Antonov A-15

The Antonov A-15 is a Soviet mid-wing, V-tailed single-seat, FAI Open Class glider that was designed by Oleg Antonov and produced by Antonov.[1]

A-15
Antonov A-15 registered in the Czech Republic
Role Glider
National origin USSR
Manufacturer Antonov
Designer Oleg Antonov
First flight 26 March 1960
Number built 350

Design and development

The A-15 was a follow-on design, based on the bureau's experience gained with the A-11 and A-13 gliders. This new open class design quickly proved its worth as a record-setter.[1]

The aircraft is made from aluminium. Unusually for a Cold War Soviet aircraft, its 17 m (55.8 ft) span wing employs an American NACA 64-618 airfoil at the wing root, transitioning to an NACA 64-616 section at the wingtip. The A-15 carries 50 kg (110 lb) of water ballast. The landing gear is a retractable monowheel.[1][2]

A total of 350 A-15s were built.[1]

Operational history

The A-15 was used to set many world records, including a world goal distance record of 714.023 km (444 mi), flown in June 1960.[1]

In August 2011, there was one A-15 registered with the Federal Aviation Administration in the United States.[3]

Specifications (Antonov A-15)

Data from The World's Sailplanes:Die Segelflugzeuge der Welt:Les Planeurs du Monde Volume II[4] Sailplane Directory[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Length: 7.2 m (23 ft 7 in)
  • Wingspan: 17 m (55 ft 9 in)
  • Height: 1.15 m (3 ft 9 in) at cockpit
  • Wing area: 12 m2 (130 sq ft)
  • Aspect ratio: 24
  • Airfoil: Root: NACA 643618, Tip: NACA 633616
  • Empty weight: 273 kg (602 lb)
  • Gross weight: 380 kg (838 lb)

Performance

  • Stall speed: 55 km/h (34 mph, 30 kn)
  • Never exceed speed: 250 km/h (160 mph, 130 kn)
  • Rough air speed max: 250 km/h (155.3 mph; 135.0 kn)
  • Aerotow speed: 140 km/h (87.0 mph; 75.6 kn)
  • Winch launch speed: 120 km/h (74.6 mph; 64.8 kn)
  • g limits: +7.5 -3 at 250 km/h (155.3 mph; 135.0 kn)
  • Maximum glide ratio: 40 at 100 km/h (62.1 mph; 54.0 kn)
  • Rate of sink: 0.6 m/s (120 ft/min) at 90 km/h (55.9 mph; 48.6 kn)
  • Wing loading: 31.6 kg/m2 (6.5 lb/sq ft)

See also

Related development

Related lists

Notes
  1. Activate Media (2006). "A-15 Antonov". 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. Federal Aviation Administration (August 2011). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved 15 August 2011.
  4. Shenstone, B.S.; K.G. Wilkinson (1963). The World's Sailplanes:Die Segelflugzeuge der Welt:Les Planeurs du Monde Volume II (in English, French, and German) (1st ed.). Zurich: Organisation Scientifique et Technique Internationale du Vol a Voile (OSTIV) and Schweizer Aero-Revue. pp. 245–246.

References
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