DL-2A

The DL‑2A, introduced by Detroit Aircraft in 1964, represents the company's most successful attempt to blend short‑range utility performance with rugged reliability. Developed in response to a growing demand from regional airlines and government agencies for a versatile twin‑engine transport, the DL‑2A evolved from the earlier DL‑2 prototype, incorporating a reinforced all‑metal airframe, a pressurized cabin, and more powerful Lycoming GSO‑480 turboprop engines delivering 1,200 shaft‑horsepower each. Its 30‑foot wings feature leading‑edge slats and double‑slotted flaps, granting a low stall speed of 68 knots and enabling operation from unpaved strips as short as 2,200 feet. The aircraft accommodates up to 18 passengers or equivalent cargo, with configurable seating and a rear cargo ramp that can be lowered in under ten seconds. Advanced avionics, including a dual‑channel autopilot and weather radar, gave the DL‑2A a reputation for safety and all‑weather capability. Over the next two decades more than 250 units were delivered worldwide, serving remote communities, medevac missions, and short‑haul commuter routes. Its enduring legacy lies in proving that a modestly sized, twin‑turboprop could combine economic efficiency with rugged field performance, influencing subsequent designs such as the modern Dash‑8 series.

Detroit Aircraft

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Production & History

Design & Classification