Photograph:
TeST-8 Alpin DM VH-GWE (c/n 8010801) at Watts Bridge, QLD in August 2003 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
Czech Republic
Description:
Single-seat self-launched glider
Power Plant:
One 16 kw (22 hp) Hirth F-33 single-cylinder, two-stroke, air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 13.4 m (44 ft)
- Length: 6 m (19 ft 1 in)
- Wing area: 10 m² (110 sq ft)
- Never exceed speed: 180 km/h (112 mph)
- Stalling speed: 62 km/h (39 mph)
- Max glide ratio at 85 km/h: (53 mph) 31:1
- Rate of sink: 345 m/min (148 ft/min)
- Aerofoil Wortmann fx: 61-184
- Empty weight: 141 kg (310 lb)
- Loaded weight: 249 kg (550 lb)
History:
The Alpin is one of a series of gliders produced in the Czech Republic by TeST, this Company being formed in 1992 with the aim of designing and producing ultralight gliders, ultralight motor gliders, and ultralight aircraft. To this end the Company has been very successful.
The first design was produced in a hangar in Krizanov, this being a wooden ultralight glider known as the TST-1 Alpin, the prototype being tested in 1993. The Company then moved to new production facilities in Velke Mezirici in 1995 and production soon reached ten aircraft a year.
Production has continued of a number of designs, mostly of wooden construction, including the TST-3 Alpin, an upgraded variant of the Alpin which could be obtained with a retractable engine [the TST-3 Alpin TM], the TST-5 Variant, the TST-6 Duo, the TST-7 Junior, TST-8 Alpin DM, TST-9 Junior and TST-3 TL, a lighter version of the TST-3.
The TST-3 has been produced in a number of forms, including as plans and kits of various levels of completion for amateur construction. Construction was mixed, using fibreglass, wood and fabric covering. Winglets were fitted to the wing. The engine, usually a Hirth F-33, was mounted on a strut that retracted into a bay behind the cockpit and was enclosed by two doors. Undercarriage was a retractable monowheel. The Rotax 447 and 503 engines were optional.
At least one example of the Alpin has been registered in Australia with Recreation Aircraft Australia, this aircraft being a TST-3 Alpin TTM, registered as 19-3870 (c/n Je-001) on 6 May 2003, this aircraft being fitted with a Rotax 447 engine. The registration lapsed on 4 February 2006.
A TST-8 Alpin DM VH-GWE4 (c/n 8010801) was demonstrated at the Australian International Airshow at Avalon, VIC in February 2003, was registered on 24 March 2003, and has been based in Queensland.