Gehrlein GP-1

GP-1
General information
TypeGlider
National origin
United States
Designer
Jay and Rod Gehrlein
StatusKits no longer available
Number builtAt least five
History
First flightJuly 1968

The Gehrlein GP-1 is an American mid-wing, single seat FAI Standard Class glider that was designed by Jay and Rod Gehrlein and first flown in July 1968.

Design and development

When their father, glider pilot Larry Gehrlein was on an extended vacation, his two sons, Rod and Jay decided to design and build a new glider as a surprise for his return. The resulting GP-1 was designed and built in under a year, between the summer of 1968 and the summer of 1969.

Unlike Larry Gehrlein's earlier Gehrlein Precursor, the GP-1 is an original design and uses no Schweizer Aircraft parts in its construction.

The GP-1 is an all-metal aircraft, with a 15 m (49.2 ft) wingspan. The wing is of a constant 30 in (76 cm) chord and employs a Wortmann FX-61-184 airfoil. Glide path control is via a set of scissor-type spoilers and air brakes. The design was intended to be simple to construct. Kits were at one time offered for sale with at least five aircraft being completed.

Operational history

In May 2011 there were still four GP-1s on the Federal Aviation Administration registry.

Specifications (GP-1)

Data from Sailplane Directory and Soaring

General characteristics

Performance

See also

Related lists

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Activate Media (2006). "GP-1 Gehrlein". Archived from the original on August 19, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2011.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Said, Bob: 1983 Sailplane Directory, Soaring Magazine, page 43. Soaring Society of America November 1983. USPS 499-920
  3. ↑ Federal Aviation Administration (May 2011). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Archived from the original on August 4, 2012. Retrieved May 15, 2011.