TeST TST-13 Junior

TST-13 Junior
Role Motor glider
National origin Czech Republic
Manufacturer TeST sro (Division of Comp-Let sro), Velké Meziříĉi
Number built 5 by 2007
Developed from TeST TST-9 Junior, TeST TST-10 Atlas

The TeST TST-13 Junior is a single-seat touring motor glider with a nose mounted engine, built by TeST in Czech Republic. It is an all composite design which succeeded the TeST TST-9 Junior motor glider in production, incorporating some features of the TeST TST-10 Atlas sailplane, including its wing.[1]

Development and design

TeST introduced the TST-13 single seat motor glider in 2005 as an all-composite replacement for their wood and composite TST-9. It has a similar layout, front engined and with a high T-tail. The TST-13 shares a similar rear fuselage and tail design and identical wing spars with the all-composite TST-10 single seat sailplane. It is a mid wing design with straight tapered wings which, unlike those of the TST-10, are swept forward 5° at 25% chord. The wing tips carry winglets and there are outboard ailerons, two position flaps and upper surface spoilers.[2]

The fuselage of the TST-13 is built from two half shells which incorporate the straight tapered fin. The fuselage tapers rearwards, producing an arched shape below. The tailplane carries a single piece elevator. The light aircraft style cockpit has a rear hinged, single piece canopy and is placed ahead of the wing leading edge. The TST-13 has a tailwheel undercarriage, with spatted mainwheels on fuselage-mounted, sprung, cantilever legs.[2]

There is a choice of two engines: either a 31 kW (42 hp) Rotax 447 or a 37 kW (50 hp) Rotax 503.[2] The 447 drives a propeller which is only adjustable in pitch on the ground, but that of the 503, geared down 2:1, can be feathered in flight. Feathering improves the best glide ratio from 1:24 to 1:32. The greater power of the Rotax 503 increases the cruising speed by about 10 km/h and the climb rate to about 6 m/s (1,200 ft/min).[3]

Operational history

5 TST-13s had been built by 2007.[2] In mid-2010 2 appeared on civil aircraft registers of European countries west of Russia.[4] The TST-13 is designed to meet the US LSA glider constraints and is S-LSA registerable.[3]

Specifications (Rotax 447 engine)

Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2010/11[2]

General characteristics

Performance

See also


References

  1. Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 137. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Jackson, Paul (2010). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2010-11. Coulsdon, Surrey: IHS Jane's. p. 177. ISBN 978-0-7106-2916-6.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Official website
  4. Partington, Dave (2010). European registers handbook 2010. Air Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN 978-0-85130-425-0.

External links

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