Rensselaer RP-1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| RP-1 | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| General information | |
| Type | Glider |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute |
| Status | Project completed |
| Number built | one |
| History | |
| First flight | 1980 |
The Rensselaer RP-1 (for Rensselaer Polytechnic design 1) is an American low-wing, single-seat, foot-launchable[how?] prototype glider that was designed and built by the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute of Troy, New York.[1] It first flew in 1980.[2]
The RP-1 was partly funded by NASA and was the first aircraft in Rensselaer's Composite Aircraft Program.[1]
The aircraft is of mixed construction, made from composites, Kevlar and PVC foam. Its 37.5 ft (11.4 m) span wing employs a Wortmann FX-63-137 airfoil. The aircraft weighs just 116 lb (53 kg) and was intended to be foot-launched.[how?] The landing gear consists of a main skid and dual tail skids. The aircraft achieved a 20:1 glide ratio. Only one was completed; it has been preserved at the Empire State Aerosciences Museum in Schenectady, New York.[1][3]
