TeST TST-13 Junior

The TeST TST-13 Junior is a single-seat touring motor glider with a nose-mounted engine, built by TeST in Czech Republic. It is an all composite design which succeeded the TeST TST-9 Junior motor glider in production, incorporating some features of the TeST TST-10 Atlas sailplane, including its wing.[1]

TST-13 Junior
Role Motor glider
National origin Czech Republic
Manufacturer TeST sro (Division of Comp-Let sro), Velké Meziříĉi
Number built 5 by 2007
Developed from TeST TST-9 Junior, TeST TST-10 Atlas

Development and design

TeST introduced the TST-13 single seat motor glider in 2005 as an all-composite replacement for their wood and composite TST-9. It has a similar layout, front engined and with a high T-tail. The TST-13 shares a similar rear fuselage and tail design and identical wing spars with the all-composite TST-10 single seat sailplane. It is a mid wing design with straight tapered wings which, unlike those of the TST-10, are swept forward 5° at 25% chord. The wing tips carry winglets and there are outboard ailerons, two position flaps and upper surface spoilers.[2]

The fuselage of the TST-13 is built from two half shells which incorporate the straight tapered fin. The fuselage tapers rearwards, producing an arched shape below. The tailplane carries a single piece elevator. The light aircraft style cockpit has a rear hinged, single piece canopy and is placed ahead of the wing leading edge. The TST-13 has a tailwheel undercarriage, with spatted mainwheels on fuselage-mounted, sprung, cantilever legs.[2]

There is a choice of two engines: either a 31 kW (42 hp) Rotax 447 or a 37 kW (50 hp) Rotax 503.[2] The 447 drives a propeller which is only adjustable in pitch on the ground, but that of the 503, geared down 2:1, can be feathered in flight. Feathering improves the best glide ratio from 1:24 to 1:32. The greater power of the Rotax 503 increases the cruising speed by about 10 km/h and the climb rate to about 6 m/s (1,200 ft/min).[3]

Operational history

5 TST-13s had been built by 2007.[2] In mid-2010 2 appeared on civil aircraft registers of European countries west of Russia.[4] The TST-13 is designed to meet the US LSA glider constraints and is S-LSA registerable.[3]

Specifications (Rotax 447 engine)

Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2010/11[2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 7.45 m (24 ft 5 in)
  • Wingspan: 15.00 m (49 ft 3 in)
  • Wing area: 10.3 m2 (111 sq ft)
  • Aspect ratio: 21.8
  • Empty weight: 195 kg (430 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 300 kg (661 lb) 322 kg (710 lb) with BRS ballistic parachute recovery parachute
  • Fuel capacity: 20 L (4.4 Imp gal; 5.3 US gal) standard: can be doubled with interchangeable wing tanks
  • Powerplant: 1 × Rotax 447 , 31 kW (42 hp)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed ground adjustable pitch SportProp 1600 or similar, 1.60 m (5 ft 3 in) diameter

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 160 km/h (99 mph, 86 kn)
  • Stall speed: 65 km/h (40 mph, 35 kn) maximum; normal 120 km/h (75 mph; 65 kt)
  • Never exceed speed: 200 km/h (120 mph, 110 kn)
  • g limits: +4.8/-2.8
  • Maximum glide ratio: unpowered, 24[3]
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See also

References
  1. Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 137. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
  2. Jackson, Paul (2010). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2010-11. Coulsdon, Surrey: IHS Jane's. p. 177. ISBN 978-0-7106-2916-6.
  3. Official website
  4. Partington, Dave (2010). European registers handbook 2010. Air Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN 978-0-85130-425-0.
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