Schempp-Hirth Nimbus-3

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The Schempp-Hirth Nimbus-3 is a glider built by Schempp-Hirth.

Design and development

The Nimbus-3 uses carbon-fibre extensively and has a new wing profile compared with the Nimbus-2. It has a four-piece carbon-fibre wing with a 22.9 metre span but may be increased to 24.5 or 25.5 metres with tip extensions. The outer wing panels are in fact slightly modified Ventus wings. When rolling at large aileron deflection, small spoiler flaps deploy at the inner wingtip to compensate for lack of rudder power. It was first flown on 21 February 1981 by its designer Dipl.-Ing Klaus Holighaus. A glide ratio of 60:1 has been claimed. The Nimbus-3T version has a sustainer engine.

Nimbus-3s took the first three places in the Open Class in the 1981 World Gliding Championships, but because of the expense of Open Class gliders there were only 12 entrants. In the next World Championships, it took the top six places and it won again in the 1985 'Worlds'.

The Nimbus-3D is the two-seater version. First flight was in May 1986. There is a slight forward sweep of the wings. There are also a self-launched version (Nimbus-3DM) and a sustainer version (Nimbus-3DT).

The successor was the Schempp-Hirth Nimbus-4.

Specifications (with 24.5 metre wings)

General characteristics

  • Crew: One
  • Capacity: 272 kg (600 lb) water ballast
  • Length: 7.63 m (25 ft 0 in)
  • Wingspan: 24.8 m (80 ft 5 in)
  • Height: 1.55 m (5 ft 1 in)
  • Wing area: 16.7 m2 (180 ft2)
  • Aspect ratio: 35.9
  • Wing profile: XX 79/18N2, ZZ 135/20
  • Empty weight: 396 kg (871 lb)
  • Gross weight: 700 kg (1,540 lb)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 270 km/h (170 mph)
  • Maximum glide ratio: ca. 58
  • Rate of sink: 0.42 m/s (83 ft/min)

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
Related lists

References

Schempp-Hirth glider types
Wooden construction
GRP construction
Lists relating to aviation
General
Military
Accidents/incidents
Records

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