Prue UHP-1

The Prue UHP-1 is an American high-wing, single-seat, T-tailed FAI Open Class glider that was designed by Irving Prue.[1][2][3]

UHP-1
Role Glider
National origin United States
Designer Irving Prue
First flight 1967
Introduction 1967
Produced 1966 and 1974
Number built Two

Design and development

The prototype Prue UHP-1 was constructed by Prue, completed in 1966 and first flown in 1967.[1][2][3]

The prototype features a NACA 63-618, with an all-metal wing with doped aircraft fabric covering aft of the wing spar. This arrangement did not hold the correct airfoil shape at high speeds according to tests conducted. The fuselage is also of all-metal construction and features a fixed monowheel landing gear, coupled with a skid, a conventional T-tail and a drag chute. Aside from the drag chute, glide path control is via spoilers.[1][2][4]

Two Prue UHP-1s were built, the second incorporating many changes to the design. Both aircraft were registered as Experimental - Amateur-builts.[1][2][3]

Operational history

The second UHP-1 built was reported by the owner as having good handling characteristics and a lower minimum sink speed than a Schleicher ASW 17.[2]

As of June 2011 both aircraft are still registered with the Federal Aviation Administration.[3]

Variants
UHP-1
Initial prototype with fixed landing gear.[1][2]
UHP-1 Modified
The second aircraft, built in 1974, which incorporates an all-metal wing to address the fabric issues on the first aircraft. It also has retractable monowheel landing gear, the nose and canopy from a Schempp-Hirth Open Cirrus, flaps, water ballast and a fully trimmable tailplane. The aircraft is officially registered with the FAA as a UHP-1 MODIFIED and has an empty weight that is more than 100 lb (45 kg) heavier than the prototype.[1][2][3]

Specifications (UHP-1 Modified)

Data from Sailplane Directory and Soaring[1][2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Wingspan: 57 ft 0 in (17.37 m)
  • Wing area: 114 sq ft (10.6 m2)
  • Aspect ratio: 28.5:1
  • Airfoil: NACA 63-618
  • Empty weight: 505 lb (229 kg)
  • Gross weight: 889 lb (403 kg)

Performance

  • Maximum glide ratio: 40 at 69 mph (111 km/h)
  • Rate of sink: 96 ft/min (0.49 m/s) at 49 mph (79 km/h)
  • Wing loading: 7.8 lb/sq ft (38 kg/m2)

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References
  1. Activate Media (2006). "UHP-1 Prue". Archived from the original on 1 February 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2011.
  2. Said, Bob: 1983 Sailplane Directory, Soaring Magazine, page 57, Soaring Society of America November 1983. USPS 499-920
  3. Federal Aviation Administration (June 2011). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved 18 June 2011.
  4. Lednicer, David (2010). "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". Archived from the original on 20 April 2010. Retrieved 15 June 2011.
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