Explorer PG-1 Aqua Glider
PG-1 Aqua Glider | |
---|---|
Role | Glider |
National origin | United States |
Manufacturer | |
Designer | |
First flight | 1959 |
Introduction | 1959 |
Number built | at least four[1] |
The Explorer PG-1 Aqua Glider is an American single seat, biplane glider that was designed by in 1959 and made available as plans for amateur construction. The prototype was built with help from a troop of Air Explorer Scouts that same year.[2][3][4]
Design and development[]
Skiliar was a Colonel in the USAF and an aeronautical engineer and test pilot. He designed the Aqua Glider to be towed behind a boat, taking off from the water, releasing the tow rope and then gliding to a landing on the water.[2][3][4]
The Aqua Glider is made from wood and covered with doped aircraft fabric. The landing gear is fixed and consists of a pair of water skis. The aircraft uses spoilers instead of ailerons for roll control and features an all-flying tail and a trim system. The biplane wing employs a NACA 4412 airfoil.[2][3][4]
The aircraft is towed behind a ski tow boat, lifting off at 35 mph (56 km/h) and climbing to about 200 ft (61 m), depending on the length of the tow rope used. The aircraft does not stall, but enters a nose-high mushing condition with a slow rate of descent.[3][4]
Plans were sold for US$25 by of Venice, Florida and completed aircraft cost about US$800 in materials in 1983.[3]
Skiliar made several modifications to the design, experimenting with landing gear for land use made from automobile leaf springs. He also created a powered version with two go-cart engines mounted in the aft fuselage behind the wing spar, with the propeller above the engines on a streamlined pylon that housed the drive chains. The powered version was not successful and was returned to glider configuration.[4]
Operational history[]
By 1983 the prototype had flown over a thousand flights and plans had been widely sold in the United States and many other countries.[3]
Aircraft on display[]
Specifications (variant specified)[]
Data from Sailplane Directory, Soaring and EAA[2][3][6]
General characteristics
- Crew: One
- Length: 13 ft 8 in (4.17 m)
- Wingspan: 16 ft 0 in (4.88 m)
- Wing area: 95 sq ft (8.8 m2)
- Aspect ratio: 5:1
- Airfoil: NACA 4412
- Empty weight: 180 lb (82 kg)
- Gross weight: 400 lb (181 kg)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 65 mph (105 km/h, 56 kn)
- Stall speed: 35 mph (56 km/h, 30 kn)
- Maximum glide ratio: 6/5:1 at 45 mph (72 km/h)
- Wing loading: 4.5 lb/sq ft (22 kg/m2)
See also[]
Related lists
References[]
- ^ Federal Aviation Administration (May 2011). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved May 10, 2011.
- ^ a b c d Activate Media (2006). "PG-1 Aqua Glider Explorer". Archived from the original on March 8, 2012. Retrieved May 10, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g Said, Bob: 1983 Sailplane Directory, Soaring Magazine, page 40. Soaring Society of America November 1983. USPS 499-920
- ^ a b c d e f EAA AirVenture Museum, 2011, Skiliar Aqua Glider “Explorer” – N6498D http://www.airventuremuseum.org/collection/aircraft/Skliar Aqua Glider.asp, accessed 10 May 2011
- ^ Federal Aviation Administration (May 2011). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved May 10, 2011.
- ^ EAA AirVenture Museum, 2011, Skiliar Aqua Glider “Explorer” – Specifications http://www.airventuremuseum.org/collection/aircraft/Skliar Aqua Glider Specifications.asp, accessed 10 May 2011
- 1950s United States sailplanes