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Schweizer SGS 1-36 Sprite

January 01, 1970

The Schweizer SGS 1-36 Sprite is a United States, single-seat, mid-wing glider built by Schweizer Aircraft of Elmira, New York.[1][4]

SGS 1-36 Sprite
A SGS 1-36 being used for deep stall research by NASA over the Mojave Desert in 1983
Role Glider
National origin United States
Manufacturer Schweizer Aircraft Corporation
Designer Leslie Schweizer[1]
First flight August 1979[2][3]
Number built 43[1]

The 1-36 was first flown in 1979[2] and a total of 43 were built by the time production was completed in 1982. The Sprite was reportedly still available to customers in 1987, but none were built after 1982.[1][4][5][6]

The 1-36 was conceived as a replacement for the One-design competition Schweizer SGS 1-26, when production of that model ended in 1979.[7]

The 1-36 was also the last glider model that the company would manufacture. The completion of production of the 1-36 in 1982 marked the end of an era that started in 1930 with the Schweizer SGP 1-1.[1][4]

The SGS 1-36 Sprite was the only glider produced by Schweizer that was given an official marketing name.[4]

Design and development edit

By the end of the 1970s the company decided to end manufacture of the SGS 1-26 one-design class sailplane, which had been in production since 1954. The 1-26 had proven the concept and popularity of one-design soaring competition and the company felt that a similar aircraft, but with more performance, would be popular.[8]

The prototype SGS 1-36 first flew in August 1979[3] and the Sprite was certified under type certificate G5EA on 15 October 1980.[9]

The first customer delivery was made on 16 October 1980 to Al Freedy of Hinckley Soaring, Schweizer's dealer in Chicago, where it was employed as a rental aircraft. In late 1980 Schweizer had 32 dealers listed and each one was required to order an SGS 1-36.[3]

The 1-36 is an all-metal aircraft with a monocoque fuselage. The wing is covered in aluminum sheet and the aircraft's elevator and rudder are fabric covered. The Sprite's wing has balanced top and bottom divebrakes set well aft near the trailing edge. The 1-36 is not equipped for water ballast.[1]

The SGS is equipped with a 13-inch (330 mm) diameter X 5-inch (130 mm) main wheel. The wheel has a hydraulic brake that is actuated by full application of the spoilers.[10]

The pitot tube is installed in the nose air intake, which gives it good protection during ground handling. The static ports are located 14 inches (35.6 cm) aft of the nose and the fuselage sides. Their location provides accurate indicated airspeed above 56 knots (64 mph, 104 km/h) but provide increasing errors below that speed, up to 4.5 knots (5.2 mph, 8.3 km/h) at the stall.[10]

Assembly of the 1-36 is accomplished by inserting the wings and installing the main spar pins and fore and aft drag pins. The T-tail has a fixed section and the two horizontal stabilizer and elevator sections are inserted in that and retained with one pin. The elevators and divebrakes hook up automatically on assembly, but the ailerons require the manual insertion of pins.[10]

The Sprite was built in two different versions, differing only in main wheel placement.[1]

The 1-36 type certificate is currently held by K & L Soaring of Cayuta, New York. K & L Soaring now provides all parts and support for the Schweizer line of sailplanes.[9][11]

Independent flight testing edit

Independent flight testing of the SGS 1-36 was carried out in January 1982 by Dick Johnson and the Dallas Gliding Association and published in the Soaring Society of America's journal, Soaring, in March 1982.[10]

The evaluation flights showed that the aircraft has a glide ratio of 31:1 at 42 knots (78 km/h) calibrated airspeed (48 mph, 78 km/h), the same glide ratio claimed by the factory. Measured minimum sink rate was 130 ft/min (2.17 ft/s) at 39 knots (45 mph, 73 km/h). The roll rate at 40 knots (74 km/h) was 6 seconds from 45 degrees to 45 degrees. Flight testing did note that the 1-36 has a tendency to oscillate in pitch while on aero-tow, but this was easily controlled by the pilot with practice.[10]

Johnson's flight test evaluation indicated that the 1-36 out-performed the 1-26E by a margin of 45%.[10]

The flight test evaluation concluded:

All considered, the new 1-36 sailplane appears to be an excellent intermediate-performance sailplane with markedly better performance than its 1-26 predecessor. Its robust and durable aluminum construction should make it an attractive sailplane for clubs, sport fliers, and one-design-class advocates.[10]

Operational history edit

As a result of the low numbers produced, the 1-36 did not find a following as a one-design competition class, but it remains popular as a club, rental and personal glider.[4]

As of November 2017 there were still 29 SGS 1-36s registered in the US and one in Canada.[12][13]

NASA Research Project edit

The Schweizer SGS 1-36 Sprite experimental prototype, registered N502NA, was acquired by NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards, California and used for research into controlled, deep-stall conditions at an angle of attack of more than 30 degrees. The Sprite was used for the test program because of its slow speed and the simple aerodynamics of its long unswept wing.[2][6][14]

Schweizer Aircraft modified the Sprite's horizontal stabilizer to allow it to produce an elevator angle of up to 70 degrees. NASA also modified the Sprite to permit better pilot entry and exit. Radio-controlled-model, ground tests and simulator tests were conducted before crewed flight.[14]

During September and October 1983 NASA flew the test program with the SGS 1-36, to demonstrate whether a piloted aircraft could be controlled in flight at very high angles of attack. The 1-36 was usually aero-towed to 8,500 feet (2,600 m) to conduct these test flights.[14]

The program results showed that the Sprite could be safely controlled at angles of attack of 30 to 72 degrees and at high rates of descent.[14]

Variants edit

1-36 version 36903-1
This model has a forward-position main wheel, a sprung tailwheel and no nose skid. It was intended for the private ownership market.[1][6]
1-36 version 36903-3
This model has an aft-position main wheel, a non-sprung tailwheel and an aluminum nose skid. It was intended for purchase by schools and clubs.[1][6]

Specifications (1-36 Sprite) edit

Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1988-89[15]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 20 ft 7.0 in (6.274 m)
  • Wingspan: 46 ft 2.0 in (14.072 m)
  • Height: 4 ft 9 in (1.45 m)
  • Wing area: 140.9 sq ft (13.09 m2)
  • Aspect ratio: 15.5
  • Airfoil: Root:Wortmann FX61-163, tip:Wortmann FX60-126
  • Empty weight: 475 lb (215.4 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 710 lb (322 kg)

Performance

  • Stall speed: 31 kn (36 mph, 57 km/h)
  • Never exceed speed: 105 kn (121 mph, 195 km/h)
  • Winch launch max: 68 kn (78.3 mph; 125.9 km/h)
  • g limits: +5.35 -2.67
  • Maximum glide ratio: 31 at 46 kn (52.9 mph; 85.2 km/h)
  • Rate of sink: 134 ft/min (0.68 m/s) at 36 kn (41.4 mph; 66.7 km/h)
  • Wing loading: 5.05 lb/sq ft (24.64 kg/m2)

See also edit

Related lists

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Activate Media (2006). . Archived from the original on 2002-01-24. Retrieved 2008-06-02.
  2. ^ a b c Federal Aviation Administration (June 2008). "FAA Registry". Retrieved 2008-06-02.
  3. ^ a b c Schweizer, Paul A (January 1981). "Introducing the Sprite". Soaring Magazine. Soaring Society of America. USPS 499-920.
  4. ^ a b c d e Said, Bob (November 1983). "1983 Sailplane Directory". Soaring Magazine. USPS 499-920.
  5. ^ Federal Aviation Administration (June 2008). "FAA Registry". Retrieved 2008-06-02.
  6. ^ a b c d John W.R. Taylor, ed. (1987). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1987-88. London: Jane's Information Group. ISBN 978-0710608505.
  7. ^ Federal Aviation Administration (June 2008). "FAA Registry". Retrieved 2008-06-02.
  8. ^ Schweizer, Paul A. (1988). Wings Like Eagles, The Story of Soaring in the United States. Washington DC: Smithsonian Institution Press. ISBN 0-87474-828-3.
  9. ^ a b Federal Aviation Administration (September 2007). "TYPE CERTIFICATE DATA SHEET NO. G5EA". Retrieved 2008-06-02.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g Johnson, Richard H. (March 1982). "Flight Test Evaluation of the Schweizer SGS 1-36 Sprite". Soaring Magazine: 36. USPS 499-920.
  11. ^ K & L Soaring (n.d.). "K & L Soaring, LLC". Retrieved 2008-04-05.
  12. ^ Federal Aviation Administration. "Make/Model Inquiry Results Schweizer 1-36". registry.faa.gov. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  13. ^ Transport Canada. "Canadian Civil Aircraft Register: Aircraft Details". wwwapps.tc.gc.ca. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  14. ^ a b c d NASA (2002). . Archived from the original on 1997-06-14. Retrieved 2008-06-02.
  15. ^ John W.R. Taylor, ed. (1988). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1988-89. London: Jane's Information Group. ISBN 0 7106 0867 5.

External links edit

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Schweizer SGS 1-36.
  • SGS 1-36 three view drawing

January 01, 1970
schweizer, sprite, united, states, single, seat, wing, glider, built, schweizer, aircraft, elmira, york, sprite, being, used, deep, stall, research, nasa, over, mojave, desert, 1983, role, glider, national, origin, united, states, manufacturer, schweizer, airc. The Schweizer SGS 1 36 Sprite is a United States single seat mid wing glider built by Schweizer Aircraft of Elmira New York 1 4 SGS 1 36 Sprite A SGS 1 36 being used for deep stall research by NASA over the Mojave Desert in 1983 Role Glider National origin United States Manufacturer Schweizer Aircraft Corporation Designer Leslie Schweizer 1 First flight August 1979 2 3 Number built 43 1 The 1 36 was first flown in 1979 2 and a total of 43 were built by the time production was completed in 1982 The Sprite was reportedly still available to customers in 1987 but none were built after 1982 1 4 5 6 The 1 36 was conceived as a replacement for the One design competition Schweizer SGS 1 26 when production of that model ended in 1979 7 The 1 36 was also the last glider model that the company would manufacture The completion of production of the 1 36 in 1982 marked the end of an era that started in 1930 with the Schweizer SGP 1 1 1 4 The SGS 1 36 Sprite was the only glider produced by Schweizer that was given an official marketing name 4 Contents 1 Design and development 1 1 Independent flight testing 2 Operational history 2 1 NASA Research Project 3 Variants 4 Specifications 1 36 Sprite 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksDesign and development editBy the end of the 1970s the company decided to end manufacture of the SGS 1 26 one design class sailplane which had been in production since 1954 The 1 26 had proven the concept and popularity of one design soaring competition and the company felt that a similar aircraft but with more performance would be popular 8 The prototype SGS 1 36 first flew in August 1979 3 and the Sprite was certified under type certificate G5EA on 15 October 1980 9 The first customer delivery was made on 16 October 1980 to Al Freedy of Hinckley Soaring Schweizer s dealer in Chicago where it was employed as a rental aircraft In late 1980 Schweizer had 32 dealers listed and each one was required to order an SGS 1 36 3 The 1 36 is an all metal aircraft with a monocoque fuselage The wing is covered in aluminum sheet and the aircraft s elevator and rudder are fabric covered The Sprite s wing has balanced top and bottom divebrakes set well aft near the trailing edge The 1 36 is not equipped for water ballast 1 The SGS is equipped with a 13 inch 330 mm diameter X 5 inch 130 mm main wheel The wheel has a hydraulic brake that is actuated by full application of the spoilers 10 The pitot tube is installed in the nose air intake which gives it good protection during ground handling The static ports are located 14 inches 35 6 cm aft of the nose and the fuselage sides Their location provides accurate indicated airspeed above 56 knots 64 mph 104 km h but provide increasing errors below that speed up to 4 5 knots 5 2 mph 8 3 km h at the stall 10 Assembly of the 1 36 is accomplished by inserting the wings and installing the main spar pins and fore and aft drag pins The T tail has a fixed section and the two horizontal stabilizer and elevator sections are inserted in that and retained with one pin The elevators and divebrakes hook up automatically on assembly but the ailerons require the manual insertion of pins 10 The Sprite was built in two different versions differing only in main wheel placement 1 The 1 36 type certificate is currently held by K amp L Soaring of Cayuta New York K amp L Soaring now provides all parts and support for the Schweizer line of sailplanes 9 11 Independent flight testing edit Independent flight testing of the SGS 1 36 was carried out in January 1982 by Dick Johnson and the Dallas Gliding Association and published in the Soaring Society of America s journal Soaring in March 1982 10 The evaluation flights showed that the aircraft has a glide ratio of 31 1 at 42 knots 78 km h calibrated airspeed 48 mph 78 km h the same glide ratio claimed by the factory Measured minimum sink rate was 130 ft min 2 17 ft s at 39 knots 45 mph 73 km h The roll rate at 40 knots 74 km h was 6 seconds from 45 degrees to 45 degrees Flight testing did note that the 1 36 has a tendency to oscillate in pitch while on aero tow but this was easily controlled by the pilot with practice 10 Johnson s flight test evaluation indicated that the 1 36 out performed the 1 26E by a margin of 45 10 The flight test evaluation concluded All considered the new 1 36 sailplane appears to be an excellent intermediate performance sailplane with markedly better performance than its 1 26 predecessor Its robust and durable aluminum construction should make it an attractive sailplane for clubs sport fliers and one design class advocates 10 Operational history editAs a result of the low numbers produced the 1 36 did not find a following as a one design competition class but it remains popular as a club rental and personal glider 4 As of November 2017 there were still 29 SGS 1 36s registered in the US and one in Canada 12 13 NASA Research Project edit The Schweizer SGS 1 36 Sprite experimental prototype registered N502NA was acquired by NASA s Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards California and used for research into controlled deep stall conditions at an angle of attack of more than 30 degrees The Sprite was used for the test program because of its slow speed and the simple aerodynamics of its long unswept wing 2 6 14 Schweizer Aircraft modified the Sprite s horizontal stabilizer to allow it to produce an elevator angle of up to 70 degrees NASA also modified the Sprite to permit better pilot entry and exit Radio controlled model ground tests and simulator tests were conducted before crewed flight 14 During September and October 1983 NASA flew the test program with the SGS 1 36 to demonstrate whether a piloted aircraft could be controlled in flight at very high angles of attack The 1 36 was usually aero towed to 8 500 feet 2 600 m to conduct these test flights 14 The program results showed that the Sprite could be safely controlled at angles of attack of 30 to 72 degrees and at high rates of descent 14 Variants edit1 36 version 36903 1 This model has a forward position main wheel a sprung tailwheel and no nose skid It was intended for the private ownership market 1 6 1 36 version 36903 3 This model has an aft position main wheel a non sprung tailwheel and an aluminum nose skid It was intended for purchase by schools and clubs 1 6 Specifications 1 36 Sprite editData from Jane s All the World s Aircraft 1988 89 15 General characteristicsCrew 1 Length 20 ft 7 0 in 6 274 m Wingspan 46 ft 2 0 in 14 072 m Height 4 ft 9 in 1 45 m Wing area 140 9 sq ft 13 09 m2 Aspect ratio 15 5 Airfoil Root Wortmann FX61 163 tip Wortmann FX60 126 Empty weight 475 lb 215 4 kg Max takeoff weight 710 lb 322 kg Performance Stall speed 31 kn 36 mph 57 km h Never exceed speed 105 kn 121 mph 195 km h Winch launch max 68 kn 78 3 mph 125 9 km h g limits 5 35 2 67 Maximum glide ratio 31 at 46 kn 52 9 mph 85 2 km h Rate of sink 134 ft min 0 68 m s at 36 kn 41 4 mph 66 7 km h Wing loading 5 05 lb sq ft 24 64 kg m2 See also editRelated lists List of glidersReferences edit a b c d e f g h i Activate Media 2006 SGS 1 36 Schweizer Archived from the original on 2002 01 24 Retrieved 2008 06 02 a b c Federal Aviation Administration June 2008 FAA Registry Retrieved 2008 06 02 a b c Schweizer Paul A January 1981 Introducing the Sprite Soaring Magazine Soaring Society of America USPS 499 920 a b c d e Said Bob November 1983 1983 Sailplane Directory Soaring Magazine USPS 499 920 Federal Aviation Administration June 2008 FAA Registry Retrieved 2008 06 02 a b c d John W R Taylor ed 1987 Jane s All the World s Aircraft 1987 88 London Jane s Information Group ISBN 978 0710608505 Federal Aviation Administration June 2008 FAA Registry Retrieved 2008 06 02 Schweizer Paul A 1988 Wings Like Eagles The Story of Soaring in the United States Washington DC Smithsonian Institution Press ISBN 0 87474 828 3 a b Federal Aviation Administration September 2007 TYPE CERTIFICATE DATA SHEET NO G5EA Retrieved 2008 06 02 a b c d e f g Johnson Richard H March 1982 Flight Test Evaluation of the Schweizer SGS 1 36 Sprite Soaring Magazine 36 USPS 499 920 K amp L Soaring n d K amp L Soaring LLC Retrieved 2008 04 05 Federal Aviation Administration Make Model Inquiry Results Schweizer 1 36 registry faa gov Retrieved 20 November 2017 Transport Canada Canadian Civil Aircraft Register Aircraft Details wwwapps tc gc ca Retrieved 20 November 2017 a b c d NASA 2002 Schweizer SGS 1 36 Photo Collection Archived from the original on 1997 06 14 Retrieved 2008 06 02 John W R Taylor ed 1988 Jane s All the World s Aircraft 1988 89 London Jane s Information Group ISBN 0 7106 0867 5 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Schweizer SGS 1 36 SGS 1 36 three view drawing Photo of SGS 1 36 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Schweizer SGS 1 36 Sprite amp oldid 1215416047, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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