Laister LP-15 Nugget

The Laister LP-15 Nugget is an American single-seat, high-wing glider designed by Jack and Bill Laister for the FAI Standard Class.[1][2]

LP-15 Nugget
Role Glider
National origin United States
Manufacturer Laister Sailplanes
Designer Jack and Bill Laister
Status Production completed
Number built 15

Design and development

Designed in the 1970s, the Nugget was intended to compete with the new European fiberglass gliders that were beginning to appear, and as such incorporated mixed construction methods. The fuselage is built with a fiberglass cockpit area, with the fuselage aft of the wing trailing edge made from aluminum. The wing is of Chem-weld bonded aluminum construction, the bonding replacing rivets in an attempt to get a surface as smooth and wave-free as fiberglass. The wing employs a Wortmann FX 67 170/150 airfoil and has flaps. The long span flaps serve both as speed-range drag reducing camber changing devices and full deflection high-lift/high-drag landing flaps. The aircraft can carry up to 185 lb (84 kg) of water ballast in a center fuselage tank, located at the center of gravity. The landing gear is a retractible monowheel.[1][2]

Even though several sources report that the LP-15 was type certified, no type certificate was ever filed for it and all aircraft are registered as Experimental-Racing, Experimental-Exhibition or Experimental-Amateur-built. The LP in the designation indicates Laister Products and the model number is the wingspan in metres.[1][2][3][4]

Operational history

As of January 2016 there were still 9 LP-15 Nuggets registered in the USA.[3]

Aircraft on display

Specifications (LP-15)
Laister LP-15 Nugget

Data from Sailplane Directory and Soaring[1][2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Wingspan: 49 ft 3 in (15.0 m)
  • Wing area: 109 sq ft (10.1 m2)
  • Aspect ratio: 22.2:1
  • Airfoil: Wortmann FX 67 170/150
  • Empty weight: 425 lb (193 kg)
  • Gross weight: 900 lb (408 kg) including 185 lb (84 kg) of water ballast

Performance

  • Maximum glide ratio: 36.5:1 at 58 mph (93 km/h)
  • Rate of sink: 130 ft/min (0.66 m/s) at 49 mph (79 km/h)
  • Wing loading: 8.25 lb/sq ft (40.3 kg/m2) with full water ballast
gollark: I thought RotaryCraft did steel?
gollark: I like it myself, and it is an interesting gating mechanism, but it doesn't work massively well with the kitchensinky other stuff.
gollark: It does give direction.
gollark: By lighter I mean computer-friendlier.
gollark: I'd probably enjoy it more if it was lighter.

See also

References
  1. Activate Media (2006). "Nugget LP-15 Laister". Archived from the original on 1 February 2013. Retrieved 28 March 2011.
  2. Said, Bob: 1983 Sailplane Directory, Soaring Magazine, page 14. Soaring Society of America, November 1983. USPS 499-920
  3. Federal Aviation Administration (2 January 2016). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  4. Federal Aviation Administration (March 2011). "Type Certificate Data Sheet Search". Retrieved 28 March 2011.
  5. National Soaring Museum (2011). "Sailplanes in Our Collection". Archived from the original on 16 May 2011. Retrieved 26 February 2011.
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