Fauvel AV.22

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AV.22
Type Sailplane and motorglider
Manufacturer Homebuilt
Designed by Charles Fauvel
Maiden flight 5 April 1956

The Fauvel AV.22 was an unorthodox glider produced in France in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. Originally intended to be produced in series, it was later marketed to homebuilders. Like other Charles Fauvel designs, it was a tailless aircraft, and this particular design featured wings with a slight forward sweep. The original AV.22 design was unpowered, but later versions were equipped with an engine mounted in the nose for self-launching. The AV.22 was entered in a 1959 competition to select a standard glider for the French aeroclubs, but lost to the Wassmer Bijave.

The first powered version was the AV.221, which flew on 8 April 1965. In addition to the powerplant, the fuselage was also redesigned to accommodate a passenger side-by-side with the pilot. A simplified version of this aircraft was marketed for homebuilding as the AV.222. Options included a choice of airfoils, and either one or two mainwheels as undercarriage.

[edit] Variants

  • AV.22 - initial glider version
    • AV.221 - two-seat motor glider
    • AV.222 - simplified AV.221 for homebuilding.

[edit] Specifications (AV.222)

General characteristics

  • Crew: One pilot
  • Capacity: 1 passenger
  • Length: 5.22 m (17 ft 2 in)
  • Wingspan: 16.40 m (53 ft 10 in)
  • Wing area: 23.0 m² (248 ft²)
  • Aspect ratio: 12.0
  • Empty weight: 325 kg (716 lb)
  • Gross weight: 550 kg (1,212 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Volkswagen automotive engine, 45 kW (60 hp)

Performance

  • Maximum glide ratio: 26
  • Rate of climb: 3.0 m/s (590 ft/min)
  • Rate of sink: 0.9 m/s (177 ft/min)


[edit] References

  • Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions, 381. 
  • Coates, Andrew (1978). Jane's World Sailplanes and Motor Gliders. London: MacDonald and Jane's, 31. 
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Aircraft designed by Charles Fauvel

AV.1 • AV.2 • AV.3 • AV.7 • AV.10 • AV.14 • AV.17 • AV.22 • AV.28 • AV.29 • AV.30 • AV.31 • AV.32 • AV.33 • AV.35 • AV.36 • AV.37 • AV.42 • AV.44 • AV.45 • AV.46 • AV.48 • AV.50 • AV.60 • AV.61
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