L-33 Solo
Role Glider
National origin Czech Republic
Manufacturer Let Kunovice
Designer Marian Meciar and Vaclav Zajic
First flight 1992
Introduction 1992
Status In production (2012)
Produced 1992–present
Number built 94 (2011)

The Let L-33 Solo is a Czech shoulder-wing, single-seat, glider, designed by Marian Meciar and Vaclav Zajic, and produced by Let Kunovice. The L-33 first flew in 1992 and remained in production through 2012, supplied as a ready-to-fly aircraft.[1][2][3]

Design and development

The L-33 was a developed as the single-seat "natural step" for early solo students to fly after dual training on the two-seat LET L-23 Super Blaník. The L-33 features a cantilever wing, a T-tail, a single-seat enclosed cockpit under a bubble canopy and fixed monowheel gear.[1][2]

The semi-monocoque design is made from flush riveted aluminum sheet. The rudder is covered with doped aircraft fabric. Its 14.12 m (46.3 ft) span, semi-tapered wing employs a Wortmann FX-60-17A11-182 airfoil at the wing root, transitioning to an FX-60-126 at the wing tip. The wing has an area of 11 m2 (120 sq ft) and mounts top surface Schempp-Hirth-style air brakes.[1][2][4]

The L-33 was a competitor in the IGC World Class sailplane design competition, but lost to the Polish Politechnika Warszawska PW-5. The design is type certified to JAR 22 in Argentina, Canada, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States.[1][2][3]

Operational history

By November 2012, 92 examples had been produced. In December 2012, 49 examples had been registered with the Federal Aviation Administration in the United States, 12 with Transport Canada and one with the British Civil Aviation Authority.[1][5][6][7]

Specifications (L-33 Solo)

Data from Bayerl and the Sailplane Directory[1][2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Wingspan: 14.12 m (46 ft 4 in)
  • Wing area: 11 m2 (120 sq ft)
  • Aspect ratio: 18.12:1
  • Empty weight: 210 kg (463 lb)
  • Gross weight: 340 kg (750 lb)

Performance

  • Stall speed: 65 km/h (40 mph, 35 kn)
  • Never exceed speed: 248 km/h (154 mph, 134 kn)
  • Maximum glide ratio: 33:1 at 83 km/h (52 mph)
  • Rate of sink: 0.66 m/s (130 ft/min)
  • Wing loading: 30.9 kg/m2 (6.3 lb/sq ft)

See also

Related lists

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12, page 146. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Activate Media (2006). "Solo L 33 LET". Archived from the original on 8 March 2012. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
  3. 1 2 Let Kunovice (n.d.). "L-33 Solo". Retrieved 12 December 2012.
  4. ↑ Lednicer, David (2010). "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". Archived from the original on 20 April 2010. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
  5. ↑ Federal Aviation Administration (12 December 2012). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved 12 December 2012.
  6. ↑ Transport Canada (12 December 2012). "Canadian Civil Aircraft Register". Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
  7. ↑ Civil Aviation Authority (United Kingdom) (12 December 2012). "GINFO Search Results Summary". Retrieved 12 December 2012.
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