Glasflügel H-301

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**Glasflügel Libelle**
[[Image:\|250px\|Glasflügel H-301 Libelle]]
Type designation	H-301 Libelle
Competition class	15-metre
Number built	111
Crew	1
Length	6.19 m
Height	1.25 m
Cockpit width	0.59 m
Cockpit height	0.85 m
Wingspan	15 m
Wing area	9.50 m²
Aspect ratio	23.6
Empty mass	ca. 180 kg
Water ballast	50 kg
Maximum mass	300 kg
Wing loading	31.5 kg/m²
Maximum speed	220 km/h
Rough air speed	220 km/h
Maneuver speed	150 km/h
Minimum sink rate	ca. 0.55 m/s at 75 km/h
Glide ratio	ca. 39 at 95 km/h
Roll rate	-45º to +45º bank

The Glasflügel H-301 Libelle is an early composite 15-metre Class single-seat sailplane produced by Glasflügel from 1964 to 1969.

[edit] History

In 1964 the H-301 Libelle ("Dragonfly") received the first German and first U.S. Type Certificate issued to an all-fiberglass aircraft. It had flaps, waterballast and retractable land gear.

There are two canopy variants: the normal canopy and a sleeker, lower-profiled 'racing' canopy with no side vent. The canopy is unusual in having a catch that enables the front to be raised by 25mm in flight to provide a blast of ventilating air if required, instead of the more conventional small sliding panel used for this purpose.

The American Will Schuemann pioneered several performance-enhancing modifications to the type. Exemplars incorporating these changes are informally known as 'Schümanised' Libelles.

The H-201 Standard Libelle was developed in 1967 as a Standard Class variant.

The Libelle was a very popular and influential design. Its very light wings and extremely easy rigging set a new benchmark. Handling is generally easy except that it is quite sensitive to sideslipping and has relatively ineffective airbrakes that make short landings tricky for inexperienced pilots.

The Standard Libelle was superseded by the Mosquito.