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Hermanspann Chinook

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Chinook
Role Glider
National origin United States
Designer Fred Hermanspann and Art Penz
First flight 1993
Status Production completed
Number built One

The Hermanspann Chinook is an American mid-wing, two-seat, experimental research glider that was designed and constructed by Fred Hermanspann and Art Penz.[1][2]

Design and development

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The Chinook and its improved variant, the Chinook S, have been used to study the effect of rain on airfoils and also stall dynamics.[1]

The aircraft is predominantly made from aluminium with the cockpit area made from fiberglass. Its 57 ft (17.4 m) span high aspect ratio wing employs a Wortmann FX67-K-170/17 airfoil. Glidepath control is via hydraulically operated trailing edge flaps that deflect 80°. The landing gear consists of hydraulically retractable nose gear and main gear. The vertical stabilizer is highly swept.[1][3]

The improved Chinook S features an improved wing tip design, system and structure refinements and a BRS-1200 ballistic parachute.[citation needed]

Only one Chinook was constructed and it was registered with the US Federal Aviation Administration in the Experimental - Amateur-built category.[1][2]

Operational history

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In March 2015 the Chinook was still registered with the FAA to Hermanspann.[2]

After the conclusion of a number of research projects including about rain effects, performance measurements and stall dynamics, the sailplane was being employed extensively through 2015 for cross-country flying, having made a total of five crossings of the Cacscade mountains and having set four Washington state soaring records.[citation needed]

Variants

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Chinook
Original configuration, first flown in 1993.[1][2]
Chinook S
Improved configuration, first flown in 1996.[1]

Specifications (Chinook S)

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Data from Sailplane Directory[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: one passenger
  • Wingspan: 57 ft (17 m)
  • Wing area: 143 sq ft (13.3 m2)
  • Aspect ratio: 22.7
  • Airfoil: Wortmann FX67-K-170/17
  • Empty weight: 630 lb (286 kg)
  • Gross weight: 1,050 lb (476 kg)

Performance

  • Maximum glide ratio: 40:1 at 61 mph (98 km/h)
  • Rate of sink: 144 ft/min (0.73 m/s)
  • Wing loading: 7.34 lb/sq ft (35.8 kg/m2)

See also

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Related lists

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g Activate Media (2006). "Chinook S Hermanspann". Archived from the original on August 29, 2012. Retrieved August 14, 2011.
  2. ^ a b c d Federal Aviation Administration (March 21, 2015). "Make / Model Inquiry Results N100FH". Retrieved March 21, 2015.
  3. ^ Lednicer, David (2010). "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". Archived from the original on August 6, 2013. Retrieved August 14, 2011.