TRAVEL AIR E-4000
The Travel Air Company was formed January 1925 in Wichita, Kansas by former employees of the Swallow Aircraft Manufacturing Company. The company grew by 1929 to 650 employees working two shifts in a state-of-the-art aircraft production facility. About 1,800 Travel Air aircraft were built in less than half a decade. Most were biplanes, using 16 basic designs. Travel Air officers included Clyde Cessna, Walter Beech, and Lloyd Stearman, who later formed their own well-known aircraft companies.
Travel Air 4000
The Travel Air 4000 E model was designed to compete with inexpensive World War I surplus Standards and Curtiss “Jennies.” Its major feature was a forward cockpit wide enough to accommodate two passengers (at least by 1929 standards!). Its rugged landing gear used rubber “bungee” shock cords, allowing landings on unimproved fields.
NC622H
| Built | 1929 |
| Restored | 2008 |
Engine
The R-680 was Lycoming’s first aircraft engine. Introduced in 1929, the R-680 was very reliable and stayed in production until after World War II. Over 26,000 were built.
| Lycoming | R680 17B4E |
| Horse Power | 220 hp |
| Propeller | Prog Mc Cauly |
Speed
| Max | 120 mph / 190 kmh |
| Cruise Speed | 90 mph / 140 kmh |
| Stall Speed | 45 mph / 70 kmh |
| Approach Speed | 70 mph / 110 kmh |
Weight
| Max | 2700 lbs / 1200 kg |
| Empty | 1695 lbs / 770 kg |
| Useful Load | 1005 lbs / 455 kg |
| Payload with full Fuel (67 Gallons) | 603 lbs / 274 kg |
Fuel
| Gallons | 67 gl / 250ltr |
| Fuel / hr | 50 ltr/h |
| Range | 500 miles / 800 km |