Schultz Nucleon
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| Nucleon | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Type | Glider |
| National origin | United States |
| Designer | |
| Status | No longer in production |
| Number built | One |
| History | |
| Introduction date | 1954 |
The Schultz Nucleon is an American high-wing strut-braced, single-seat glider that was designed and constructed by Arthur B. Schultz.[1][2]
The Nucleon was built by Schultz in 1954 and even though the wing was strut-braced the aircraft introduced some innovative construction techniques. The wing was carved from Styrofoam around its spar and then covered in fiberglass for a skin. The wing uses a NACA 65-415 airfoil, has full-span flaps and drooping ailerons, and is braced with a single faired strut. The strut-braced tailplane folds so that the aircraft can be loaded for ground transportation on a trailer.[1][2][3]
Only one Nucleon was built and it is registered in the Experimental - amateur-built category.[1][2][4]
Operational history
The aircraft was flown in the 1956 US Nationals and completed several 200 mi (322 km) cross country flights.[2]
In June 2011, 57 years after the aircraft was built, it was still on the US Federal Aviation Administration registry, listed as being subject to a sale.[4]
Specifications (Nucleon)
Data from Sailplane Directory and Soaring[1][2]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Wingspan: 46 ft 0 in (14.02 m)
- Wing area: 131 sq ft (12.2 m2)
- Aspect ratio: 16:1
- Airfoil: NACA 65-415
- Gross weight: 535 lb (243 kg)
Performance
- Maximum glide ratio: 22:1 at 47 mph (76 km/h)
- Rate of sink: 198 ft/min (1.01 m/s) at 43 mph (69 km/h)
- Wing loading: 4.1 lb/sq ft (20 kg/m2)