Pegna-Bonmartini Rondine

The Pegna-Bonmartini Rondine, or Pegna Rondine, is a single-seat ultralight sport aeroplane designed by Giovanni Pegna and built by Piaggio in Italy during 1923.[1][2]

Rondine
Role Single-seat ultralight sport aeroplane
National origin Italy
Manufacturer Piaggio & Co[1][2]
Designer Giovanni Pegna[1][2]
First flight 1923[1][2]
Number built 1[1][2]

Development

Probably inspired by the success of entrants to the Lympne ultra-light aeroplane trials, Signore Pegna designed the Rondine to take advantage of small low-powered light weight engines available at the time.[1][2]

Design

The Rondine is a mid-winged cantilever monoplane built primarily of wood with fabric-covered wings. The fuselage is noteworthy in being clinker or carvel built similar to boat building techniques. The single piece two-spar wings are of low aspect ratio and relatively thick so external bracing is unnecessary. Control is provided by conventional ailerons and rudder, with a small fixed fin and an all-flying tailplane and elevator mounted above the rear fuselage forward of the fin. The fixed undercarriage consists of braced trousered main legs and a tail-skid.[1][2]

Several powerplants were tested with poor results until the 404 cc (24.65 cu in) ABC 8 hp, used successfully in other contemporary ultra-light aircraft, fitted with a 3:1 reduction gear, was found to be satisfactory.[1][2]

Accommodation for the pilot is in an open cockpit, set at mid chord, with padded edges, protected from the slipstream by a three-piece windscreen.[1][2]

Specifications (Rondine)
Pegna-Bonmartini Rondine 3-view drawing from NACA-TM-301

Data from Flight, 23 December 1923[1][2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 6 m (19 ft 8 in)
  • Wingspan: 10 m (32 ft 10 in)
  • Wing area: 20 m2 (220 sq ft)
  • Aspect ratio: 5
  • Empty weight: 131 kg (289 lb)
  • Gross weight: 211 kg (465 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × ABC 8hp 2-cyl. air-cooled horizontally opposed piston engine, 6.0 kW (8 hp)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed fixed pitch propeller with 3:1 reduction gearing

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 70 km/h (43 mph, 38 kn)
  • Landing speed: 40 km/h (25 mph; 22 kn)
  • Lift-to-drag: 14

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References
  1. "THE PEGNA "RONDINE" LIGHT MONOPLANE 400 c.c A.B.C. Engine" (PDF). Flight: 779. 27 December 1923. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
  2. "THE PEGNA "RONDINE" LIGHT MONOPLANE 400 c.c A.B.C. Engine" (PDF). Flight: 780. 27 December 1923. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
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