Slingsby T.65 Information & Slingsby T.65 Links at HealthHaven.com

T65 Vega and Sport Vega
Role	15 Metre class sailplane
National origin	United Kingdom
Manufacturer	Slingsby Aviation
First flight	3 June 1977

The Vickers-Slingsby T-65 Vega is a 15 metre class glider which first flew on 3 June 1977. Of fibreglass construction, it features linked camber-changing flaps and airbrakes, and a retractable main and tailwheel.

A simplified version called the T-65C Sport Vega has a non-retractable mainwheel and hinged trailing edge airbrakes instead of flaps. This version of the Vega first flew on 18 December 1979 and has no provision for water ballast.

[edit] Variants

T65A: Initial production version first flown in 1977.
T65B: One production glider was designated T65B.
T65C Sport Vega: Fixed-wheel with no flaps or water ballast, first flown in 1980.
T65D Vega: Increased water ballast to 350 lb (160 kg) and increased all up weight to 1,120 lb (510 kg).
Vega 17L: Gliders fitted with optional wingtips to increase span to 17 metres.

[edit] Specifications (T65D)

Data from^{[citation needed]}

General characteristics

Crew: One
Length: 22 ft 0 in (6.72 m)
Wingspan: 49 ft 3 in (15.00 m)
Wing area: 109 ft² (10.1 m²)
Aspect ratio: 22.4
Empty weight: 519 lb (236 kg)
Gross weight: 1,120 lb (510 kg)

Performance

Maximum speed: 160 mph (250 km/h)
Maximum glide ratio: 42
Rate of sink: 132 ft/min (0.67 m/s)

[edit] References

Andrew Coates, Janes World Sailplanes and Motorgliders, ISBN 0 354 01119 7
Michael Hardy, Gliders and Sailplanes of the World, ISBN 0 7110 1152 4
Martin Simons, Slingsby Sailplanes, ISBN 1 85310 732 8

[edit] External links

British Gliding Association data sheet

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