Whigham GW-5
| GW-5 | |
|---|---|
| Role | Glider |
| National origin | United States |
| Designer | Gene Whigham |
| Introduction | 1980 |
| Number built | one |
The Whigham GW-5 is an American mid-wing, single seat, FAI Standard Class glider that was designed and constructed by Gene Whigham, a retired flight test engineer for Convair.[1][2][3]
Design and development
The GW-5 was designed for the standard class and as such it features a constant-chord 15 m (49.2 ft) wing with a Wortmann FX 61-184 airfoil and flaps for glidepath control.[1][2][4]
The GW-5 is of all-metal construction. The landing gear is a faired fixed monowheel. The aircraft has a bubble canopy and a conventional low tail.[1][2]
One GW-5 was built. It was completed in 1980 and registered with the Federal Aviation Administration in the Experimental - Amateur-built category.[1][2][3]
Operational history
The sole GW-5 built was sold in September 2012 and the registration has expired.[3] It is not known if the aircraft still exists or not.
Specifications (GW-5)
Data from Sailplane Directory and Soaring[1][2]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Wingspan: 49 ft 3 in (15.0 m)
- Wing area: 131 sq ft (12.2 m2)
- Aspect ratio: 18.5:1
- Airfoil: Wortmann FX 61-184
- Empty weight: 518 lb (235 kg)
- Gross weight: 770 lb (349 kg)
Performance
- Maximum glide ratio: 33:1
- Wing loading: 5.87 lb/sq ft (28.7 kg/m2)
See also
Related lists
References
- ^ a b c d e Activate Media (2006). "GW-2, GW-4 and GW-5 Whigham". Retrieved 5 July 2011.
- ^ a b c d e Said, Bob: 1983 Sailplane Directory, Soaring Magazine, page 67, Soaring Society of America November 1983. USPS 499-920
- ^ a b c Federal Aviation Administration (July 2011). "Make / Model Inquiry Results N8496C". Retrieved 5 July 2011.
- ^ Lednicer, David (2010). "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". Retrieved 1 July 2011.