Explorer PG-1 Aqua Glider

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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[]

  • EAA AirVenture Museum - the prototype was donated to the museum in 1970[4][5]

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[]

  1. ^ Federal Aviation Administration (May 2011). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved May 10, 2011.
  2. ^ a b c d Activate Media (2006). "PG-1 Aqua Glider Explorer". Archived from the original on March 8, 2012. Retrieved May 10, 2011.
  3. ^ 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
  4. ^ 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
  5. ^ Federal Aviation Administration (May 2011). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved May 10, 2011.
  6. ^ EAA AirVenture Museum, 2011, Skiliar Aqua Glider “Explorer” – Specifications http://www.airventuremuseum.org/collection/aircraft/Skliar Aqua Glider Specifications.asp, accessed 10 May 2011
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