AIRCRAFT
Melbourne Soaring owns and operates several gliders and a powered aircraft used for aerotowing gliders.
DUAL SEAT TRAINING GLIDERS
GROB G103 TWIN ASTIR
This modern looking fibreglass glider was designed to meet the role of a basic two seat trainer. This is the one in which students will have their instructional flights on their journey to become solo.
It features a retractable undercarriage and can carry water ballast.
Like the Janus described below the Twin Astir is suitable for cross country flying and regional competition.
Specifications
Crew | 2 |
Wing Span | 17.5 |
Wing area | 17.9 sq m |
Length | 8.1 m |
Height | 1.55 m |
Empty Weight | 420 kg |
Payload | 230 kg |
Gross weight | 650 kg |
Water Ballast | 90 kg |
Performance
Best glide angle | 38 at 59kts |
Minimum sink | 0.62m at 40 kts |
Stall speed | 36 kts |
Maximum speed | 135 kts |
SCHEMPP HIRTH JANUS B
This high performance glider is fitted with flaps and used for dual flying by our post solo pilots, and for advanced training to introduce members to cross country flying. Members can also enter their first competitions in the Janus by arranging to fly with one of our experienced cross country pilots who have flown in many competitions.
Specifications
Crew | 2 |
Wingspan | 18.2 m |
Wing area | 16.6 sq m |
Length | 8.62 m |
Height | 1.45 m |
Empty weight | 365 kg |
Payload | 255 kg |
Gross weight | 620 kg |
Performance
Best glide angle | 39.5 at 59 Kts |
Minimum sink | 0.60m at 49 kts |
Stall speed | 38 kts |
Maximum speed | 119 kts |
ZEPHYRUS
The Zephyrus was designed and built by members of the Beaufort Gliding Club and this glider is still flown on a regular basis at Bacchus Marsh by Melbourne Soaring members. Designed as a single seater in the 1940’s, events led to the layout being changed in 1951 to make this into a two seat trainer and the first flights in this format were conducted in 1966. It trained all of our club members from then until the mid-1980’s when the club gained access to a fibreglass Grob Twin Astir two seat trainer as described above.
The Zephyrus is heavier at the controls compared to the fibreglass trainers but is still a delight to fly and gives you a unique opportunity to fly this one of a kind glider.
Specifications
Crew | 2 |
Wing span | 17.5 m |
Wing area | 21.9 sq m |
Empty weight | 433 kg |
Payload | 184 kg |
Gross weight | 617 kg |
Structure | Steel tube and wood |
Performance
Best glide angle | 25 at 50 kts |
Maximum speed | 104 kts |
SINGLE SEAT GLIDERS
GROB G102 ASTIR CS 77
This glider is the first single seater that you will fly once you have built up sufficient solo experience flying the two seaters. It features a retractable undercarriage and can carry water ballast.
The glider was designed with a large wing area, the benefit of which is that it has good low speed handling characteristics and is easy to fly.
Specifications
Crew | 1 |
Wing span | 15 m |
Wing area | 12.4 sq m |
Length | 6.7m |
Height | 1.26 m |
Empty weight | 270 kg |
Payload | 110 kg |
Gross weight unballasted | 380 kg |
Gross weight ballasted | 450 kg |
Performance
Best glide angle | 38 at 56 kts |
Minimum sink | 0.62 m at 46 kts |
Stall speed | 32 kts |
Maximum speed | 135 kts |
SCHEMPP HIRTH CIRRUS 75
The Cirrus 75 is a popular glider amongst pilots and is still known as the “pilots aircraft” due to its precise and prompt handling characteristics.
After you have been solo and built up your solo hours flying the two seaters and then the Grob 102 Astir CS77, you will be transferred to the Cirrus 75 and see why this glider is still sought after for cross country flying and competitions.
Specifications
Crew | 1 |
Wing span | 15 m |
Wing area | 10.0 sq m |
Length | 6.35 m |
Height | 1.3 m |
Empty weight | 215 kg |
Payload | 110 kg |
Gross weight unballasted | 330 kg |
Gross weight ballasted | 390 kg |
Performance
Best glide angle | 38.5 at 49 kts |
Minimum sink | 0.60 m at 38 kts |
Stall speed | 33 kts |
Maximum speed | 119 kts |
HORNET
This Australian kit aircraft was built by club members over a number of years so that the club could operate its own tug aircraft at Bacchus Marsh and fly at other sites using its tug for aerotows.
Specifications
Fuselage Length | 6.3 m |
Wing Span | 9.8 m |
Wing Area | 13.7 sq m |
Height | 2.4 m |
Empty Weight | 573 kg |
Maximum gross weight | 750 kg |
Engine Subaru EJ22 | 170 hp |
Fuel (98 Mogas) | 120 L plus 10 L reserve |
Performance
Cruise Speed | 80 kts |
Stall Speed | 35 kts |