Rensselaer RP-3 explained
The
Rensselaer RP-3 (for
Rensselaer Polytechnic design 3) is an American mid-wing,
T-tailed single-seat,
glider that was designed by Brian E. Thompson and produced by the
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute of
Troy, New York.
[1] [2] It first flew in 1998.
[3] Design and development
The RP-3 was the third aircraft design in Rensselaer's Composite Aircraft Program and was completed in 1998.
The aircraft is of composite construction. Its 541NaN1 span wing employs a Wortmann FX-67-K170/17 airfoil and features split flaps. The landing gear is a retractable monowheel, with an auxiliary tailwheel. The aircraft is considerably larger and heavier than its predecessors, the RP-1 and RP-2, with an empty weight of 6500NaN0 and a gross weight of 10000NaN0. Despite its large wingspan the RP-3 achieved only a 32:1 glide ratio.[4]
Only one RP-3 was built and it was registered with the Federal Aviation Administration in the Experimental - Amateur-built category.
Aircraft on display
External links
Notes and References
- Web site: Rensselaer RP-3. 24 August 2011. Activate Media. 2006. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120902052151/http://www.sailplanedirectory.com/rensselaer.htm. 2 September 2012.
- Web site: Make / Model Inquiry Results. 24 August 2011. Federal Aviation Administration. August 2011.
- Web site: J2mcL Planeurs - Fiche planeur n° . 2022-05-21 . www.j2mcl-planeurs.net.
- Web site: The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage . 1 August 2011. Lednicer . David . 2010.
- Web site: Aircraft N397RP Photo. 24 August 2011. Berek. Daniel L.. May 2011.
