Melsheimer FM-1
{{short description|1968 American glider}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2022}}
| {{Infobox aircraft begin
| name=FM-1 | image=Melsheimer FM-1 N2266.jpg | caption=The FM-1 in its original prototype configuration with the T-tail }}{{Infobox aircraft type | type=Glider | national origin=United States | manufacturer= | designer=Frank Melsheimer | first flight=1968 | introduced=1968 | retired= | status=Production completed | primary user= | more users= | produced= | number built=One | developed from= | variants with their own articles= }} |
The Melsheimer FM-1 is an American single-seat, high-wing, FAI Open Class glider that was designed and constructed by Frank Melsheimer.{{Cite web|url = http://www.sailplanedirectory.com/PlaneDetails.cfm?PlaneID=106|title = FM-1 Melsheimer|accessdate = 30 May 2011|last = Activate Media|year = 2006|url-status = dead|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20120819220817/http://www.sailplanedirectory.com/PlaneDetails.cfm?PlaneID=106|archivedate = 19 August 2012}}Said, Bob: 1983 Sailplane Directory, Soaring Magazine, page 48. Soaring Society of America November 1983. USPS 499-920{{Cite web|url = http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=2266|title = Make / Model Inquiry Results|accessdate = 15 May 2011|last = Federal Aviation Administration|authorlink = |date=May 2011}}
Design and development
The FM-1 was first flown in 1968. The designation indicates the designer's initials.
The FM-1 features mixed construction. The aft fuselage and wings are constructed from wood, with the forward fuselage made from welded steel tubing, covered in fibreglass. The wing employs a NACA 4400R airfoil. The aircraft was originally constructed with a T-tail, but this was later changed to a conventional low tail. The cockpit accommodation is one seat in a semi-reclining position.
Only one example was completed and registered in the Experimental - Amateur-built category.
Operational history
As of May 2011 the FM-1 was still on the Federal Aviation Administration registry.
Specifications (FM-1)
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=Sailplane Directory and Soaring
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|wing area sqft=125
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|aspect ratio=21:1
|airfoil=NACA 4400R
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|empty weight lb=500
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|glide ratio=Estimated 35:1 at {{convert|60|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}}
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|sink rate ftmin=108
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