.^[1] It did not progress beyond the design stage.^[1]

During the 1980s, PZL developed a range of agricultural aircraft optimised for larger and smaller areas of land than their successful M-18 Dromader.^[2][3] These included the downsized M-21 Dromader Mini and the enlarged M-24 Dromader Super, both of which flew in prototype form.^[2][3] The M-25 Dromader Mikro would have been the smallest of the family.^[2][3]

It was intended not only for aerial spraying, but to direct aerial spraying operations.^[4] PZL hoped it might replace other small agricultural aircraft in widespread use in Comecon countries, such as the PZL-101 Gawron and Zlin Z 37.^[4] However, by 1988, the project was abandoned along with the M-21 and M-24 as the company did not have sufficient capacity to manufacture additional designs.^[4]

The M-25 was designed as a conventional, low-wing cantilever monoplane with fixed, tailwheel undercarriage.^[2] Construction was to be metal throughout. It would have been equipped with a single seat in an enclosed cabin.^[2] Power would be supplied by a single PZL AI-14 radial engine mounted tractor-fashion in the nose.^[2]

Data from Glass 1983, p.6; performance calculations from PZL M25 Dromader Mikro, p.34

General characteristics

• Crew: 1 pilot
• Capacity: 500 kg (1,100 lb) of chemicals
• Length: 7.6 m (24 ft 11 in)
• Wingspan: 11.6 m (38 ft 1 in)
• Height: 3.2 m (10 ft 6 in)
• Wing area: 17 m² (180 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 1,000 kg (2,205 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 1,650 kg (3,638 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × PZL AI-14 9-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 206 kW (276 hp)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 214 km/h (133 mph, 116 kn)
• Cruise speed: 204 km/h (127 mph, 110 kn)
• Range: 1,200 km (750 mi, 650 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 3,750 m (12,300 ft)
• Rate of climb: 4 m/s (790 ft/min)

Related development

• PZL-Mielec M-18 Dromader
• PZL-Mielec M-21 Dromader Mini
• PZL-Mielec M-24 Dromader Super
• Ayres Thrush

• Glass, Andrzej (May 1983). "Airplanes manufactured at PZL-Mielec". Technika lotnicze i astronautyczna. Vol. 38, no. 5. Warsaw: Stowarzyszenie Inżynierów i Techników Mechaników Polskich. pp. 6–7.
• Glass, Andrzej (2009). "Samoloty rolnicze" [Agricultural aircraft]. Polska Technika Lotnicza: Materiały historyczne. No. 1. Warsaw: Klub Miłośników Historii Polskiej Techniki Lotniczej.
• Luto, Krzysztof. "PZL M25 "Dromader Mikro", 1986". Samoloty w Lotnictwie Polskim.
• PZL M21 Lama (Report). PZL Mielec. 1983.
• Simpson, R. W. (1995). Airlife's General Aviation. Shrewsbury: Airlife Publishing.