FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1962
1962 - 2273.PDF
568 FLIGHT International, 4 October 1962 GLIDING IN FRANCE The Siren C.30 Edelweiss standard-class sailplane SPORT AND THE French gliding scene is traditionally based on a large number of national and regional gliding centres, strong Government support for the sport, and a steady flow of advanced designs for world championship competitions. The drawing (left) illustrates the newest high-performance sailplane to be built in France, the 15-metre Siren C.30 Edelweiss. Two sailplanes of this type will form the French standard-class entry at the World Glid ing Championships in the Argentine next February. The Siren company, based at Versailles and Argenton-sur- Creuse, has for some years carried out subcontract production of large aircraft and associated equipment, but has only recently turned its attention to light aircraft and gliders. Structure of the Edelweiss is largely based on a sandwich construction of plastic foam between plywood sheets. The pilot has a reclining position, and a V-tail is incorporated. Data include: span, 15 metres; wing area, 12.5 sq metres; aspect ratio, 18; empty weight, 203kg (4481b); equipped weight, 290kg (6391b); maximum flying weight, 380kg (8381b); maximum glide ratio, 34:1 at 95km/hr (59 m.p.h.); maxi mum sinking speed, 0.7 metres/sec (2.3ft/sec) at 80km/hr (50 m.p.h.). The more-routine side of gliding in France is carried on at regional centres such as that at Fayence, in the Alpes Maritimes near Nice and Cannes, where the three photographs below were taken. This centre is now beginning to attract visiting glider pilots from this country. A Silver C is the minimum requirement. The centre operates 15 sailplanes, including the Polish Foka and Lis, Breguets, Olympias, Fauvelle flying-wing types and a Wassmer Bijave two-seater. Aerotow launches are carried out by three Morane Saulnier MS.502s (French version of the Fiesler Storch) and a semi-retired, 30-year-old Morane 315 Parasol. Wave lift of up to 35ft/sec is frequently experienced from Fayence during the Mistral season from December to February. The im pressive record of cross-country flights from the centre includes a climb to 34,000ft and a flight of lOhr duration. BUSINESS Left, a line-up of sailplanes, with Morane- Saulnier MS.502 tug (French version of the Storch), at Fayence. The three foreground gliders are a Bijave, Breguet 901 and Foka. Above left, a Bijave pilot's view of the MS.502 tug and (above) a tug pilot's view of a Breguet 901
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
