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Schreder HP-12A

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HP-12A
Role Glider
National origin United States
Designer Richard Schreder
First flight 1978
Introduction 1978
Number built three

The Schreder HP-12A is an American homebuilt, mid-wing, V tailed, single-seat glider that was assembled out of various components all designed by Richard Schreder.[1][2]

The aircraft is often confused with a completely different aircraft, the Schreder HP-12.[2]

Design and development

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The first HP-12A (HP stands for high performance) was built by a series of amateur sailplane builders, each contributing to the construction. It started off with Art Heabener of New Jersey constructing a rear fuselage from the plans for the original HP-12. The incomplete aircraft was then purchased by Tom Hall of Florida who built a set of HP-14 wings for it and then moved the incomplete aircraft to California and later to Illinois. It was in Illinois that Hall sold the still-incomplete aircraft to Rudy Kunda and Bill Carlson in 1977. They completed the aircraft in 1978.[1][2]

The finished aircraft retains the HP-12 rear fuselage and HP-14 wings and has added an HP-18 V-tail and the forward fuselage from an HP-10. Kunda indicated that he does not know why the Federal Aviation Administration identifies it as an HP-12A, but it is a 100% Schreder design.[1][2]

Operational history

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In April 2011 the FAA registry listed three HP-12As.[3]

Specifications (HP-12A)

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Data from Sailplane Directory and Soaring[1][2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Wingspan: 54 ft 7 in (16.64 m)
  • Wing area: 138.3 sq ft (12.85 m2)
  • Aspect ratio: 21.6:1
  • Airfoil: Wortmann FX 61-163
  • Empty weight: 525 lb (238 kg)
  • Gross weight: 755 lb (342 kg)

Performance

  • Maximum glide ratio: 39:1 at 55 mph (89 km/h)
  • Rate of sink: 108 ft/min (0.55 m/s) at 47 mph (76 km/h)
  • Wing loading: 5.45 lb/sq ft (26.6 kg/m2)

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d Activate Media (2006). "HP-12A HP Aircraft, LLC". Archived from the original on 5 April 2012. Retrieved 13 April 2011.
  2. ^ a b c d e Said, Bob: 1983 Sailplane Directory, Soaring Magazine, page 19. Soaring Society of America, November 1983. USPS 499-920
  3. ^ Federal Aviation Administration (April 2011). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved 13 April 2011.