Primary glider

Primary gliders are a category of aircraft that enjoyed worldwide popularity during the 1920s and 1930s as people strove for simple and inexpensive ways to learn to fly.Schweizer, Paul A: "Wings Like Eagles, The Story of Soaring in the United States", pages 14-22. Smithsonian Institution Press, 1988. ISBN 0-87474-828-3]

Types

Examples include:
* Stamer Lippisch Zögling [ [http://www.luftfahrtmuseum.com/htmi/itf/slzgl.htm Description of the Zögling] ]
* Schweizer SGP 1-1
* RFD Dagling [ [http://www.sailplanedirectory.com/PlaneDetails.cfm?planeID=75 Description of RFD/Slingsby T3 Dagling] ]
* Elliotts Primary EoN

Construction

Constructed of wood, metal cables and cloth, primary gliders were very light and easy to fly. They generally had no cockpit and no instruments.

Operations

Primary gliders were generally launched by bungee cord, whereby a rubber rope was arranged in a "V" with the glider at the apex. The ends of the rope were pulled by hand to launch the glider from a slope. Primaries were also launched by auto-tow and auto-bungee tow. Ramp launching from cliffs was also attempted successfully.

Modern Primaries

Modern versions of primary gliders are still built, but, while they are much like the originals in appearance, they are usually constructed with composites and safety enhancements.

References