- Lilienthal Normalsegelapparat
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Normalsegelapparat 
Lichterfelde (near Berlin), 29 June 1895 Role Glider National origin Germany Manufacturer Otto Lilienthal Designer Otto Lilienthal First flight 1893 The Lilienthal Normalsegelapparat ("Normal soaring apparatus") was a glider designed by Otto Lilienthal in Germany in the late 19th century. It is considered to be the first aeroplane to be serially produced, examples being made between 1893 and 1896.
Nine examples are known to have been sold, the buyers including Nikolai Zhukovsky and William Randolph Hearst. Three original "normal gliders" are preserved in museums in (London, Moscow, and Washington), and a fragment of one is preserved in Munich. A similar glider, the Sturmflügelapparat ("storm wing apparatus") is preserved in the Technisches Museum in Vienna.
Lilienthal's flights using this glider typically achieved a distance of 250 m (820 ft) starting from the top of the launching mound that he had constructed. A bow frame or "Prellbügel" was used to reduce the impact in case of a crash. Later the Normalsegelapparat was developed into a biplane.
Specifications (typical)
US-patent: Lilienthal flying machine[1]
General characteristics
- Crew: One
- Length: 5.30 m (17 ft 5 in)
- Wingspan: 6.70 m (22 ft 0 in)
- Wing area: 13.6 m2 (146 ft2)
- Empty weight: 20 kg (44 lb)
Performance
- Maximum glide ratio: 5
References
External links
Aircraft produced by Otto Lilienthal Derwitzer Glider • Südende Glider • Maihöhe Rhinow Glider • Small Ornithopter • Normal soaring apparatus • Sturmflügelmodell • Vorflügelapparat • Small Biplane • Big Biplane • Big Ornithopter
Lists relating to aviation General Aircraft (manufacturers) · Aircraft engines (manufacturers) · Airlines (defunct) · Airports · Civil authorities · Museums · Registration prefixes · Rotorcraft (manufacturers) · TimelineMilitary Accidents/incidents Records Categories:- 19th-century German experimental aircraft
- Lilienthal aircraft
- Glider aircraft
- Aviation history of Germany
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