N.V. Vliegtuigbouw 013 Sagitta

013 Sagitta
Role	Glider
National origin	Netherlands
Manufacturer	N.V. Vliegtuigbouw
Designer	Piet Alsema
First flight	1961
Status	Production completed
Number built	20

The N.V. Vliegtuigbouw 013 Sagitta (English: Aerospace Arrow) is a Dutch mid-wing, single-seat Standard Class glider that was designed by Piet Alsema and produced by N.V. Vliegtuigbouw.^[1][2][3][4]

The aircraft is reported by different sources under a variety of different names and designations. Sources label it the Alsema Sagitta, Vliegtuigbouw Sagitta, N.V. Vliegtuigbouw 013 Sagitta, Dutch Sagitta, N.V. Vliegtuigbouw Sagitta 013 and N.V. Vliegtuigbouw Sagitta-013. The US type certificate erroneously lists it as the N.V. VLIEGTUIGBOUW Segitta (sic) 013 and catalogs it in their database under Vilegtuigbouw (sic), N.V., 013.^[1][2][3][4]

Design and development

The Sagitta was designed by Alsema between 1957-61 specifically for the then-new FAI Standard Class. Like a number of other early standard class gliders it was quickly surpassed in performance by newer fibreglass aircraft.^[1][2]

The Sagitta is built with a wooden structure. The fuselage is covered in wood, while the wings and tail surfaces are covered in doped aircraft fabric covering. The 15.0 m (49.2 ft) span wing features top and bottom air brakes and employs a NACA 63-618 airfoil at the wing root, changing to a NACA 4412 section at the wing tip. The controls are all automatically connected on assembly. The bubble canopy slides aft for cockpit access and can be locked open in several positions in flight. The landing gear is a fixed monowheel.^[1][2][5]

In the Netherlands the aircraft was certified for cloud flying and aerobatics, but its US certification does not include these authorizations. The type received its US type certificate on 2 August 1965.^[1][2][3]

Twenty Sagittas were built.^[1][2]

Operational history

In July 2011 six Sagittas were still registered with the US Federal Aviation Administration.^[4]

Variants

Sagitta

FAI Standard Class model with 15.0 m (49.2 ft) wingspan.^[1][2]

Super Sagitta

FAI Open Class model with 17.0 m (55.8 ft) wingspan^[6]

Aircraft on display

• Aviodrome, Lelystad Airport, The Netherlands^[7]

Specifications (Sagitta)

Data from Sailplane Directory, Soaring and FAA type certificate G7eu^[1][2][3]

General characteristics

• Crew: one
• Wingspan: 15.0 m (49 ft 3 in)
• Wing area: 12.0 m² (129 sq ft)
• Aspect ratio: 18.7:1
• Airfoil: Root: NACA 63-618, tip: NACA 4412
• Empty weight: 215 kg (473 lb)
• Gross weight: 320 kg (705 lb)

Performance

• Never exceed speed: 270 km/h (170 mph; 150 kn)
• Maximum glide ratio: 34:1
• Rate of sink: 0.67 m/s (132 ft/min)

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

• Schweizer SGS 1-34
  

Related lists

• List of gliders
  

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h} Activate Media (2006). "Sagitta Vliegtuigbouw". http://www.sailplanedirectory.com/PlaneDetails.cfm?PlaneID=282. Retrieved 20 July 2011. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h} Said, Bob: 1983 Sailplane Directory, Soaring Magazine, page 96, Soaring Society of America November 1983. USPS 499-920
3. ^ ^{a b c d} Federal Aviation Administration (August 1965). "Type Certificate Data Sheet No. G7EU". http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/0/d07bb786a9b0cf24852567200059a299/$FILE/G7eu.PDF. Retrieved 20 July 2011. 
4. ^ ^{a b c} Federal Aviation Administration (July 2011). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/AcftRef_Results.aspx?Mfrtxt=&Modeltxt=SAGITTA&PageNo=1. Retrieved 20 July 2011. 
5. ^ Lednicer, David (2010). "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". http://www.ae.illinois.edu/m-selig/ads/aircraft.html. Retrieved 1 July 2011. 
6. ^ Rogers, Bennett: 1974 Sailplane Directory, Soaring Magazine, page709. Soaring Society of America, August 1974. USPS 499-920
7. ^ Aviodrome (undated). "Collectiestuk a-f.pdf". http://www.aviodrome.nl/uploads/files/projectenpdf/Collectiestuk%20a-f.pdf. Retrieved 20 July 2011. 

External links

• Sagitta photos