GP-1
Role Glider
National origin United States
Designer Jay and Rod Gehrlein
First flight July 1968
Status Kits no longer available
Number built At least five

The Gehrlein GP-1 is an American mid-wing, single seat FAI Standard Class glider that was designed by Jay and Rod Gehrlein and first flown in July 1968.[1][2]

Design and development

When their father, glider pilot Larry Gehrlein was on an extended vacation, his two sons, Rod and Jay decided to design and build a new glider as a surprise for his return. The resulting GP-1 was designed and built in under a year, between the summer of 1968 and the summer of 1969.[1][2]

Unlike Larry Gehrlein's earlier Gehrlein Precursor, the GP-1 is an original design and uses no Schweizer Aircraft parts in its construction.[2]

The GP-1 is an all-metal aircraft, with a 15 m (49.2 ft) wingspan. The wing is of a constant 30 in (76 cm) chord and employs a Wortmann FX-61-184 airfoil. Glide path control is via a set of scissor-type spoilers and air brakes. The design was intended to be simple to construct. Kits were at one time offered for sale with at least five aircraft being completed.[1][2]

Operational history

In May 2011 there were still four GP-1s on the Federal Aviation Administration registry.[3]

Specifications (GP-1)

Data from Sailplane Directory and Soaring[1][2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: One
  • Wingspan: 49 ft 3 in (15 m)
  • Wing area: 120 sq ft (11 m2)
  • Aspect ratio: 20:1
  • Airfoil: Wortmann FX-61-184
  • Empty weight: 458 lb (208 kg)
  • Gross weight: 662 lb (300 kg)

Performance

  • Maximum glide ratio: 35:1 at 60 mph (97 km/h)
  • Rate of sink: 120 ft/min (0.61 m/s) at 50 mph (80 km/h)
  • Wing loading: 5.5 lb/sq ft (27 kg/m2)

See also

Related lists

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Activate Media (2006). "GP-1 Gehrlein". Archived from the original on August 19, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2011.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Said, Bob: 1983 Sailplane Directory, Soaring Magazine, page 43. Soaring Society of America November 1983. USPS 499-920
  3. ↑ Federal Aviation Administration (May 2011). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved May 15, 2011.
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