Eta (glider)
{{Short description|German-Italian two-seat motor glider, 2000}}
{{Infobox aircraft
| name=Eta
| image=Eta open class sailplane.JPG
| caption=Eta at Lübeck airport
| type=Open-class sailplane
| national_origin=Germany
| manufacturer=Consortium
| designer=Flugtechnik Leichtbau, Braunschweig, led by Reiner Kickert
| first_flight=31 July 2000
| introduction=
| retired=
| status=
| primary_user=
| number_built=6 (+ 1 Nimeta)
| developed_from=
| variants=
}}
The Eta is a German-Italian Open Class two-seater flapped self-launching glider manufactured by ETA Aircraft. On introduction it was the highest performing glider.{{clarify|date=November 2014}}
Early flights
The Eta made its first flight on July 31, 2000 in Cochstedt, Germany, reaching a height of {{convert|2|m|ft|abbr=on|0}}. The second flight was the first aerotow launch, reaching {{convert|1500|m|ft|abbr=on|-1}}. The third flight was self powered and had no problems. The official presentation was on 1 August.{{citation needed|date=March 2014}}
Production
File:Bruno Gantenbrink Nimeta D-KGYY.jpg
Three Etas have been manufactured. The second prototype was extensively damaged in 2003 during the spin tests required for the type certification but both pilots parachuted to safety. The prototype was repaired and the tests completed successfully. The glider was to be produced by hand at a rate of about three per year.
Development
The Eta is an example of a trend in glider development in which private pilots initiate the development of new open class gliders. The private development of the Concordia sailplane promises a further elevation of the max lift-to-drag ratio to slightly over 75 at {{Cvt|137|km/h|mph kn}}.{{Cite web |last=Butler |first=Dick |date=2011-01-18 |title=The Design of a Competition Sailplane |url=https://concordia-sailplane.com/design-of-a-competition-sailplane/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110175335/https://concordia-sailplane.com/design-of-a-competition-sailplane/ |archive-date=2023-01-10 |access-date=2023-01-10 |website=Concordia — Supersegler |language=en-US}}
Operational history
An Eta participated in a World Championship for the first time in 2003 at Leszno. Its pilot, Janusz Centka, achieved an overall second place. Good placings have also been achieved by the Eta in later competitions. The glider is however hampered by the Open Class weight limitation which limits its wing loading in gusty weather to the advantage of its opponents.{{citation needed|date=March 2014}}
Specifications
{{Aircraft specs
|prime units?=met
|genhide=
|crew=Two
|capacity=
|length m=9.75
|length note=
|span m=30.90
|span note=
|height m=
|height ft=
|height in=
|height note=
|wing area sqm=18.61
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio=51.33
|airfoil=HQR 2 inboard, HQR 1 outboard
|empty weight kg=710
|empty weight note=
|gross weight kg=850
|gross weight lb=
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight kg=
|max takeoff weight lb=
|max takeoff weight note=
|fuel capacity=
|more general=
- Maximum wing loading: 44.8 kg/m2 (9.18 lb/sqft)
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=Sola 2625-02
|eng1 type=twin cylinder inline two stroke piston engine{{citation needed|date=March 2014}}
|eng1 kw=47
|eng1 note=approximately
|more power=
|prop blade number=2
|prop name=carbon reinforced plastic propeller, pulley driven on folding column
|prop dia m=
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|glide ratio=70 at 108 km/h{{cn|date=May 2017}}
|climb rate ms=
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See also
References
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External links
- [https://www.leichtwerk.de/eta-aircraft/en/news/index.html Official site] of the Eta Glider project.
{{DEFAULTSORT:Eta Aircraft Eta}}