Gehrlein Precursor

Last updated

Precursor
Role Glider
National origin United States
Designer Larry Gehrlein
First flight1965
Introduction1965
Number builtOne
Developed from Schweizer 1-26 and 1-23

The Gehrlein Precursor is an American, high-wing, single seat glider designed by Larry Gehrlein in 1965 and assembled from Schweizer Aircraft parts. [1] [2]

Contents

Design and development

There was just one Schweizer 1-23C built and it was owned and modified by Gehrlein. The aircraft was crashed and rebuilt with new 1-23D wings. The 1-23C's damaged wings were rebuilt and formed the basis for the Precursor. The fuselage for the Precursor started life as a 1963 model Schweizer 1-26A. The two components were reworked by Gehrlein and his two sons, Rod and Jay, in 1965. They took the 1-26A fuselage and mounted the wings from the Schweizer 1-23C, modifying the fuselage, which had mounted the original 1-26 wings in the mid position to accept the 1-23C wings in the high position. The resulting aircraft is registered with the Federal Aviation Administration in the Experimental - Racing - Amateur Built - Exhibition category. [1] [2]

The Precursor is of all-metal construction and features a fixed monowheel landing gear, with a small tail caster. Only one Precursor was built. [1]

Operational history

PIlot reports indicate that the Precursor climbs well in thermals and exhibits stable handling. [1]

Gehrlein eventually sold the one-of-a-kind design to Les Stoner of Houston, Texas and today it is owned by Gehrlein's son, Rod, and based in Erie, Pennsylvania. [1] [2]

Specifications (Precursor)

Data from Soaring [1]

General characteristics

Performance

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Said, Bob: 1983 Sailplane Directory, Soaring Magazine , page 28 and 43. Soaring Society of America November 1983. USPS 499-920
  2. 1 2 3 Federal Aviation Administration (May 2011). "Make / Model Inquiry Results" . Retrieved May 12, 2011.
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