Stephens Akro
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Manufacturer: Stephens Model: Akro Span: 7.4676m / 25ft Year: 1970 Length: 5.81558m / 19ft Height: 1.72822m / 6ft Wing Area: 8.7326m² / 94ft² Short Title: Stephens Akro Empty Weight: 385.56kg / 850lbs Gross Weight: 544.32kg / 1,200lbs Maximum Speed: 362.025km/h Cruise Speed: 233.305km/h / 145mph Power Plant: One modified Lycoming 210 h.p. engine Registration: N78JN Range: 563.15km / 350miles Serial Number: 434   |
Stephens Akro Clayton Stephens designed the Akro specifically for homebuilders who want a plane for competitive aerobatics. The late Margaret Ritchie, 1966 U.S. Women's Aerobatic Champion, flew the prototype. The Akro's wooden wings and fabric-covered steel tube fuselage might seem flimsy, but it's rated to +12 g and -11 g -- meaning the plane can withstand the violent stresses of aerobatic maneuvers. The Akro design is the basis for the development of many modified mid-wing aerobatic planes, such as the Lasers, Ravens, and Extras seen on the air show circuit today. The Museum's example was built by Gerry Zimmerman with a modified Lycoming 210-horsepower engine and became the first amateur-built Akro to fly in 1971. Purchased by Joann Osterud in 1976, the plane is a veteran of hundreds of aerobatic performances. Osterud donated the Akro in 1994. Joann Osterud learned to fly here at Boeing Field and now performs magnificent maneuvers like hammerhead turns, tail-slides, and lomcevaks (tumbling end over end) on the air show circuit. Osterud also has a second aviation career -- she was the first woman pilot hired by Alaska Airlines. |
