Posnansky/Fronius PF-1 White Knight

The Posnansky/Fronius PF-1 White Knight is a Swiss/American FAI Standard Class high-wing, T-tailed, single-seat glider that was designed and constructed by Hernan Posnansky and later greatly redesigned by Posnansky and Robert L. Fronius.[1][2]

PF-1 White Knight
Role Glider
National origin Swiss/United States
Designer Hernan Posnansky and Robert L. Fronius
Introduction 1963
Status sole example still operational
Number built one

Design and development

The PF-1 was initially constructed by Posnansky in Switzerland in 1963, while he was a student at ETH Zurich there. The aircraft resembles the FFA Diamant, which was also under construction at the same time and place. Posnansky flew the aircraft for one year and then later moved to San Diego, California. The aircraft was inactive until 1983. Posnansky and Fronius greatly modified the PF-1 and re-licensed it as a US Experimental - Amateur-built, N15PF, in 1983.[1][2][3]

The PF-1 is of mixed construction. The fuselage is a glass and foam sandwich, while the wings are from a Schleicher Ka 8 and thus have spruce spars covered in birch plywood and doped aircraft fabric covering. The wing employs a NACA 64-415 airfoil and has terminal velocity dive brakes on the top and bottom surfaces. The tow hook is mounted on the aircraft's center of gravity. The landing gear is a fixed and faired monowheel. The cockpit features a reclined pilot position and a side-stick.[1][2][4]

Even though it uses the same wing as the Ka 8 the White Knight has a glide ratio that is seven points higher, due to the more streamlined fuselage.[1][2]

Only one PF-1 was ever built.[1][2][3]

Operational history

As of June 2011 the PF-1 was still on the Federal Aviation Administration registry and co-owned by Posnansky and Fronius.[3]

Specifications (PF-1)

Data from Sailplane Directory and Soaring[1][2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Wingspan: 49 ft 3 in (15 m)
  • Wing area: 153 sq ft (14.2 m2)
  • Aspect ratio: 15.9:1
  • Airfoil: NACA 64-415
  • Empty weight: 431 lb (195 kg)
  • Gross weight: 660 lb (299 kg)

Performance

  • Maximum glide ratio: 34:1
  • Rate of sink: 120 ft/min (0.61 m/s)

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References
  1. Activate Media (2006). "White Knight PF-1 Posnansky". Archived from the original on 19 August 2012. Retrieved 9 June 2011.
  2. Said, Bob: 1983 Sailplane Directory, Soaring Magazine, page 52. Soaring Society of America November 1983. USPS 499-920
  3. Federal Aviation Administration (June 2011). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved 9 June 2011.
  4. Lednicer, David (2010). "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". Archived from the original on 20 April 2010. Retrieved 9 June 2011.


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