Glasflügel H-201
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-->A Libelle over the Western United States. | |
| Type designation | H-201 Standard Libelle |
| Competition class | Standard |
| Number built | 601 |
| Crew | 1 |
| Length | 6.19 m |
| Height | 1.25 m |
| Cockpit width | 0.59 m |
| Cockpit height | 0.85 m |
| Wingspan | 15 m |
| Wing area | 9.80 m² |
| Aspect ratio | 23 |
| Empty mass | ca. 185 kg |
| Water ballast | 50 kg (H201B only) |
| Maximum mass | 290 kg (H201) 350 kg (H201B) |
| Wing loading | ca. 30 - 36 kg/m² |
| Maximum speed | 220 km/h (H201) 250 km/h (H201B) |
| Rough air speed | 220 km/h (H201) 250 km/h (H201B) |
| Maneuver speed | 150 km/h (H201B) |
| Minimum sink rate | ca. 0.57 m/s at 75 km/h |
| Glide ratio | ca. 34.5 at 85 km/h |
| Roll rate | -45º to +45º bank |
The Glasflügel H-201 Standard Libelle is an early composite Standard Class single-seat sailplane produced by Glasflügel from 1967.
History
In 1964 the H-301 Libelle ("Dragonfly") received the first German and first U.S. Type Certificate issued to an all-fiberglass aircraft. The H-201 Standard Libelle was a follow-on Standard Class sailplane to the successful H-301 Libelle Open Class glider. The H-201 Standard Libelle first flew in 1967. It was similar to the H-301, the major difference being the elimination of the flaps. It originally had a fixed landing gear; but with a change in the Standard Class rules, the H-201B of 1969 introduced a retractable gear and a water ballast system as an option(50 kg. /100 lb.). Other improvements in the B variant were larger upper surface dive brakes, a larger stabilizer for better low-speed handling, PVC foam filler for the wing (instead of balsa) to increase durability and profile accuracy, increased gross weight and higher operating speeds.
The Libelle and Standard Libelle were very popular and influential designs. Their very light wings and extremely easy rigging set a new benchmark. Their handling is generally easy except that they are quite sensitive to sideslipping and have relatively ineffective airbrakes that make short landings tricky for inexperienced pilots.
The Standard Libelle had some variants: the Glasflügel 202 of which only four in total were built, and the Glasflügel 205 Club Libelle with a high-set wing and fixed undercarriage intended for less experienced pilots, of which 176 were produced.
The Standard Libelle was superseded by the Hornet.
General Description
- Wings: spar and shell of foam / reinforced plastic sandwich
- Ailerons: synthetic foam / reinforced plastic sandwich.
- Horizontal stabilizer: reinforced plastic
- Elevator: reinforced plastic
- Automatic connections for ailerons, airbrakes, elevator
- Water ballast system: ballast bag per wing located before the spar, valve and dumping orifice on the fuselage underside
Sources
- [Libelle website]
- Thomas F, Fundamentals of Sailplane Design, College Park Press, 1999
- Simons M, Segelflugzeuge 1965-2000, Eqip, 2004
- [Sailplane Directory]
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