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Civil Aviation Department RG-1 Rohini

The Civil Aviation Department RG-1 Rohini (Literally means Tropic Bird)[1] is an Indian two-seat training sailplane of the 1960s. A high-winged wooden monoplane, with side-by-side seating;at least 107 were built.

RG-1 Rohini
Role Training sailplane
National origin India
Manufacturer Veegal Engines and Engineering/Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
Designer S Ramamritham
First flight 10 May 1961
Number built 107

Development and design

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The Technical Centre of the Indian Civil Aviation Department is its research and development arm, and started design and production of sailplanes in 1950. In the early 1960s S Ramamritham designed a two-seat training sailplane, the RG-1 Rohini, the first of four prototypes flying on 10 May 1961.[2] The Rohini is a monoplane of wooden construction, with a braced high wing and a low mounted tail positioned forward of the fin. Its crew of two sit side by side in an open cockpit, while the aircraft's undercarriage consists of a single unsprung wheel under the fuselage, with skids under the nose and tail.[3][4]

A total of 17 Rohinis were built by Veegal Engines and Engineering of Calcutta, with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited building a further 86 RG-1s by 1971.[4]

Specifications (RG-1 Rohini)

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Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1971-72[4] The World's Sailplanes:Die Segelflugzeuge der Welt:Les Planeurs du Monde Volume II[5]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Length: 7.18 m (23 ft 7 in)
  • Wingspan: 16.56 m (54 ft 4 in)
  • Height: 2.33 m (7 ft 8 in)
  • Wing area: 20.76 m2 (223.5 sq ft)
  • Aspect ratio: 13.2:1
  • Airfoil: NACA 4418 at root, NACA 4412 (modified) at tip
  • Empty weight: 274 kg (604 lb)
  • Gross weight: 494 kg (1,089 lb)

Performance

  • Stall speed: 48 km/h (30 mph, 26 kn)
  • Never exceed speed: 184 km/h (114 mph, 99 kn)
  • Aerotow speed: 112 km/h (69.6 mph; 60.5 kn)
  • Winch launch speed: 96 km/h (59.7 mph; 51.8 kn)
  • g limits: +5 -2.5
  • Maximum glide ratio: 21:1 at 77 km/h (47.8 mph; 41.6 kn)
  • Rate of sink: 0.85 m/s (167 ft/min) at 61 km/h (37.9 mph; 32.9 kn)

See also

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Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era Slingsby T.21 Related lists List of gliders

Notes

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  1. ^ "Rohini, Rohiṇi, Rohiṇī, Rohinī: 46 definitions". 12 April 2009.
  2. ^ Taylor, John W. R. (1969). Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1969-70. London: Jane's Yearbooks. p. 541.
  3. ^ Taylor 1971, pp. 505-506.
  4. ^ a b c Taylor, John W. R. (1971). Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1971-72. London: Jane's Yearbooks. pp. 505–506. ISBN 0-354-00094-2.
  5. ^ Shenstone, B.S.; K.G. Wilkinson (1963). The World's Sailplanes:Die Segelflugzeuge der Welt:Les Planeurs du Monde Volume II (in English, French, and German) (1st ed.). Zurich: Organisation Scientifique et Technique Internationale du Vol a Voile (OSTIV) and Schweizer Aero-Revue. pp. 140–141.

References

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  • Shenstone, B.S.; K.G. Wilkinson (1963). The World's Sailplanes:Die Segelflugzeuge der Welt:Les Planeurs du Monde Volume II (in English, French, and German) (1st ed.). Zurich: Organisation Scientifique et Technique Internationale du Vol a Voile (OSTIV) and Schweizer Aero-Revue. pp. 140–141.
  • Taylor, John W. R. (1969). Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1969-70. London: Jane's Yearbooks. p. 541.
  • Taylor, John W. R. (1971). Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1971-72. London: Jane's Yearbooks. pp. 505–506. ISBN 0-354-00094-2.
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