| 205 Club Libelle | |
|---|---|
| Role | Glider |
| National origin | West Germany |
| Introduction | 1975 |
| Status | Production completed |
| Number built | 171 (as of 1983) |
| Developed from | Glasflügel H201 |
The Glasflügel 205 Club Libelle is a West German high wing, T-tailed, single seat glider that was designed and produced by Glasflügel for club and rental use.[1][2]
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The Glasflügel H-201 Standard Libelle proved immensely popular, but was not an optimal aircraft for club and rental use, due to its mid-wing and low tail which could both be damaged in off-airport landings. Also its small cockpit fits only a certain demographic percentage of soaring pilots. The company developed the 205 with the design goals of a simple, rugged aircraft that would withstand club and fixed base operator rental use. The resulting aircraft has a high-wing and a T-tail to provide more obstacle clearance as well as a larger cockpit. To eliminate gear-up landings the monowheel landing gear is non-retractable.[1][2]
The aircraft is constructed from fibreglass. New wings were designed for the 205 that use a double-taper planform and incorporate combination spoilers and flaps that occupy two thirds of the wing's trailing edge. The 15.0 m (49.2 ft) span wing employs a Wortmann FX 66-17A II 182 airfoil, the same as is used on the Standard Libelle and the Glasflügel 206 Hornet.[1][2][3]
The Club Libelle was type certified in Germany as well as in the United States. The US certification was granted on 8 September 1975 and includes aerobatic approval for spins, loops, hammerhead turns and lazy eights. Due to its fibreglass construction, the aircraft's certification contains the restriction: "All external portions of the glider exposed to sunlight must be painted white. Registration and competition numbers must be painted blue-gray or in any other light color."[4]
In July 2011 there were six 205s on the United States Federal Aviation Administration registry.[5]
Data from Sailplane Directory, Soaring and US Type Certificate G12eu[1][2][4]
General characteristics
Performance
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