The Blanik Urfin is a 120-kilogram (264.5 pounds) categopry self-launchig sailplane, its 22 kilowatt (29.4 horsepower motor and five-blade 1,26 meter (4.13 feet)-diameter propeller, capable of lofting it to soaring altitude at 4.5 meters per second (787 feet per minute). The little Urfin (named after a playful Czech folk character) was shown at this year’s Aero Friedrichshafen, and takes its place amoug severual ultralight soaring machines, all self launching. The airplane’s 13.5-meter ( 44.3 feet)wingspan enables a 29:1 glide ratio, meaning a pilot can perform modest cross-country flights in a reasonable time. One advantage of having a readily-called-upon motor and instantly-reactive propeller is the ability to avoid outlandings in potentially hazardous terrain. The thrust from the propeller centered on the aircraft’s boom reduces the need for any major trim changes, an advantage for novice pilots. One could even us lower throttle settings to emulate higher performance sailplanes, extending the glide ration and overalo performance. This would also consume the 5.4 …
