Schempp-Hirth Ventus

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The Schempp-Hirth Ventus is a sailplane produced during 1980-1994 by Schempp-Hirth, a German sailplane manufacturer.^[1] It was designed by Klaus Holighaus and replaced the Schempp-Hirth Mini-Nimbus. Schempp-Hirth manufactured 613 Ventus sailplanes.

Design and Developmment

The decline in the cost of carbon fibre during the 1970s allowed sailplane designers to design large components from carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP). The use of carbon-fibre lay-ups, designed to reduce aero-elasticity of wings, has allowed CFRP gliders to be designed to cruise at much higher speeds than those with wings made from fibreglass (GFRP) or wood, as well as take advantage of thinner aerofoil sections. The Ventus has a 15 metre wingspan, using CFRP in its structure, complying with 15m Racing Class specifications. Extended wingtips can be fitted to increase the span to 16.6 metres for competition in the Open Class. The fuselage was also produced in two sizes to suit pilots of different heights - the Ventus A for short pilots and Ventus B with a longer and wider cockpit. Both Ventus A and Ventus B have a complex flap/brake arrangement similar to that of the Glasflügel Mosquito and the Mini-Nimbus, but the Ventus C reverted to conventional upper-surface air-brakes that are separate from the trailing-edge flaps.

Wingtip extensions could be fitted to the Ventus A and B to increase the wingspan to 16.6 m. Longer extensions could be fitted to the Ventus C to increase the span to 17.6m. Modified extensions with winglets are also available. Some Ventus Bs and Cs are equipped with a small sustaining engine ("turbo") and are designated with a T while some are equipped with a more powerful engine and are self-launching and are designated with an M.

The best measured glide ratio of a Ventus at 15 metres wingspan is 44:1, improving to 46:1 with the 16.6 metre tips, giving a creditable performance for the 1980s and 1990s. Ventus sailplanes won two World Gliding Championships, competing against the ASW 20 and later the LS6 in the 15m class. Whilst the Ventus A and B acquired reputations for unparalleled high-speed glide performance, the Ventus C introduced improvements in handling.

About 613 Ventus sailplanes were built before being replaced by the Schempp-Hirth Ventus 2 in 1995.

Variants

(data from Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH)

Ventus A (15m / 16.6m): The production standard 15m class Ventus with shorter and narrower cockpit.
Ventus B (15m / 16.6m): Production aircraft with larger cockpit for larger pilot.
Ventus BT (15m / 16.6m): The Ventus B with a retractable sustainer motor.
Ventus C (15m / 17.6m): Later model with improved handling and air brakes separate from the trailing-edge flaps.
Ventus CT (15m / 17.6m): The Ventus C with a retractable sustainer motor.
Ventus CM (15m / 17.6m): The Ventus C with a retractable motor for self-launching.

Specifications (Ventus A with 15 metre wing)

General characteristics

Crew: one
Capacity: 160 kg (350 lb) water ballast
Length: 6.35 m (20 ft 10 in)
Wingspan: 15.00 m (49 ft 3 in)
Height: 1.30 m (4 ft 3 in)
Wing area: 9.5 m² (102 ft²)
Aspect ratio: 23.7
Wing profile: FX 79-K-144
Empty weight: 214 kg (471 lb)
Gross weight: 525 kg (1,155 lb)

Performance

Maximum speed: 250 km/h (160 mph)
Maximum glide ratio: ca. 44
Rate of sink: 0.59 m/s (116 ft/min)

Notes

↑ Sailplane directory

References

Johnson R,
A FTE of the Ventus A, Soaring, December 1981
A FTE of the Ventus B, Soaring, June 1982
A FTE of the 16.6m Ventus, Soaring, April 1984
Thomas F, Fundamentals of Sailplane Design, College Park Press, 1999
Simons M, Segelflugzeuge 1965-2000, Eqip, 2004
Specifications of Schempp-Hirth Ventus

External links

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v t e Schempp-Hirth glider types

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GRP construction	Arcus Discus Discus 2 Duo Discus Janus Nimbus Nimbus 2 Nimbus 3 Nimbus 4 Mini-Nimbus Open Cirrus Quintus Standard Cirrus Ventus Ventus-2

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