| Replica 1929 Primary Glider | |
|---|---|
| Role | Glider |
| National origin | United States |
| Designer | Ron Sands Sr |
| Status | Plans and kits available |
| Number built | 55 (1998) |
| Unit cost | Plans US$40, kit total US$6761 (2011) |
The Sands Replica 1929 Primary Glider is an American high-wing, wire-braced single-seat, primary glider that was designed by Ron Sands Sr for amateur construction, with kits supplied by Wicks Aircraft Supply. The plans are now sold by Sands' son, Ron Sands Jr.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
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Sands developed his replica 1929-style primary glider from the original designs of that era. He promotes it as "much safer than hang gliders or ultralights... [an] excellent project for school or clubs".[1]
The aircraft is made from wood, tube and doped aircraft fabric. Its 32 ft (9.8 m) span wing is cable-braced from a king post and employs a Clark Y airfoil. Like all primary gliders the cockpit is just a seat mounted on the keel with no windshield fitted. The landing gear is a fixed skid, fitted to the underside of the keel. The aircraft is designed to be bungee launched from a slope or auto-towed. The aircraft can be disassembled for storage or ground transportation.[1][2][5][6]
Sands estimates that construction takes 200 hours. In 2011 plans cost US$40 and included two 24" by 36" (60 X 90 cm) sheets, a materials list and "Safety Tips". In 2011 the available Wicks five part kit totaled US$6761.[1][2][4]
Plans for a steel tube fuselage version are also available.[1][2]
Data from Purdy, Sands and Wicks[1][2][4]
General characteristics
Performance
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