Scheibe Tandem-Falke

SF 28 Tandem-Falke
Tandem Falke Landing
Role Motorglider
National origin Germany
Manufacturer Scheibe
Designer Egon Scheibe
First flight May 1971[1]
Number built 119 by 1985[1]
Developed from Akaflieg München Mü13

The Scheibe SF 28 Tandem-Falke (English: "falcon") is a German motorglider that was designed by Egon Scheibe in 1970 and which flew for the first time in May the following year.[1] It was a development of the Scheibe Falke with (as its name suggests) seating in tandem rather than side-by-side as in the original Falke design.[1][2]

Development

The SF 28 is a low-wing, cantilever monoplane of conventional design with a large perspex canopy. The undercarriage consists of a non-retractable monowheel and a steerable tailwheel, linked to the rudder.[2] Small outrigger wheels are fitted to nylon legs under each wing.[1][2] The fuselage is of steel tube construction, covered in fabric[1] and the wings are constructed of wood and fabric around a single spar.[2]

Operational history

Scheibe entered at least one Tandem-Falke in the German Motor Glider Competition of 1977.[2] At least one SF28 was used by the Spanish military as 'UE 16-1' and demobilized in April 2008.[3]

Specifications (SF 28A)

Data from Jane's all the world's aircraft, 1985-86[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Capacity: 1
  • Length: 8.1 m (26 ft 7 in)
  • Wingspan: 16.3 m (53 ft 6 in)
  • Height: 1.55 m (5 ft 1 in)
  • Wing area: 18.5 m2 (199 sq ft)
  • Aspect ratio: 14.5
  • Airfoil: Göttingen 533
  • Empty weight: 410 kg (904 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 610 kg (1,345 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Limbach SL 1700 4-cyl. air-cooled horizontally-opposed piston engine, 49 kW (66 hp)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 180 km/h (110 mph, 97 kn)
  • Range: 520 km (320 mi, 280 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 5,000 m (16,000 ft)
  • Maximum glide ratio: 26:1 at 85 km/h (46 kn; 53 mph)
  • Rate of sink: 0.9 m/s (180 ft/min) at 69 km/h (37 kn; 43 mph)
  • Wing loading: 32.99 kg/m2 (6.76 lb/sq ft)

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

Notes

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Taylor, John W.R.; Munson, Kenneth, eds. (1985). Jane's all the world's aircraft, 1985-86 (76 ed.). London: Jane's Pub. p. 740. ISBN 9780710608215.
  2. ^ a b c d e Coates, Andrew (1978). Jane's World Sailplanes and Motor Gliders. London: MacDonald and Jane's. p. 67.
  3. ^ Adrian Harnett; Martin Condon; Stuart Greer. "Out of service military aircraft in Europe". eurodemobbed.org.uk. Retrieved 2015-08-08.

Further reading

  • Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. p. 595.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Scheibe SF 28.
  • Picture of the Spanish UE 16-1 - [1]