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