First Flight: Anhtares 23E

On Dec 24, 9:12*am, Dave Nadler wrote:
Pictures Hehttp://lange-aviation.com/htm/englis...011_12_23.html

Lange's Antares 23E and Schempp-Hirth's Quintus have just completed
their first flights. These gliders were introduced and displayed in
April at the Aero show, and are now entering serial production
(8 sets of wings are already built at last report). At least 10
of these gliders will be racing in the upcoming world championships
in Uvalde.

These gliders are intended to be the ultimate open-class racers
while maintaining excellent handling, climb, and very fast roll
rate. The Boermans-designed wing for both these gliders is built
by Lange. Lange's wing tip/winglet is by Boermans but Schempp-
Hirth adds a bit of dihedral to the outer panels and different
winglets (by Dr. Mark Maughmer of Penn State). Lange offers the
electric propulsion system used in the Antares 20E and Arcus E,
while Schempp-Hirth offers a 70hp fuel-injected Solo-Binder-ILEC
propulsion system.

Why only 23 meters for a new open class ship ? Well, all the new
open-class gliders are designed to the 850kg max (certification
and IGC *limit). To get a high wing-loading as optimal for these
newer designs (especially in strong conditions) at 850kg, either
the span is limited (thus 23-meters for Antares 23E and Schempp-
Hirth Quintus), or an extreme aspect ratio is required (Dick
Butler’s Concordia).

Some numbers.
60:1 at 78 knots (knots, no typo) at max loading.
250 liters of water gives a wing-loading range of 40-58 kg/m2 (8.2-11.9 lbs/ft2)
That's almost a 50% increase in wing-loading from minimum to maximum.

I can still get you one for the 2013 season ;-)
Happy Holidays,
Best Regards, Dave "YO electric"

only 60:1????