The Wiederkehr GHW-1 Cu-Climber is an American, high-wing, single-seat glider that was designed by George H. Wiederkehr and first flown in 1968.[1][2]
| GHW-1 Cu-Climber | |
|---|---|
| Role | Glider |
| National origin | United States |
| Designer | George H. Wiederkehr |
| First flight | 1968 |
| Introduction | 1968 |
| Status | Sole example still flying |
| Number built | One |
Design and development
editThe Cu-Climber is an original design and is of mixed construction, with the fuselage of fibreglass with foam bulkheads, forming a semi-monocoque structure. The wings are a fiberglass and balsa sandwich, with fibreglass skin, except aft of the spar on the under-surface where aircraft fabric covering is employed. The wing also features a large 12 inch (30 cm) X 6 inch (15 cm) box spar that is made from spruce, plywood and fiberglass, which is stressed to +9.6/-6.3 g. The wing employs a Pfenninger 14% airfoil.[1][2][3]
The control surfaces include an all flying tail fitted with an anti-servo tab and full-span ailerons of very short chord that act as flaps when drooped for glidepath control. The landing gear is a fixed monowheel that is faired to reduce drag.[1][2]
The aircraft's designation of GHW-1 indicates the designer's initials. Unusually the aircraft is registered with the Federal Aviation Administration simply as Amateur Built 68 glider. Only one example was ever constructed.[1][2][3]
Operational history
editIn 1983 Soaring Magazine reported that the GHW-1 was being regularly flown and that the designer was constructing a new GHW-2. In May 2011 the GHW-1 was still registered to Wiederkehr. The GHW-2 was completed and in May 2011 was owned by Anthony C. Wiederkehr.[2][3][4]
Specifications (GHW-1)
editData from Sailplane Directory and Soaring[1][2]
General characteristics
- Crew: One
- Wingspan: 47 ft 7 in (14.50 m)
- Wing area: 127 sq ft (11.8 m2)
- Airfoil: Pfenninger 14%
- Empty weight: 480 lb (218 kg)
- Gross weight: 700 lb (318 kg)
Performance
- Maximum glide ratio: 28 to 32:1 (estimated) at 55-60 mph (89-97 km/h)
- Rate of sink: 126 ft/min (0.64 m/s) to 150 fpm (0.76 m/s) (estimated) at 44-50 mph (71-80 km/h)
- Wing loading: 5.5 lb/sq ft (27 kg/m2)
See also
editRelated lists
References
edit- ^ a b c d e Activate Media (2006). "Cu-Climber GHW-1 Wederkehr". Retrieved May 13, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f Said, Bob: 1983 Sailplane Directory, Soaring Magazine, page 43. Soaring Society of America November 1983. USPS 499-920
- ^ a b c Federal Aviation Administration (May 2011). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved May 13, 2011.
- ^ Federal Aviation Administration (May 2011). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved May 15, 2011.