Lamson L-106 Alcor
L-106 Alcor | |
---|---|
Role | Glider |
National origin | United States |
Designer | Bob Lamson |
First flight | 1973 |
Introduction | 1972 |
Status | Sole example preserved in the Museum of Flight |
Primary user | Bob Lamson |
Number built | One |
The Lamson L-106 Alcor is an
Design and development
The Alcor was conceived during the 1960s as a high altitude research aircraft by Lamson. He had served in the
The Alcor is named for the
The Alcor's 65.6 ft (19.99 m) span wing employs a Feifel airfoil. The pressurization system provides two to three inches of Mercury pressure differential. The cockpit also incorporates a solar heater to keep the canopy clear of ice condensation at high altitude and also provide pilot warmth.[1][2][3]
Operational history
The Alcor was registered with the Federal Aviation Administration as completed in 1968, but reportedly first flew in 1973. In 1983 Lamson indicated that the aircraft has flown 180 hours and had exceeded 20,000 ft (6,096 m) "four or five times".[1][2][3][4]
Between 1985 and 1989, the aircraft was used in southern
In 1992 the aircraft was transferred to the
Aircraft on display
- Museum of Flight - sole example[3]
Specifications (Alcor)
Data from Sailplane Directory and Soaring[1][2][3]
General characteristics
- Crew: One
- Length: 25 ft (7.6 m)
- Wingspan: 65 ft 7 in (19.99 m)
- Wing area: 154 sq ft (14.3 m2)
- Aspect ratio: 28:1
- Airfoil: Feifel
- Empty weight: 550 lb (249 kg)
- Gross weight: 950 lb (431 kg)
Performance
- Never exceed speed: 139.97 mph (225.26 km/h, 121.63 kn)
- Maximum glide ratio: 43:1 at 55 mph (89 km/h)
- Rate of sink: 90 ft/min (0.46 m/s) at 50 mph (80 km/h)
Notable appearances in media
See also
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
References
- ^ a b c d e f Activate Media (2006). "Alcor Lamson". Archived from the original on August 19, 2012. Retrieved May 20, 2011.
- ^ Soaring Magazine, page 46. Soaring Society of AmericaNovember 1983. USPS 499-920
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Museum of Flight (May 2011). "Lamson L-106 Alcor Glider". Retrieved May 20, 2011.
- ^ a b c d Federal Aviation Administration (May 2011). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved May 15, 2011.