Headwind
by Don Stewart
The prototype Headwind was built over a
period of 5 months and was first flown on March 28, 1962. The airplane
flew well right off the drawing board but in the intervening years, many
structural (to simplify and make it easier to build) and aerodynamic
improvements have been made to the design so that now the only part of the
original design still used is the engine mount and the portion of the
fuselage between the cockpit and the stabilizer. Everything else is new.
In the forty some years that the Headwind has been in existence, many
examples have been built all over the world. Well over one hundred
airplanes are now in service powered by a variety of engines, however,
only the Volkswagen engine is shown on the plans. No other engine data is
published.
The Headwind was the first design to use the Volkswagen engine in the
United States and much development work was required to get the engine to
it's full potential as an aircraft engine. The most important development
in the engine work was the design and patenting of a propeller speed
reducing unit (PSRU) to allow the engine to developed it's full
horsepower.
specifications
powerplant
propeller
length
height
wing span
wing area
seats
empty weight
useful load
gross weight
fuel capacity
range |
VW 1774 Horsepower: 55
hp
Great
American
17' 0"
5' 9"
28' 3"
110.95 Sq. Ft.
1
x
x
x
x
Endurance 2 hours |
performance
takeoff distance,
ground roll
rate of climb
max speed
cruise speed
landing distance, ground roll
service ceiling |
x300ft
650 fpm
105 mph
85 mph
400ft
x |
limiting and recommended speeds
design manoeuvring speed (Va)
never exceed speed (Vne)
stall, power off (Vsl)
landing approach speed |
x
110 mph
38-42 mph
x |
All specifications are based on manufacturer's
calculations |
Construction Notes:
Built by Don Gregory Mission Hills, California
Flight Characteristics:
Cub type single seater. Docile, forgiving, no surprises. Flies like a
Champ or Citabria
|