Kohler Alpha

The Kohler Alpha is an American, mid-wing, V-tailed, FAI Open Class single seat glider that was designed and built by Spud Kohler of Cleveland, Ohio.[1][2][3]

Alpha
Kohler Alpha
Role Glider
National origin United States
Designer Spud Kohler
First flight 1965
Introduction 1965
Number built One
Developed from Schreder Airmate HP-11

Design and development

Kohler built the Alpha in 1965 as a development of the Schreder Airmate HP-11. He used the wings from the HP-11 and combined this with a newly designed fuselage and tail. Kohler expressed the opinion that a sailplane's performance is mostly determined by its wing, while the fuselage imparts character to the design. The fuselage that he designed must have contributed to the performance, though, as the Alpha has a glide ratio two points higher than the HP-11 with the same wing.[1][2]

The Alpha fuselage is made from wood, with some fiberglass components incorporated. The fuselage uses a circular cross-section from nose to tail, with the diameter varying from the 12 in (30 cm) diameter at the tail to a 24 in (61 cm) diameter at the cockpit. The HP-11 wing is of all-metal and features a 26:1 aspect ratio, a 52 ft (15.8 m) wingspan and a NACA 65 (3)-618 airfoil. The v-tail is removable by first removing the tailcone and then withdrawing two pins. The controls are adapted from a Piper PA-24 Comanche. The landing gear is a retractable monowheel and a tail skid. The tail skid was later replaced with a tail wheel.[2]

Operational history

The Alpha had a number of owners and, according to Federal Aviation Administration registry records was most recently transferred to the Jimmy Doolittle Air & Space Museum at Travis Air Force Base, in Solano County, California. The museum does not currently indicate the aircraft is part of their collection, nor is it on display.[3][4][5]

Specifications (Alpha)

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

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Wingspan: 52 ft 0 in (15.85 m)
  • Wing area: 104 sq ft (9.7 m2)
  • Aspect ratio: 26:1
  • Airfoil: NACA 65 (3)-618
  • Empty weight: 420 lb (191 kg)
  • Gross weight: 650 lb (295 kg)

Performance

  • Maximum glide ratio: 39:1 at 60 mph (97 km/h)
  • Rate of sink: 129 ft/min (0.66 m/s) at 55 mph (89 km/h)
  • Wing loading: 6.25 lb/sq ft (30.5 kg/m2)

See also

Related development

Related lists

References
  1. Activate Media (2006). "HP-11 Airmate HP Aircraft, LLC". Archived from the original on August 20, 2011. Retrieved May 19, 2011.
  2. Said, Bob: 1983 Sailplane Directory, Soaring Magazine, page 45. Soaring Society of America November 1983. USPS 499-920
  3. Federal Aviation Administration (May 2011). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved May 19, 2011.
  4. Travis AFB (n.d.). "Travis Air Museum". Archived from the original on July 25, 2011. Retrieved May 19, 2011.
  5. Jimmy Doolittle Air & Space Museum (May 2011). "The Exhibits". Retrieved May 14, 2011.
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