Chengdu X-7 Jian Fan

X-7 Jian Fan
Role	Basic training glider
National origin	Peoples Republic of China
Manufacturer	Chengdu Sailplane Factory
First flight	October 1966
Number built	130+

The Chengdu X-7 Jian Fan (Sword point) is a Chinese basic trainer glider. First flying in 1966, at least 130 were built.

Design and development

The Chengdu X-7 is a two seat basic training glider of glassfibre construction, which first flew in October 1966. It is a high-winged monoplane with the wing braced to the pod-and-boom fuselage by single struts. The crew of two sit in tandem open cockpits, while the undercarriage is is non-retracable monowheel, with nose and tail skids.^[1] 130 had been built by 1980.^[2]

Specifications (X-7)

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1988–89^[2]

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Length: 7.06 m (23 ft 2 in)
• Wingspan: 13.07 m (42 ft 11 in)
• Height: 1.60 m (5 ft 3 in)
• Wing area: 18.00 m² (193.8 sq ft)
• Aspect ratio: 9.5:1
• Airfoil: Göttingen 535 (modified)
• Empty weight: 220 kg (485 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 370 kg (816 lb)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 240 km/h; 130 kn (150 mph) (smooth air)
• Stall speed: 45 km/h (28 mph; 24 kn)
• Maximum glide ratio: 12:1
• Rate of sink: 1.40 m/s (276 ft/min)

Notes

1. ^ Taylor 1982, p. 588.
2. ^ ^{a b} Taylor 1988, p.619.

References

• Taylor, John W. R. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1982–83. London: Jane's Yearbooks, 1982. ISBN 0-7106-0748-2.
• Taylor, John W. R. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1988–89. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Defence Data, 1988. ISBN 0-7106-0867-5.