Applebay GA-II Chiricahua

The Applebay GA-II Chiricahua is an American high-wing, single-seat, FAI Standard Class glider that was designed and constructed by George Applebay, first flying in 1970.[1]

GA-II Chiricahua
Role Glider
National origin United States
Designer George Applebay
First flight 1970
Status Production completed
Number built one

Design and development

Applebay started the Chiricahua as a standard class sailplane in 1959, but the aircraft was not completed for 11 years, first flying in 1970.[1] It was named for the Chiricahua people, a group of Apache Native Americans.

The aircraft is made from wood and covered in a combination of plywood and doped Ceconite. Its 15 m (49.2 ft) span wing employs a Göttingen 549 airfoil and features Schempp-Hirth style top surface airbrakes. As originally specified for the standard class, the landing gear was a fixed monowheel.[1][2]

Only one example was built.[1]

Operational history

On 7 July 1974 at New River, Arizona the prototype, N9413, was involved in an accident and substantially damaged. The aircraft was on a soaring flight, ran out of lift, made an attempted landing on a road in a 20 kn (37 km/h) crosswind and struck a tree. The 24-year-old pilot, who had 32 hours of flying time total, including 11 hours on type, was not injured.[3] The aircraft has since been re-registered as N53MB.[4]

Specifications (GA-II)

Data from Sailplane Directory[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Length: 49 ft 3 in (15 m)
  • Wing area: 148.2 sq ft (13.77 m2)
  • Aspect ratio: 16.2:1
  • Airfoil: Gottingen 549
  • Empty weight: 590 lb (268 kg)
  • Gross weight: 819 lb (371 kg)

Performance

  • Wing loading: 5.47 lb/sq ft (26.7 kg/m2)

See also

Related lists

References
  1. Activate Media (2006). "Chiricahua GA-II Applebay". Archived from the original on 29 August 2012. Retrieved 8 August 2011.
  2. Lednicer, David (2010). "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". Archived from the original on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 8 August 2011.
  3. National Transportation Safety Board (August 2011). "NTSB Identification: LAX75DUJ07". Retrieved 8 August 2011.
  4. "FAA Registry N Number Inquiry". FAA. Retrieved 30 October 2012.
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