The aircraft is sometimes referred to as the Federov AC-4 Russia, Mechta AC-4, Fedorov Me7 Mechta, Kenilworth Me7, AS+ Ltd AC-4 or Aircraft Cooperative Mechta AC-4 Russia. It is currently marketed as the Glider Air Craft Solo AC-4.[2][3][4][5][6]
The aircraft started out in 1989 as Fedorov's "Dream" project for the OSTIVWorld Class Sailplane 1993 design contest. It went through several design prototypes, named Mechta I, Mechta II and Russia I and II. The Russia II was the version submitted to the competition. The bid involved forming a new concern, the Aircraft Cooperative Mechta and building three hand-made prototypes. The aircraft performed well in the competition and the fly-off held in Oerlinghausen, Germany, but only came in second place, behind the Polish Politechnika Warszawska PW-5.[1][7][8]
The American team at the competition was very impressed with the Russian design, thought it would sell well for Club class and student solo flying and bought one of the three prototypes to take home with them. The aircraft proved popular and so a US distributorship under the name Russia 12.6 was set up to sell the Russian production. Since the Aircraft Cooperative Mechta could not mass-produce the aircraft they reformed as Aviastroitel. In 1994 US distribution was transferred to Mechta Sailplanes, LLC, which imported 18 Russia gliders. Aviastroitel created a second set of molds to respond to the demand and started a second assembly line with a total production capacity of 48 AC-4s per year. In 1997 William Ayd became US distributor under the name Russia Sailplanes, Inc. Production of the AC-4 was suspended in 2003 when the Russian government changed the requirements for industrial production, making building them uneconomical. In 2010 Aviastroitel became Glider Air Craft and production resumed.[7][8]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Aviastroitel AC-4.
Official website
Official website 2
April 02, 2023
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The Aviastroitel AC 4 Russia is a Russian mid wing single seat glider designed by Vladimir Egorovich Fedorov and produced by Aircraft Cooperative Mechta which became Aviastroitel now Glider Air Craft 1 2 AC 4 RussiaRole GliderNational origin RussiaManufacturer Aircraft Cooperative MechtaAviastroitelGlider Air CraftDesigner Vladimir Egorovich FedorovIntroduction 1993Status In productionProduced 1993 2003 and 2010 presentNumber built 60Variants Aviastroitel AC 5MThe aircraft is sometimes referred to as the Federov AC 4 Russia Mechta AC 4 Fedorov Me7 Mechta Kenilworth Me7 AS Ltd AC 4 or Aircraft Cooperative Mechta AC 4 Russia It is currently marketed as the Glider Air Craft Solo AC 4 2 3 4 5 6 Contents 1 Design and development 2 Operational history 3 Variants 4 Specifications AC 4 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksDesign and development EditThe aircraft started out in 1989 as Fedorov s Dream project for the OSTIV World Class Sailplane 1993 design contest It went through several design prototypes named Mechta I Mechta II and Russia I and II The Russia II was the version submitted to the competition The bid involved forming a new concern the Aircraft Cooperative Mechta and building three hand made prototypes The aircraft performed well in the competition and the fly off held in Oerlinghausen Germany but only came in second place behind the Polish Politechnika Warszawska PW 5 1 7 8 The American team at the competition was very impressed with the Russian design thought it would sell well for Club class and student solo flying and bought one of the three prototypes to take home with them The aircraft proved popular and so a US distributorship under the name Russia 12 6 was set up to sell the Russian production Since the Aircraft Cooperative Mechta could not mass produce the aircraft they reformed as Aviastroitel In 1994 US distribution was transferred to Mechta Sailplanes LLC which imported 18 Russia gliders Aviastroitel created a second set of molds to respond to the demand and started a second assembly line with a total production capacity of 48 AC 4s per year In 1997 William Ayd became US distributor under the name Russia Sailplanes Inc Production of the AC 4 was suspended in 2003 when the Russian government changed the requirements for industrial production making building them uneconomical In 2010 Aviastroitel became Glider Air Craft and production resumed 7 8 The aircraft is made from fibreglass Its 12 6 m 41 3 ft span wing employs a Wortmann FX 60 157 airfoil The AC 4 can be fitted with a McCulloch MC 101B two stroke engine of 12 hp 9 kW that will sustain flight A Ballistic Recovery Systems parachute is optional 1 5 Sixty Russias were completed some as complete non certified aircraft and some as kits for amateur construction 1 2 3 4 7 Operational history EditIn August 2011 there were 42 Russias registered in the United States 3 9 10 five in the United Kingdom 11 and two in Canada 4 Variants Edit Aviastroitel AC 4 Russia Mechta I Initial 1989 prototype with 13 3 m 43 6 ft wing span 8 Mechta II 1991 prototype with 13 3 m 43 6 ft wing span 8 Russia I 1992 prototype with 11 0 m 36 1 ft wing span 8 Russia II 1992 prototype with 12 6 m 41 3 ft wing span 8 AC 4A Russia First production model introduced in 1993 with a 12 6 m 41 3 ft wing span and taildragger landing gear 1 8 AC 4B Russia AC4 B Instrument Panel Model with the main wheel set further back and a nose wheel Also incorporates a larger cockpit for taller pilots Introduced in 1996 1 8 AC 4C Russia Improved model with retractable landing gear Introduced in 1997 4 8 AC 4CK Russia Improved model delivered as a kit 3 AC 4D Russia Improved model with winglets 6 AC 4M Motor glider model with a retractable engine which was used as the prototype for the AC 5M Introduced in 1999 7 8 Solo AC 4 Current production model 2 Specifications AC 4 EditData from Sailplane Directory and company 1 2 General characteristicsCrew one Length 5 25 m 17 ft 3 in Wingspan 12 6 m 41 ft 4 in Height 0 38 m 1 25 ft Wing area 7 7 m2 83 sq ft Aspect ratio 20 5 1 Airfoil Wortmann FX 60 157 Empty weight 140 kg 309 lb Gross weight 260 kg 573 lb Performance Stall speed 69 km h 43 mph 37 kn Never exceed speed 220 km h 140 mph 120 kn g limits 5 3 2 65 Maximum glide ratio 34 1 at 95 km h 59 mph Rate of sink 0 8 m s 160 ft min at 88 km h 55 mph Wing loading 32 46 kg m2 6 65 lb sq ft See also EditRelated lists List of glidersReferences Edit a b c d e f g Activate Media 2006 Russia AC 4 Aircraft Cooperative Mechta Archived from the original on 24 February 2014 Retrieved 7 August 2011 a b c d e Glider Air Craft n d Solo AC 4 Archived from the original on 22 October 2011 Retrieved 7 October 2011 a b c d Federal Aviation Administration August 2011 Make Model Inquiry Results Archived from the original on 27 December 2014 Retrieved 7 August 2011 a b c d Transport Canada August 2011 Canadian Civil Aircraft Register Retrieved 7 August 2011 a b Lednicer David 2010 The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage Archived from the original on 19 July 2011 Retrieved 1 July 2011 a b Bertrand Noel Rene Coulon et al World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003 04 page 54 Pagefast Ltd Lancaster OK 2003 ISSN 1368 485X a b c d Aviastroitel 2006 This Russian enterprise Aviastroitel Retrieved 7 August 2011 a b c d e f g h i j Glider Air Craft 2009 Our History Archived from the original on 22 October 2011 Retrieved 7 October 2011 Federal Aviation Administration August 2011 Make Model Inquiry Results Retrieved 9 August 2011 Federal Aviation Administration August 2011 Make Model Inquiry Results Retrieved 9 August 2011 Civil Aviation Authority GINFO Search Results Summary Retrieved 9 August 2011 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Aviastroitel AC 4 Official website Official website 2 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Aviastroitel AC 4 Russia amp oldid 1122486201, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
