Glasflügel 401

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Kestrel in flight
Kestrel in flight

The Glasflügel H-401 "Kestrel" is a glider, that has been developed 1968 for the open class.

The Kestrel can be seen as the prototype of the today 18 meter class. The ship was ahead of its time and is even today very popular with a spacious Cockpit and a good balance between performance and agility.

129 gliders were built between 1968 and 1975. The name is derived from its flying "brother"-bird Kestrel.

Over the years many competitions and records could be won with a Kestrel. Non-pilots in Europe may have heard of it in the 1970s through news, books or films about Jochen von Kalckreuth, who flew many records at that time in the Alps.

In May 2005, Gordon Boettger flew 2,050 km with his Kestrel in waves along the Sierra Nevada in the USA.

[edit] Technical data

Glasflügel H-401 "Kestrel":
Characteristic Data
Wingspan    17,00 m
Wing area   11,58 m²
Aspect ratio   25
Airfoil   FX 67-K-170/FX 67-K-150
Landing    Schempp-Hirth-Brakes, Flaps 40 Degrees, Parachute
Length    6,72 m
Gear   retractable
Maximum speed    250 km/h
Empty weight    260 kp
Maximum weight    400 kp
Glide ratio    41,5 at 100 km/h
Designer    Eugen Hänle
First flight    9. August 1968

[edit] Sources