IIL IS-8

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IS-8
Role Two seat
sailplane
National origin Romania
Manufacturer Intreprinderea de industrie Locală (IIL)
Designer Iosif Șilimon
First flight 14 September 1960

The IIL IS-8 was a two-seat

sailplane designed by Iosif Șilimon and built in Romania
in 1960. They served with Romanian gliding clubs.

Design and development

From about 1950 to his death in February 1981, Iosif Silimon was Romania's most prominent glider designer, his aircraft distinguished by his initials.

shoulder wing cantilever monoplane, first flew on 14 September 1960.[2]

Its wings had an all wood structure and were mounted with 2.5° of

spar with a forward, plywood skinned torsion box between it and the leading edge; behind the spar the wing was fabric covered. The tips carried the small streamlined bodies known as salmons, common at the time. The outer panels carried wooden slotted ailerons which were ply skinned but with an outer fabric covering.[2]

The IS-8 had an ovoid cross-section metal and plywood

elevators, between the fin at the root and between a rearwards tailplane extension at the tip. The starboard elevator carried a trim tab. The ply-skinned fin, positioned at the elevator hinge line, was narrow and mounted a fabric covered and largely straight edged unbalanced rudder which reached down to the keel.[2]

The main landing gear was a fixed, unsprung monowheel under mid-wing, at the point where the lower fuselage curved upwards toward its more slender rear. There was also a very short rubber sprung skid under the cockpit and a tail bumper.[2]

The IS-8 was preferred over the earlier two seat Silimon IIL IS-7 glider as a production aircraft destined for Romanian clubs because of its comparative operational economy and maintenance simplicity.[4] Some sources state that the IS-8 was not cleared for aerobatics,[2] others that it served Rumanian clubs as an aerobatic aircraft as well as a trainer and solo aircraft.[4]

Specifications

Data from The World's Sailplanes (1963), pp. 198–9[2]

General characteristics

Performance

  • Stall speed: 62 km/h (39 mph, 33 kn)
  • Never exceed speed: 180 km/h (110 mph, 97 kn) placard, smooth air
  • Rough air speed max: 140 km/h (87 mph; 76 kn)
  • Aerotow speed: 120 km/h (75 mph; 65 kn)
  • Winch launch speed: 85 km/h (53 mph; 46 kn)
  • Maximum glide ratio: best, 23:1 at 85 km/h (53 mph; 46 kn)
  • Rate of sink: 0.98 m/s (193 ft/min) minimum, at 70 km/h (43 mph; 38 kn)
  • Wing loading: 25.8 kg/m2 (5.3 lb/sq ft)


References

  1. ISBN 0710607059
    .
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Shenstone, B.S.; Wilkinson, K.G. (1963). The World's Sailplanes. Vol. II. Organisation Scientifique et Technique Internationale du Vol à Voile (OSTIV) and Schweizer Aero-Revue. pp. 198–9.
  3. ^ Shenstone, B.S.; Wilkinson, K.G. The World's Sailplanes. pp. 195, 200.
  4. ^ a b Taylor, John W R (1962). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1962-63. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Co. Ltd. p. 335.
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