Photograph:
Eiriavion Pik-20E VH-MQN (c/n 20298) at Mangalore, VIC in March 1983 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
Finland
Description:
Single-seat self-launched glider
Power Plant:
One 32 kw (43 hp) Rotax 501 two-cylinder, two-stroke, air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 15 m (49 ft 2 in)
- Length: 6.53 m (21 ft 4 in)
- Height: 1.47 m (4 ft 8 in)
- Wing area: 10 m² (107.6 sq ft)
- Max speed: 195 km/h (121 mph)
- Cruising speed at 75% power: 135 km/h (84 mph)
- Climbing speed at all-up weight: 90 km/h (56 mph)
- Max speed for extending and retracting engine: 135 km/h (84 mph)
- Engine restarting speed: 100 km/h (62 mph)
- Empty weight: 300 kg (660 lb)
- Loaded weight: 470 kg (1,036 lb)
History:
Designed and built in Finland, the Pik-20 series of gliders emanated from a design by the University of Technology in Helsinki, design work commencing in 1971. The first of two prototypes flew for the first time on 10 October 1973. The design subsequently received some development, the first production version, known as the Pik-20B, as compared to the prototypes, having a higher gross weight, increased water ballast, and interconnected flaps and ailerons. This model was followed on the production line by the Pik-20D, the first of this model flying on 19 April 1976. Fitted with Schempp-Hirth airbrakes and other improvements, including a carbon fibre wing spar as standard, it proved to have a much improved performance over the previous model.
In October 1976 a new model appeared, this being based on the Pik-20D but with a retractable Rotax two-cylinder engine, the first of this model making its maiden flight behind a tow-plane on 16 March 1978. This new model, known as the Pik-20E, subsequently entered production fitted with a 32 kw (43 hp) Rotax 501 engine driving a Hoffman two-blade fixed-pitch wooden propeller. The engine, which was fitted with an electric starter, retracted manually into a compartment in the fuselage behind the cockpit when not in use.
Gliders with their own power-plants, which were capable of taking-off under their own power, have become very popular throughout the world, and the Pik-20E was no exception. With a 30 litre (6.6 Imp gal) fuel tank, the type had the ability to stay in the air for extended periods, probably only limited in the long-run by the endurance of the pilot. In 1983 a Pik-20E set an endurance record flying from Camden, NSW.
Examples registered in this region have included VH-MXG (c/n 202252), VH-MXP (c/n 20225),VH-MXN (c/n 20298) and VH-MQN (c/n 20298) in Australia, and ZK-GSF (c/n 20302 – ex ZK-EOU) in New Zealand.