Lamson PL-1 Quark

The Lamson PL-1 Quark was an American high-wing, single-seat, glider that was designed and constructed by Philip Lamson, first flying in early 1965.[1][2]

PL-1 Quark
Role Glider
National origin United States
Designer Philip Lamson
First flight 1965
Introduction 1964
Status Production completed
Number built one

Design and development

Lamson designed and built the Quark in 1964 as a lighthearted experimental aircraft project to create a prone position-pilot glider. To this end the pilot was accommodated lying down with his head in the nose bubble.[1]

The PL-1 is constructed from fiberglass, with the wings made from a balsa-fiberglass sandwich that was laid up in a female mold. The wing was originally of 20 ft (6.1 m) span, but this was quickly increased to 30 ft (9.1 m) with tip extensions and finally the aircraft received a new 40 ft (12.2 m) three-piece wing. The airfoil was an Irv Culver modification to the NACA 0012. The landing gear was a monowheel, with small wing tip skids.[1]

Soaring Magazine described the aircraft as "purely a lark and a quirky lark at that". The designer described the performance as "somewhere between a Nimbus and a Rogallo".[1]

Only one Quark was built and it was registered with the US Federal Aviation Administration in the Experimental - amateur-built category.[1][2]

Operational history

The aircraft logged about 300 hours in its 30 ft (9.1 m) wingspan version. The Quark was removed from the FAA registry on 13 August 2002 and the aircraft likely no longer exists.[1][2]

Specifications (Quark)

Data from Soaring[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Length: 10 ft (3.0 m)
  • Wingspan: 40 ft (12 m)
  • Wing area: 88.89 sq ft (8.258 m2)
  • Aspect ratio: 18:1
  • Airfoil: Irv Culver modification to the NACA 0012
  • Empty weight: 340 lb (154 kg)
  • Gross weight: 504 lb (229 kg)

Performance

  • Wing loading: 5.67 lb/sq ft (27.7 kg/m2)

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References
  1. Rogers, Bennett: 1974 Sailplane Directory, Soaring Magazine, page 45. Soaring Society of America, August 1974. USPS 499-920
  2. Federal Aviation Administration (August 2011). "Make / Model Inquiry Results N44L". Retrieved 2 August 2011.
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