TG-15B
Current Aircraft |
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TG-15B |
Historical Aircraft |
The TG-15B (Schempp-Hirth Discus-2b) is a conventional single-place high performance sailplane used by 94 FTS Advanced Soaring for cross-country training. The TG-15B is commonly known as "the white glider" or the "2b" in the civilian community. Glider cross-country soaring competitions are flown at the regional and national level in the TG-15B.
Features
The Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau Aircraft Corporation of Kirchheim , Germany manufactures the Discus-2b (Air Force designation TG-15B). 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 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-15B 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-15B 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-15B 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-15B 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-15B can be disassembled and put on a trailer for transport to contests or during a landing away from the home airfield. The Discus-2b aircraft was flown to a 1 st place finish in the 2004 Standard Class Nationals Glider Competition.
General Characteristics
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