| GHW-1 Cu-Climber | |
|---|---|
| Role | Glider |
| National origin | United States |
| Designer | George H. Wiederkehr |
| First flight | 1968 |
| Introduction | 1968 |
| Status | Sole example still flying |
| Number built | One |
The Wiederkehr GHW-1 Cu-Climber is an American, high-wing, single-seat glider that was designed by George H. Wiederkehr and first flown in 1968.[1][2]
Contents |
The Cu-Climber is an original design and is of mixed construction, with the fuselage of fibreglass with foam bullkheads, forming a semi-monocoque structure. The wings are a fiberglass and balsa sandwich, with fibreglass skin, except aft of the spar on the under-surface where aircraft fabric covering is employed. The wing also features a large 12 inch (30 cm) X 6 inch (15 cm) box spar that is made from spruce, plywood and fiberglass, which is stressed to +9.6/-6.3 g. The wing employs a Pfenninger 14% airfoil.[1][2][3]
The control surfaces include an all flying tail fitted with an anti-servo tab and full-span ailerons of very short chord that act as flaps when drooped for glidepath control. The landing gear is a fixed monowheel that is faired to reduce drag.[1][2]
The aircraft's designation of GHW-1 indicates the designer's initials. Unusually the aircraft is registered with the Federal Aviation Administration simply as Amateur Built 68 glider. Only one example was ever constructed.[1][2][3]
In 1983 Soaring Magazine reported that the GHW-1 was being regularly flown and that the designer was constructing a new GHW-2. In May 2011 the GHW-1 was still registered to Wiederkehr. The GHW-2 was completed and in May 2011 was owned by Anthony C. Wiederkehr.[2][3][4]
Data from Sailplane Directory and Soaring[1][2]
General characteristics
Performance
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