Sands Replica 1929 Primary Glider Explained
The
Sands Replica 1929 Primary Glider is an American high-wing,
wire-braced single-seat,
primary glider that was designed by Ron Sands Sr for
amateur construction, with kits supplied by Wicks Aircraft Supply. The plans are now sold by Sands' son, Ron Sands Jr.
[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] Design and development
Sands developed his replica 1929-style primary glider from the original designs of that era. He promotes it as "much safer than hang gliders or ultralights... [an] excellent project for school or clubs".
The aircraft is made from wood, tube and doped aircraft fabric. Its 321NaN1 span wing is cable-braced from a king post and employs a Clark Y airfoil. Like all primary gliders the cockpit is just a seat mounted on the keel with no windshield fitted. The landing gear is a fixed skid, fitted to the underside of the keel. The aircraft is designed to be bungee launched from a slope or auto-towed. The aircraft can be disassembled for storage or ground transportation.
Sands estimates that construction takes 200 hours. In 2011 plans cost US$40 and included two 24" by 36" (60 X 90 cm) sheets, a materials list and "Safety Tips". In 2015 the available Wicks five part kit totaled US$7644.14.
Variants
Plans for a steel tube fuselage version are also available.
Notes and References
- Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, page 314. BAI Communications.
- Web site: Replica 1929 Primary Glider Plans. 28 September 2011. Sands. Ron. June 2010.
- Web site: Ron Sands Replicas. 28 September 2011. Sands. Ron. June 2010.
- Web site: Aircraft Kits - Experimental Replica Primary Glider . 1 March 2014. Wicks Aircraft Supply. n.d..
- Downey, Julia: 2002 Plans Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 19, Number 1, January 2002, page 28. Kitplanes Acquisition Company. ISSN 0891-1851
- Downey, Julia: 2003 Plans Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 20, Number 1, January 2003, page 27. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
