Let L-33 Solo
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Let L-33 Solo is a Czech shoulder-wing, single-seat, glider, designed by Marian Meciar and Vaclav Zajic, and produced by Let Kunovice. The L-33 first flew in 1992 and remained in production through 2012, supplied as a ready-to-fly aircraft.[1][2][3]
| L-33 Solo | |
|---|---|
| |
| General information | |
| Type | Glider |
| National origin | Czech Republic |
| Manufacturer | Let Kunovice |
| Designer | Marian Meciar and Vaclav Zajic |
| Status | In production (2012) |
| Number built | 94 (2011) |
| History | |
| Manufactured | 1992–present |
| Introduction date | 1992 |
| First flight | 1992 |
Design and development
The L-33 was a developed as the single-seat "natural step" for early solo students to fly after dual training on the two-seat LET L-23 Super Blaník. The L-33 features a cantilever wing, a T-tail, a single-seat enclosed cockpit under a bubble canopy and fixed monowheel gear.[1][2]
The semi-monocoque design is made from flush riveted aluminum sheet. The rudder is covered with doped aircraft fabric. Its 14.12 m (46.3 ft) span, semi-tapered wing employs a Wortmann FX-60-17A11-182 airfoil at the wing root, transitioning to an FX-60-126 at the wing tip. The wing has an area of 11 m2 (120 sq ft) and mounts top surface Schempp-Hirth-style air brakes.[1][2][4]
The L-33 was a competitor in the IGC World Class sailplane design competition, but lost to the Polish Politechnika Warszawska PW-5. The design is type certified to JAR 22 in Argentina, Canada, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States.[1][2][3]
Operational history
By November 2012, 92 examples had been produced. In March 2025, 42 examples are registered with the Federal Aviation Administration in the United States, 4 with Transport Canada and one with the British Civil Aviation Authority.[1][5][6][7]
Specifications (L-33 Solo)
Data from Bayerl and the Sailplane Directory[1][2]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Wingspan: 14.12 m (46 ft 4 in)
- Wing area: 11 m2 (120 sq ft)
- Aspect ratio: 18.12:1
- Empty weight: 210 kg (463 lb)
- Gross weight: 340 kg (750 lb)
Performance
- Stall speed: 65 km/h (40 mph, 35 kn)
- Never exceed speed: 248 km/h (154 mph, 134 kn)
- Maximum glide ratio: 33:1 at 83 km/h (52 mph)
- Rate of sink: 0.66 m/s (130 ft/min)
- Wing loading: 30.9 kg/m2 (6.3 lb/sq ft)
See also
Related lists
