The Gehrlein GP-1 is an American
mid-wing
A monoplane is a fixed-wing aircraft configuration with a single mainplane, in contrast to a biplane or other types of multiplanes, which have multiple planes.
A monoplane has inherently the highest efficiency and lowest drag of any wing confi ...
, single seat
FAI Standard Class
Competition classes in gliding, as in other sports, mainly exist to ensure fairness in competition. However the classes have not been targeted at fostering technological development as in other sports. Instead classes have arisen because of:
* t ...
glider
Glider may refer to:
Aircraft and transport Aircraft
* Glider (aircraft), heavier-than-air aircraft primarily intended for unpowered flight
** Glider (sailplane), a rigid-winged glider aircraft with an undercarriage, used in the sport of gliding
...
that was designed by Jay and Rod Gehrlein and first flown in July 1968.
[Said, Bob: ''1983 Sailplane Directory, ]Soaring Magazine
''SOARING'' is a magazine published monthly as a membership benefit of the Soaring Society of America. It was first published in 1937. The headquarters is in Hobbs, New Mexico. The magazine's article topics include safety issues and accounts of in ...
'', page 43. Soaring Society of America
The Soaring Society of America (SSA) was founded at the instigation of Warren E. Eaton to promote the sport of gliding, soaring in the United States of America, USA and internationally. The first meeting was held in New York City in the 330 West 4 ...
November 1983. USPS 499-920
Design and development
When their father, glider pilot
Larry Gehrlein
Larry is a masculine given name in English, derived from Lawrence or Laurence. It can be a shortened form of those names.
Larry may refer to the following:
People Arts and entertainment
* Larry D. Alexander, American artist/writer
*Larry Boon ...
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.
Unlike Larry Gehrlein's earlier
Gehrlein Precursor
The Gehrlein Precursor is an American, high-wing, single seat glider designed by Larry Gehrlein in 1965 and assembled from Schweizer Aircraft parts.Said, Bob: ''1983 Sailplane Directory, Soaring Magazine'', page 28 and 43. Soaring Society of ...
, the GP-1 is an original design and uses no
Schweizer Aircraft
The Schweizer Aircraft Corporation was an American manufacturer of sailplanes, agricultural aircraft and helicopters located in Horseheads, New York. It was incorporated in 1939 by three Schweizer brothers (Paul, William, and Ernest), who bui ...
parts in its construction.
The GP-1 is an all-metal aircraft, with a wingspan. The wing is of a constant chord and employs a Wortmann FX-61-184
airfoil
An airfoil (American English) or aerofoil (British English) is the cross-sectional shape of an object whose motion through a gas is capable of generating significant lift, such as a wing, a sail, or the blades of propeller, rotor, or tur ...
. 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.
Operational history
In May 2011 there were still four GP-1s on the
Federal Aviation Administration
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the largest transportation agency of the U.S. government and regulates all aspects of civil aviation in the country as well as over surrounding international waters. Its powers include air traffic m ...
registry.
Specifications (GP-1)
See also
References
{{reflist
1960s United States sailplanes
Homebuilt aircraft
Aircraft first flown in 1968