APIS2_27_k.jpg (59051 Byte)
Photo: Patrick Holland-Moritz

APIS2_E_2_k.jpg (58053 Byte)
Photo: Patrick Holland-Moritz

 The glider

State of the art and built to last

The Apis® 2 is built with the latest CFRP building technologies. With 15 m span and its T-tail the Apis® 2 compares very close to the layout of today’s standard glass and 15 m gliders. The glider is completely built in CFRP with a top finish comparable from what you know of today’s sailplanes.

The Apis® 2 wings are new technology with a multi trapezoid wing with raising tips. Aileron and flaps are interconnected (flaperons) and standard SH airbrakes guarantee safe and short landing approaches.

The spars are connected with two bolts in tongue/tongue technique. Rigging is straight forward and can be easily accomplished by one person using the "one-man-rigging" system. The glider fits in a standard sailplane trailer. All connections are automatic. The large canopy opens to the side and allows easy access to the ergonomic and roomy cockpit.

The Apis® 2 includes a parachute rescue system. Wearing a pilots parachute is therefore not necessary and allows quite tall pilots to fit in the Apis® 2 very comfortably.

 
Apis2_Cockpit1.jpg (76477 Byte) The Cockpit
– take a seat and feel at home

The Apis® 2 has a large canopy that opens to the side. The ergonomically designed cockpit with the comfortable seat make long flights a real treat! Especially for arms and shoulders the Apis® offers more space than other gliders.

The optimized fuselage design lets tall pilots feet fit perfectly on the rudder pedals even in the very front position.

Wearing a persons parachute is not necessary since a rescue system is integrated into the aircraft. Thus tall pilots up to 2 m size fit perfectly into the Apis® 2.

The back-board can be adjusted continuously, the rudder pedals have some detents. Both can be readjusted easily and comfortably during flight. With this the Apis® 2 cockpit can be changed very fast from a very tall (2 m) to a small sized pilot (1,60 m) without any additional cushions.

The controls are located ergonomically. The electric starter button and the throttle are located in the arm rest on the left side and are easy to use.

The panel offers space for six instruments with 57 mm diameter in addition to the ECU indicator. One of these six can be replaced by a 80-mm-instrument alternatively.

The battery fits perfectly into the quick-release rack in the fuselages nose. It energises both the ECU and the instruments.

For more security the Apis® 2 cockpit is made up of a double hull. The lightweight hollow section frame of the canopy offers a maximum stiffness in this area.

 

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 Flying the Apis® 2
– maximum pleasure in every situation

The Apis® 2 takes off under its own power as a self launch glider. Despite the fixed tailwheel it is easy to control on the ground. Two aerodynamic tip wheels help eliminate the need for a wing runner.

The Apis® 2  has a fixed gear with a wheel brake on the 4" wheel.

Take off is very easy. The acceleration is fast due to the low weight of the glider. Aileron authority is present right from the very beginning. After a short roll only climb rate is about 2.5 m/s (4.8 kt) at a speed of 80 to 85 km/h (45 kt). After about 150 m (500 ft) you will be airborne and it takes about 290 m (950 ft) over the 50 ft obstacle.

There is almost no trim change if you fly under engine or in gliding mode or while extending or retracting the engine. The controls are very harmonic and the glider has a light handling without being nervous. The flaps with a neutral trim will give you a speed range of 80 km/h (43 kt) at +9° to 160 km/h (86 kt) at -6°.

Thermal speed is about 80 km/h (43 kt) and minimum sink is 0.6 m/s (115 fpm). Best glide speed is 95 km/h (52 kt) which will give you a L/D of 39. The Apis® 2  has very docile flight characteristics in slow flight and stall due to the modern geometry of the wings and the carefully selected airfoil.

Landing approach is at 90 km/h (48 kt) with positive flaps. The highly efficient airbrakes allow safe and steep approaches into short airfields. The Apis® 2 can be landed with retracted or with extended engine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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