The Prue UHP-1 is an American high-wing, single-seat, T-tailed FAI Open Class glider that was designed by Irving Prue.[1][2][3]
| UHP-1 | |
|---|---|
| Role | Glider |
| National origin | United States |
| Designer | Irving Prue |
| First flight | 1967 |
| Introduction | 1967 |
| Produced | 1966 and 1974 |
| Number built | Two |
Design and development edit
The prototype Prue UHP-1 was constructed by Prue, completed in 1966 and first flown in 1967.[1][2][3]
The prototype features a NACA 63-618, with an all-metal wing with doped aircraft fabric covering aft of the wing spar. This arrangement did not hold the correct airfoil shape at high speeds according to tests conducted. The fuselage is also of all-metal construction and features a fixed monowheel landing gear, coupled with a skid, a conventional T-tail and a drag chute. Aside from the drag chute, glide path control is via spoilers.[1][2][4]
Two Prue UHP-1s were built, the second incorporating many changes to the design. Both aircraft were registered as Experimental - Amateur-builts.[1][2][3]
Operational history edit
The second UHP-1 built was reported by the owner as having good handling characteristics and a lower minimum sink speed than a Schleicher ASW 17.[2]
As of June 2011 both aircraft are still registered with the Federal Aviation Administration.[3]
Variants edit
- UHP-1
- Initial prototype with fixed landing gear.[1][2]
- UHP-1 Modified
- The second aircraft, built in 1974, which incorporates an all-metal wing to address the fabric issues on the first aircraft. It also has retractable monowheel landing gear, the nose and canopy from a Schempp-Hirth Open Cirrus, flaps, water ballast and a fully trimmable tailplane. The aircraft is officially registered with the FAA as a UHP-1 MODIFIED and has an empty weight that is more than 100 lb (45 kg) heavier than the prototype.[1][2][3]
Specifications (UHP-1 Modified) edit
Data from Sailplane Directory and Soaring[1][2]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Wingspan: 57 ft 0 in (17.37 m)
- Wing area: 114 sq ft (10.6 m2)
- Aspect ratio: 28.5:1
- Airfoil: NACA 63-618
- Empty weight: 505 lb (229 kg)
- Gross weight: 889 lb (403 kg)
Performance
- Maximum glide ratio: 40 at 69 mph (111 km/h)
- Rate of sink: 96 ft/min (0.49 m/s) at 49 mph (79 km/h)
- Wing loading: 7.8 lb/sq ft (38 kg/m2)
See also edit
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g Activate Media (2006). "UHP-1 Prue". Archived from the original on February 1, 2013. Retrieved June 18, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Said, Bob: 1983 Sailplane Directory, Soaring Magazine, page 57, Soaring Society of America November 1983. USPS 499-920
- ^ a b c d e Federal Aviation Administration (June 2011). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved June 18, 2011.
- ^ Lednicer, David (2010). "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". Archived from the original on April 20, 2010. Retrieved June 15, 2011.