Glasflügel H-301

The Glasflügel H-301 Libelle is an early composite single-seat sailplane produced by Glasflügel from 1964 to 1969. The H-301 had camber-changing wing flaps so was required to compete in the Open Class because the Standard Class excluded wing flaps. It was often known as the Open Class Libelle.

H-301 Libelle
H-301 being launched by winch
General information
Type	15-metre class sailplane
National origin	Germany
Manufacturer	Glasflügel
Number built	111
History
First flight	1964

Development

In 1964 the H-301 Libelle ("Dragonfly") received the first German and first U.S. Type Certificate issued to an all-fiberglass aircraft. It had flaps, water ballast and retractable landing gear.

There are two canopy variants: the normal canopy and a sleeker, lower-profiled 'racing' canopy with no side vent. The canopy is unique in that it has a catch that enables the front to be raised by 25 mm (1 in) in flight to provide a flow of ventilating air instead of the more conventional small sliding panel used for this purpose.

The American Wil Schuemann pioneered several performance-enhancing modifications to the type, including a re-profiled wing, converting the airfoil to a Wortmann section, various fairings, a new canopy and a reshaped fuselage nose. Aircraft incorporating these changes are informally known as 'Schümanised' Libelles.

Design

• Wings: spar and shell of balsa or foam / reinforced plastic sandwich
• Ailerons: balsa or synthetic foam / reinforced plastic sandwich.
• Horizontal stabilizer: reinforced plastic
• Elevator: reinforced plastic
• Automatic connections for airbrakes, flaps and elevator. Ailerons are connected by a "pip" pin

The H-201 Standard Libelle was developed in 1967 as a Standard Class variant.

The Libelle was a popular and influential design. Its light wings and easy rigging set a new benchmark.

Handling is generally easy except that it is sensitive to sideslipping and has relatively ineffective airbrakes that make short landings tricky for inexperienced pilots.

The H-201 Libelle (standard class) was superseded by the Hornet.

The H-301 Libelle (open class) was superseded by the Mosquito.

Specifications

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Capacity: 50 kg (110 lb) water ballast
• Length: 6.19 m (20 ft 4 in)
• Wingspan: 15.00 m (49 ft 3 in)
• Height: 1.25 m (4 ft 1 in)
• Wing area: 9.5 m² (102 sq ft)
• Aspect ratio: 23.6
• Empty weight: 180 kg (400 lb)
• Gross weight: 300 kg (660 lb)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 200 km/h (124 mph, 108 kn)
• Maximum glide ratio: ca. 39
• Rate of sink: 0.55 m/s (108 ft/min)

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

• Bölkow Phoebus
• Schleicher ASW 15
• Standard Cirrus

Related lists

• List of gliders

References

• Thomas F, Fundamentals of Sailplane Design, College Park Press, 1999
• Simons M, Segelflugzeuge 1965–2000, Eqip, 2004
• Sailplane Directory