| Chinook | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Type | Glider |
| National origin | United States |
| Designer | |
| Status | Production completed |
| Number built | One |
| History | |
| First flight | 1993 |
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]
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 high aspect ratio wing has a 57 ft (17.4 m) span and 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 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]
As of March 2015, the Chinook was still registered with the FAA to Hermanspann. [2]
After the conclusion of a number of research projects regarding 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 Cascade mountains and having set four Washington state soaring records.[ citation needed ]
Data from Sailplane Directory [1]
General characteristics
Performance
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