AERODYNAMIC CONCEPT FOR A SAILPLANE WTH A BACK-SWEPT WING

Abstract

This concept explains, that learning from the results of several recent tailless sailplane projects, it should be possible to achieve increased aerodynamic performance of a sailplane with a conventional tail by sweeping back the wing with an angle of 5 degrees up to 15 degrees. Relatively large but conventional winglets and the conventional twist of the conventionally profiled wing would contribute to the directional and pitch stability of the sailplane in the magnitude of 30 degree h. ln consequence, the conventional vertical and horizontal tail could be reduced by about 30% in surface or length. It is predicted that the aerodynamic performance of such a wing would suffer not or neglectable from the small sweeping angle with respect of a unswept wing while the sailplane would fully profit from the reduced drag of the reduced tail.