Perl PG-130 Penetrator

The Perl PG-130 Penetrator is an American mid-wing, single-seat glider that was designed and constructed by Harry Perl.[1][2]

PG-130 Penetrator
Role Glider
National origin United States
Designer Harry Perl
First flight 1953
Status Sole example in the National Soaring Museum
Produced 1953
Number built One

Design and development

The PG-130 was completed in 1953. The aircraft has a wooden structure, with the wings and tail covered in doped aircraft fabric covering. The 48 ft (14.6 m) span wing employs a Göttingen Gö 549 airfoil and features dive brakes. The wing has a foam-filled leading edge. The tail is an all-flying design. The aircraft originally took off from a jettisonable take-off dolly and landed on a fixed skid, but was later modified with a fixed monowheel.[1][2][3]

The sole example of the PG-130 was registered with the US Federal Aviation Administration as an Experimental - Amateur-built.[2]

Operational history

Soaring Magazine reported in 1983 that Perl still owned the aircraft and was flying it at that time. The PG-130 was removed from the FAA register prior to 1989 and now belongs to the National Soaring Museum, where it was listed as "in storage" in June 2011.[2][4]

Aircraft on display

Specifications (PG-130)

Data from Sailplane Directory, Soaring and The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage[1][2][3]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Wingspan: 48 ft 0 in (14.63 m)
  • Wing area: 130 sq ft (12 m2)
  • Aspect ratio: 17.75:1
  • Airfoil: Göttingen Gö 549
  • Empty weight: 480 lb (218 kg)
  • Gross weight: 680 lb (308 kg)

Performance

  • Maximum glide ratio: 33 at 52 mph (84 km/h)
  • Rate of sink: 126 ft/min (0.64 m/s) at 44 mph (71 km/h)
  • Wing loading: 5.23 lb/sq ft (25.5 kg/m2)

See also

Related development

Related lists

References
  1. Activate Media (2006). "Penetrator PG-130 Perl". Archived from the original on 19 August 2012. Retrieved 8 June 2011.
  2. Said, Bob: 1983 Sailplane Directory, Soaring Magazine, page 52. Soaring Society of America November 1983. USPS 499-920
  3. Lednicer, David (2010). "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". Archived from the original on 20 April 2010. Retrieved 2 June 2011.
  4. Federal Aviation Administration (June 2011). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved 8 June 2011.
  5. National Soaring Museum (2011). "Sailplanes in Our Collection". Archived from the original on 16 May 2011. Retrieved 8 June 2011.
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