Flight, February 1941

TWO AMERICAN TRAINERS
The Ryan ST-3 and Howard DGA-125 Make Their Appearance

The Howard DGA-125

  Another American trainer of low-wing monoplane design, of slightly larger dimensions and loaded weight than the Ryan, is the Howard DGA-125. This has been designed especially as a primary trainer for secondary and instructor courses of the Civilian Pilot Training Programme. Although "stressed" for higher-powered engines and military aerobatics; the Howard will generally be supplied with the 125-h.p. Warner Scarab, Series 50, a 7-cylindered air-cooled radial.
  The engine accessory compartment and the cockpit are metal covered but the fuselage aft of the cockpit is of chrome molybdenum steel tubing with fabric covering. Wings and other aerodynamic surfaces are reported as of "plastic" construction; this presumably means that they are covered with plywood bonded with a synthetic resinoid adhesive and perhaps pre-moulded to shape.
  Weights are: empty, 1,350 lb. ; disposable, 607 lb.; total loaded weight, 1,957 lb. (but the aeroplane has been designed for a weight of 2,000 lb.). Power loading is 15.7 lb./h.p., and wing loading 11.0 lb./sq. ft.
  The span is 34ft., length 26ft. 6in., and height 7ft. 3in. Landing gear tread is 113 1/2 in. and the brakes are hydraulic. The surface areas are: wing, 179.5 sq. ft.; ailerons, 20.2; tailplane, 10.7; elevator, 11.9; rudder, 6.7; and fin,
9.2 sq. it.
  The performance figures, which are corrected to standard atmospheric conditions and guaranteed by the maker to within 3 per cent., are as follows:
Maximum speed 118 m.p.h.
Cruising speed at 75 per cent, power 108 m.p.h.
Landing speed 50 m.p.h.
Cruising range 365 miles.
Endurance at 75 per cent, power 3 1/2 hrs.
Climb in first minute after take-off 800ft.
Climb to 5,000ft. 94 min.
Take-off run 650ft.
Service ceiling 13,500ft.

  As in the Ryan, the tail wheel is steerable and a trimming tab is provided on the elevator. This aeroplane is the product of a firm which has had considerable experience in the design of low-wing monoplanes and Mister Mulligan is a name which has not been forgotten as a racer of recent years in U.S.A. Both aeroplanes, as modern interpretations of the low-wing formula, should make good trainers.