TRANSFER OF SAILPLANE TECHNOLOGY INTO THE LIGHT AEROPLANE OF THE FUTURE

Abstract

The transfer of the sailplane technology into the aeroplane in general and the light aeroplane in particular is not a phrophecy it has started already. In about half a century, from the 30's to the 80's, the light aeroplane has changed very little. There is no substantial difference between the "Luscome 8 - Silvaire" and the Cessna 152, 172,182 still in production; or between the Eurocoupe 415 and the Piper PA-38 "Tomahawk" or the Taylorcraft "New Cub" and the Piper "Super-Cub"; or surprisingly, between the Avia LM-5 and the Robin ATL: neither in the general architecture nor in the performance, if related to the specific power installed. In the same period, the sailplane has undergone a striking development. Try to compate the Reiher or the Weihe of the late 30's with the actual Nimbus 3 or ASW-22B. Not only has the best glide ratio more than doubled and the minimum sinking speed improved even at a wing loading almost three timis as high, but the cross-country performance has increased to incomparable levels.