The Kelsey K-16 is an
American
American(s) may refer to:
* American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America"
** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America
** American ancestry, pe ...
,
strut-braced
In aeronautics, bracing comprises additional structural members which stiffen the functional airframe to give it rigidity and strength under load. Bracing may be applied both internally and externally, and may take the form of strut, which act in ...
,
high-wing
A monoplane is a fixed-wing aircraft configuration with a single mainplane, in contrast to a biplane or other types of multiplanes, which have multiple planes.
A monoplane has inherently the highest efficiency and lowest drag of any wing confi ...
, two-seat,
glider
Glider may refer to:
Aircraft and transport Aircraft
* Glider (aircraft), heavier-than-air aircraft primarily intended for unpowered flight
** Glider (sailplane), a rigid-winged glider aircraft with an undercarriage, used in the sport of glidin ...
that was designed and constructed by
William Frank Kelsey of
Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City (often shortened to Salt Lake and abbreviated as SLC) is the Capital (political), capital and List of cities and towns in Utah, most populous city of Utah, United States. It is the county seat, seat of Salt Lake County, Utah, Sal ...
.
[Rogers, Bennett: ''1974 Sailplane Directory, Soaring Magazine'', page 44. Soaring Society of America, August 1974. USPS 499-920]
Design and development
Kelsey completed the K-16 in 1961, and first flew in that year.
The aircraft has a welded steel tube
fuselage
The fuselage (; from the French ''fuselé'' "spindle-shaped") is an aircraft's main body section. It holds crew, passengers, or cargo. In single-engine aircraft, it will usually contain an engine as well, although in some amphibious aircraft t ...
and a wooden structure wing, all covered in doped
aircraft fabric covering
Aircraft fabric covering is a term used for both the material used and the process of covering aircraft open structures. It is also used for reinforcing closed plywood structures. The de Havilland Mosquito is an example of this technique, as ar ...
. The span wing employs a modified Göttingen
airfoil
An airfoil (American English) or aerofoil (British English) is the cross-sectional shape of an object whose motion through a gas is capable of generating significant lift, such as a wing, a sail, or the blades of propeller, rotor, or turbine.
...
. The
landing gear
Landing gear is the undercarriage of an aircraft or spacecraft that is used for takeoff or landing. For aircraft it is generally needed for both. It was also formerly called ''alighting gear'' by some manufacturers, such as the Glenn L. Martin ...
is a center-line monowheel and a fixed skid.
Only one K-16 was built and it was registered with the US
Federal Aviation Administration
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the largest transportation agency of the U.S. government and regulates all aspects of civil aviation in the country as well as over surrounding international waters. Its powers include air traffic m ...
in the ''
Experimental - Amateur-built'' and the ''Racing/exhibition'' categories.
Operational history
The aircraft was flown by its designer to earn his
diamond badge
The International Gliding Commission (IGC) is the international governing body for the sport of gliding. It is governed by meetings of delegates from national gliding associations.
It is one of several Air Sport Commissions (ASC) of the Fédérati ...
goal flight. Kelsey subsequently sold it to the ''Soaring Society of Utah'', who in turn sold it in the spring of 1971 to Robert J. Leonard of
Soap Lake, Washington
Soap Lake is a city in Grant County, Washington, on the shores of Soap Lake. The population was 1,691 at the 2020 census.
History
Soap Lake was officially incorporated on June 9, 1919.
This came to a halt during the Depression when drought hi ...
. In the autumn of 1972 the aircraft was severely damaged by a wind storm, with both wings damaged, including one that was broken into two sections. The aircraft was rebuilt as an
Experimental Aircraft Association
The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) is an international organization of aviation enthusiasts based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, United States. Since its inception, it has grown internationally with over 200,000 members and nearly 1,000 chapt ...
local chapter project. In August 2011, fifty years after the aircraft was built, Leonard was still listed on the FAA registry as the owner.
Specifications (K-16)
See also
References
{{reflist
1960s United States sailplanes
Homebuilt aircraft
Aircraft first flown in 1961