Luenger Beta 1

The Luenger Beta 1 was an American high-wing, single-seat, T-tailed FAI Open Class glider designed by Hans Luenger and Spud Kohler.[1][2]

Beta 1
Role Glider
National origin United States
Designer Hans Luenger and Spud Kohler
Introduction 1972
Number built One

Design and development

The Beta was intended to become America's first production fiberglass sailplane. The design work was done by Luenger and Kohler in 1967 in Cleveland, Ohio. When the fuselage was completed a Federal Aviation Administration inspector informed the pair that the aircraft would not qualify to be sold as an amateur-built kit and that the design would require type certification. At that time this would have required an investment of US$250,000 and as a result Kohler withdrew from the project, leaving Luenger to complete the prototype. The prototype was registered as an amateur-built in 1972, but no further aircraft were completed.[1][2][3][4]

The Beta 1 was constructed predominantly from fiberglass, with the wing covered in plywood with a .030 in (1 mm) layer of fiberglass cloth and resin over that. The wing featured terminal velocity Schempp-Hirth style dive brakes and a Wortmann FX 61-184 airfoil becoming an FX 61-160 at the tip. The fuselage was a pod-and-boom design, with fully reclined pilot seating, a fixed monowheel landing gear and T-tail.[1][2][5]

Soaring Magazine reported in 1983 that the sole Beta 1 had been donated to the National Soaring Museum along with all its tooling, but as of May 2011 it was not listed in their collection. The aircraft's registration with the FAA was cancelled in April 2011 and it is currently displayed in the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum.[1][2][3][4][6]

Specifications (Beta)

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

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Wingspan: 55 ft 9 in (17 m)
  • Wing area: 140 sq ft (13 m2)
  • Aspect ratio: 22.3
  • Airfoil: Root: Wortmann FX 61-184, Tip: FX 61-160 at the tip
  • Empty weight: 690 lb (313 kg)
  • Gross weight: 910 lb (413 kg)

Performance

  • Maximum glide ratio: 38:1 at 58 mph (93 km/h)
  • Rate of sink: 120 ft/min (0.61 m/s) at 47 mph (76 km/h)
  • Wing loading: 6.06 lb/sq ft (29.6 kg/m2)
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See also

Related development

Related lists

References
  1. Activate Media (2006). "Beta 1 Luenger". Archived from the original on 8 May 2002. Retrieved 23 May 2011.
  2. Said, Bob: 1983 Sailplane Directory, Soaring Magazine, page 46. Soaring Society of America November 1983. USPS 499-920
  3. Federal Aviation Administration (May 2011). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved 23 May 2011.
  4. Federal Aviation Administration (May 2011). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved 23 May 2011.
  5. Lednicer, David (2006). "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". Archived from the original on 20 April 2010. Retrieved 23 May 2011.
  6. National Soaring Museum (2011). "Sailplanes in Our Collection". Archived from the original on 16 May 2011. Retrieved 23 May 2011.
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