AVA-303 Agricultural Airplane (M18-B Dromader)

 

In our challenge to fulfill the needs for an agricultural airplane, the manufacturing of M18-B Dromader in a joint program scheme with P.Z.L of Poland was planned.

   For agricultural use & fire-fighting, this single-engine, low-wing, all-metal monoplane, features a tricycle fixed type main gear with a tail wheel, and hopper located forward of cockpit. The airplane is designed for operation from unpaved airstrips of 3.5 kg/cm² ground capacity. A single pilot crew, with provision for transportation of one person of the ground maintenance personnel. The “DROMADER” is designed primarily for agricultural operation of large field areas (crop treatment and fertilizing) also forest, brush and crop fire fighting. The type displays outstandingly high productivity and low field working cost. Built for compliance with the requirements of FAR 23, the “DROMADER” holds, besides Polish TC, certificates of 14 foreign airworthiness authorities, including the US (FAA), Canadian, French, Spanish, Brazilian, Italian, and others.

Mission

	Forest, brush, and crop fire fighting with "Water-Bombing"
	Line -drop spraying for fire-barrier production (extinguishing load splitting)
	Patrolling (with fire -retardant in hopper) over forest areas of high fire hazard.
	Total forest protection: pest control, fire fighting fertilizing and reclamation of excessive acidity land.
	Crop protection against plant diseases and pests (standard or ULV spraying)
	Reclamation of contaminated soil (e.g. oil spills)
	Reclamation of mine and open pit waste-heaps, iron mill & heat plant waste , slag and ash dumps.
	Seeding (rice, wheat, grass)

Specification and performance characteristics