Glider Take-off, Club Planeadores Bariloche, Nahuel Huapi Aerodrome, Argentina.
As it has no engine, the glider needs help from a tug plane to take off. The take-off of the set connected by a cable is one of the most graceful spectacles in aviation.
The glider is very light. The model we glide, the Grob G 103 Twin Astir is a glass-reinforced plastic two-seat sailplane, made in Germany, weighs just 400 kg (empty). Therefore, when being towed by a motorized aircraft, the device takes off in little space, even before the tug plane.
With the long wings, the glider quickly gains lift and with little speed it can already glide. Takeoff is very short: the aircraft takes off at around 60 km/h and is towed until it reaches a safe altitude for free flight.
With about 300 meters of altitude and speed above 120 km/h, the glider can be released from the cable. At that moment, the aircraft suffers a slight jolt and begins to fly independently. Soon after releasing the trailer, the device starts to fly very smoothly. There is no feeling of an engine pulling the plane forward.
Wingspan: 17.50 m
Fuselage length: 8.12 m
Empty weight: 400 Kg
Maximum weight: 650 Kg
Maximum speed (VNE): 250 km/h
Glider Take-off, Club Planeadores Bariloche, Nahuel Huapi Aerodrome, Argentina.
As it has no engine, the glider needs help from a tug plane to take off. The take-off of the set connected by a cable is one of the most graceful spectacles in aviation.
The glider is very light. The model we glide, the Grob G 103 Twin Astir is a glass-reinforced plastic two-seat sailplane, made in Germany, weighs just 400 kg (empty). Therefore, when being towed by a motorized aircraft, the device takes off in little space, even before the tug plane.
With the long wings, the glider quickly gains lift and with little speed it can already glide. Takeoff is very short: the aircraft takes off at around 60 km/h and is towed until it reaches a safe altitude for free flight.
With about 300 meters of altitude and speed above 120 km/h, the glider can be released from the cable. At that moment, the aircraft suffers a slight jolt and begins to fly independently. Soon after releasing the trailer, the device starts to fly very smoothly. There is no feeling of an engine pulling the plane forward.
Wingspan: 17.50 m
Fuselage length: 8.12 m
Empty weight: 400 Kg
Maximum weight: 650 Kg
Maximum speed (VNE): 250 km/h