Glasflügel H-301

H-301 Libelle
H-301 being launched by winch
Role	15-metre class sailplane
National origin	Germany
Manufacturer	Glasflügel
First flight	1964
Number built	111
|} The Glasflügel H-301 Libelle is an early composite 15-metre Class single-seat sailplane produced by Glasflügel from 1964 to 1969. Development In 1964 the H-301 Libelle ("Dragonfly") received the first German and first U.S. Type Certificate issued to an all-fiberglass aircraft. It had flaps, water ballast and retractable landing gear. There are two canopy variants: the normal canopy and a sleeker, lower-profiled 'racing' canopy with no side vent. The canopy is unique in that it has a catch that enables the front to be raised by 25 mm (1 in) in flight to provide a flow of ventilating air instead of the more conventional small sliding panel used for this purpose. The American Will Schuemann pioneered several performance-enhancing modifications to the type, including a re-profiled wing, converting the airfoil to a Wortmann section, various fairings, a new canopy and a reshaped fuselage nose. Aircraft incorporating these changes are informally known as 'Schümanised' Libelles.[1] The H-201 Standard Libelle was developed in 1967 as a Standard Class variant. The Libelle was a popular and influential design. Its light wings and easy rigging set a new benchmark. Handling is generally easy except that it is sensitive to sideslipping and has relatively ineffective airbrakes that make short landings tricky for inexperienced pilots. The H-201 Libelle (standard class) was superseded by the Hornet. The H-301 Libelle (open class) was superseded by the Mosquito. Design Wings: spar and shell of balsa or foam / reinforced plastic sandwich Ailerons: balsa or synthetic foam / reinforced plastic sandwich. Horizontal stabilizer: reinforced plastic Elevator: reinforced plastic Automatic connections for airbrakes, flaps and elevator. Ailerons are connected by a "pip" pin Specifications General characteristics Crew: 1 Capacity: 50 kg (110 lb) water ballast Length: 6.19 m (20 ft 4 in) Wingspan: 15.00 m (49 ft 3 in) Height: 1.25 m (4 ft 1 in) Wing area: 9.5 m^2 (102 ft^2) Aspect ratio: 23.6 Empty weight: 180 kg (400 lb) Gross weight: 300 kg (660 lb) Performance Maximum speed: 200 km/h (124 mph) Maximum glide ratio: ca. 39 Rate of sink: 0.55 m/s (108 ft/min) See also Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era Berkshire Concept 70 Schleicher ASW 15 Related lists List of gliders References Rogers, Bennett: 1974 Sailplane Directory, Soaring Magazine, page 52. Soaring Society of America, August 1974. USPS 499-920 Thomas F, Fundamentals of Sailplane Design, College Park Press, 1999 Simons M, Segelflugzeuge 1965-2000, Eqip, 2004 Sailplane Directory