Stevens SU-1

Last updated

SU-1
Role Glider
National origin United States
Manufacturer Stevens Institute of Technology
First flight1933
Introduction1933
StatusNo longer in production
Number builtabout 4
Developed from Franklin PS-2

The Stevens SU-1 is an American single seat, high-wing, strut-braced, glider that was designed in 1933 by students at the Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, New Jersey. [1]

Contents

Design and development

The SU-1 was developed as an attempt to improve the performance of the Franklin PS-2, by designing new wings for it as a student project. The PS-2's straight 36 ft (11.0 m) wings were replaced with 46 ft (14.0 m) gull-wings. Like the original wings, the new wings have two spars, but instead of parallel struts, the new wings use V-struts terminating at a single fuselage attachment point. Jury struts are also used. Like the original wings, the new wings are a wooden structure, covered in doped aircraft fabric covering. The SU-1 retains the PS-2's original steel tube fuselage. The landing gear is a fixed monowheel type. [1]

Testing showed that the Stevens Institute students were successful and the SU-1 has a glide ratio of 17:1, two points better than the PS-2. It also has a slightly higher sink rate of 180 feet per minute versus the PS-2's 150. Gross weight was also increased from 400 lb (181 kg) to 550 lb (249 kg). [1]

About four SU-1s were produced. [1]

Operational history

In 1983 Soaring magazine reported that two SU-1s were still in existence, one in serviceable condition and one in need of repair. [1]

In April 2011 one remained on the Federal Aviation Administration register. [2]

Specifications (variant specified)

Data from Soaring [1]

General characteristics

Performance

See also

Related Research Articles

The Schweizer SGU 1-19 and Schweizer SGU 1-20 are a family of United States single-seat, high-wing, strut-braced, utility gliders built by Schweizer Aircraft of Elmira, New York.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Schweizer SGU 2-22</span> American glider

The Schweizer SGU 2-22 is an American two-seat, high-wing, strut-braced, training glider built by Schweizer Aircraft of Elmira, New York.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bowlus BS-100 Super Albatross</span> American glider

The Bowlus BS-100 Super Albatross is a single seat, mid-wing glider that was designed by Hawley Bowlus in 1938.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Haig Minibat</span> American glider

The Haig Minibat is a high-wing, single-seat tailless motor glider that was designed by Larry Haig, and first flown in 1979. At one time available as plans or in kit form for amateur construction. The kit is no longer available.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Franklin PS-2</span> American glider

The Franklin PS-2 is an American, high-wing, strut-braced, single seat, glider that was designed by R. E. Franklin and produced by the Franklin Glider Corporation starting in 1930.

The Briegleb BG-7 is an American strut-braced high-wing, single seat glider that was designed by William G. Briegleb and produced by the Sailplane Corporation of America as a completed aircraft and also as a kit.

The Scanlan SG-1A is an American, single seat, pod-and-boom, high-wing, strut-braced glider that was designed by Thomas W. Scanlan in 1970 and sold in the form of plans for amateur construction.

The Cadet UT-1 is an American single-seat, high wing, strut-braced glider modified by Alex Dawydoff from the original Slingsby Kirby Cadet design and produced by Cadet Aeronautics.

The Bennett-Carter CBS-1 Dottie S is an American high-wing, strut-braced single-seat glider that was designed by George Bennett and Richard Carter and first flown in 1958.

The Hutchinson HS-127 is an American mid-wing glider that was designed and built by Vernon Hutchinson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kennedy K-W</span> American glider

The Kennedy K-W is an American high-wing, strut-braced, single-seat glider that was designed by Harold Kennedy of Dodge City, Kansas, with assistance from Floyd Watson. The aircraft is notable for being assembled from certified powered aircraft components and also for having had an in-flight break-up.

The Lamson L-106 Alcor is an American, high-wing, experimental, pressurized research glider that was designed and built by Bob Lamson. The Alcor was the first pressurized sailplane ever built.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Melsheimer FM-1</span> 1968 American glider

The Melsheimer FM-1 is an American single-seat, high-wing, FAI Open Class glider that was designed and constructed by Frank Melsheimer.

The Culver Rigid Midget is an American mid-wing, single seat glider that was designed by Irv Culver in 1941. The prototype was constructed by Ray Parker and Bill Bowmar and completed in 1947

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crown City Glider Club Screaming Wiener</span> American glider

The Crown City Glider Club Screaming Wiener is an American mid-wing, single-seat glider that was designed and built by members of the Crown City Glider Club in 1938.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Midwest MU-1</span> Type of aircraft

The Midwest MU-1 was an American single-seat, high-wing, strut-braced utility glider that was designed by Arthur B. Schultz in the 1930s.

The Moswey III is a Swiss mid-wing, single-seat, gull winged glider that was designed by Georg Mueller and produced by Moswey Segelflugzeug-Werke.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Schleicher Condor</span> German glider family designed by Heini Dittmar, 1932

The Schleicher Condor, also referred to as the Dittmar Condor, is a series of German high-wing, single and two-seat, gull winged, gliders that were designed by Heini Dittmar in the 1930s, produced in small quantities before the Second World War, produced again between 1952 and 1955 by Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co and also by Ferdinand Schmetz.

The Haufe HA-G-1 Buggie is an American high-wing, strut-braced, single-seat, glider that was designed and constructed by Bruno Haufe and Klaus Hill, first flying in 1967.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volmer VJ-24W SunFun</span> American ultralight aircraft

The Volmer VJ-24W SunFun is an American high-wing, strut-braced, single-seat, pod-and-boom motor glider and ultralight aircraft that was designed by Volmer Jensen and provided as plans for amateur construction by his company Volmer Aircraft of Glendale, California.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Said, Bob: 1983 Sailplane Directory, Soaring Magazine , page 34. Soaring Society of America, November 1983. USPS 499-920
  2. Federal Aviation Administration (April 2011). "Make / Model Inquiry Results" . Retrieved April 21, 2011.