TG-15A
Current Aircraft |
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TG-15A |
Historical Aircraft |
The TG-15A (Schempp-Hirth Duo Discus) is a conventional two-place high performance sailplane with tandem seating used by 94 FTS Advanced Soaring for cross-country training. The TG-15A is commonly known as "the white glider" or the "Duo" in the civilian community. Glider cross-country soaring competitions are flown at the regional and national level in the TG-15A.
Features
The Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau Aircraft Corporation of Kirchheim , Germany manufactures the Duo Discus (Air Force designation TG-15A). It is constructed from glass and carbon fiber reinforced plastic, featuring a T-tail with fixed horizontal stabilizer and elevator. The wing is a four stage trapezoid in plan form, consists of two main panels with tip extension having a sweptback leading edge, and has double-panel Schempp-Hirth type air brakes on the upper surface. It has a nose wheel, a retractable main wheel and a fixed tail-wheel. The canopy is a one-piece design, allowing for excellent visibility. The aircraft is equipped with a radio and basic flight instruments. Advanced glide computer and a secure GPS Flight recorder are also maintained in each aircraft. These sailplanes are optimized for cross-country and wave flying and are equipped with oxygen equipment, electronic location transmitters (ELT's), and main wing and tail water ballast compartments (for better competition racing).
Background
The TG-15A aircraft was procured from Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau via Knauff & Grove Soaring Supplies Corporation in the spring of 2002 and the its first delivery was in Spring of 2003. The TG-15A will replace the TG-10D fleet that has served the Academy Cadet Cross-Country Soaring Competition Team well for several years.
Cadets typically fly 10-15 training sorties in the TG-15A, and go through a rigorous 50 hour cross-country soaring upgrade before they fly cross-country solo in the TG-15B. The 94 FTS corps of officer instructor pilots and attached first class (senior) cadet IPs provide instruction. The TG-15A also performs fly-bys (Aerial Reviews) for the USAFA home crowd at football games and Graduation/Parent’s Weekend Parades.
In the hands of an accomplished soaring pilot, the TG-15A can stay aloft for over 6 hours, in thermal or mountain wave lift, and can fly several hundred miles from its home airport for training or competition. The TG-15A can be disassembled and put on a trailer for transport to contests or during a landing away from the home airfield. The Duo Discus aircraft was flown to a 1st place finish in the 2005 Sportsclass Nationals Glider Competition.
General Characteristics
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