HP-24 Sailplane Project

Bob Kuykendall 10 June 2009

The HP-24 project is an attempt to develop and manufacture a modern, high-performance kit sailplane for construction in the home workshop environment. The wing is configured for 15-meter span, with optional 18-meter span extensions. Provisions are available for up to 200 lbs of water ballast.

Latest Updates:

Update #241, 10 June 2009: Brake dancing.

Update #240, 5 May 2009: And pictures from ADF IX.

Update #239, 9 April 2009: Ace in the hole.

Update #238, 30 March 2009: Spar stubs, climbing.

Update #237, 23 March 2009: Spars, climbing, gear, parts, climbing over gear.

Update #236, 28 February 2009: ADF 8 Photos, second batch.

Update #235, 26 February 2009: ADF 8 Photos.

Update #234, 2 February 2009: February makes me shiver.

Update #233, 30 January 2009: A funnel thing happened...

Update #232, 21 January 2009: More mechanicals.

Update #231, 5 January 2009: Family tradition.

Preliminary 3-view and spec sheet (PDF format).

Older Updates:

2008 Updates, #192 through #230.

2007 Updates, #165 through #191.

2006 Updates, #130 through #164.

2005 Updates, #107 through #129.

2004 Updates, #66 through #106.

2003 Updates, #26 through #65.

2002 Updates, #3 through #25.

2001 Updates, #1 & #2.

The HP-24 is the logical extension of the HP/RS series sailplanes designed by Richard E. Schreder, and leverages heavily on the design and construction techniques of the HP-18 sailplane.

The HP-24 uses a prefabricated composite fuselage. We are specifically designing the HP-24 forward fuselage and cockpit for more upright seating, with better ergonomics and visibility than the HP-18. We believe that better comfort and reduced fatigue will result in a better soaring experience, and improved overall performance by the pilot.

The cockpit of the HP-24 is specifically designed with a wide range of pilot sizes and shapes in mind. The cockpit is designed around an average pilot height of 6' 2", with accommodation for a wide range of both larger and smaller pilots.

The wings will be comprised of female-molded sandwich construction surfaces. The wings will be supplied with the main spars and upper and lower surfaces already bonded together. The builder will only have to install the control system parts and build and install the control surfaces to finish the wing.

Contact: If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about the HP-24 aircraft or project, or if you think the whole thing is silly and I ought to devote my free time to watching the Jerry Springer show, feel free to email me at bob@hpaircraft.com.

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Page updated 10 June 2009 all text and graphics copyright (c) 2009 HP Aircraft, LLC