The Peterson MAP-3 Medena is an American
shoulder-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 con ...
, single-seat,
FAI Open Class
Competition classes in gliding, as in other sports, mainly exist to ensure fairness in competition. However the classes have not been targeted at fostering technological development as in other sports. Instead classes have arisen because of:
* ...
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
Max A. Peterson, first flying in 1966.
[Rogers, Bennett: ''1974 Sailplane Directory, Soaring Magazine'', page 31. Soaring Society of America, August 1974. USPS 499-920]
Design and development
Peterson completed the Medena prototype and flew it in 1966.
The designation indicates the designer's initials.
The aircraft is of mixed construction, with an all-metal structure and a
fiberglass
Fiberglass (American English) or fibreglass ( Commonwealth English) is a common type of fiber-reinforced plastic using glass fiber. The fibers may be randomly arranged, flattened into a sheet called a chopped strand mat, or woven into glass clo ...
cockpit section. The span wings employ a
NACA
The National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) was a United States federal agency founded on March 3, 1915, to undertake, promote, and institutionalize aeronautical research. On October 1, 1958, the agency was dissolved and its assets ...
64(3)-618
airfoil and mount both
spoilers and half-span
flaps. The flaps can be raised 5° for cruise flight and deployed to 60° for glidepath control on landing. 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 retractable monowheel.
Only one Medena was constructed.
Operational history
The prototype's wings and tail were damaged in a wind storm in 1967 and the aircraft was rebuilt to incorporate modifications to the tail and aft fuselage. Peterson sold the Medana to Joe Gray in 1971. Ownership transferred to Sam Phillips in May 1975. Ownership transferred to Donald Young/Oren Irich in May 1978. In August 2011 the aircraft was still on 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 ...
registry, although the agency listed its status as "in question"
Specifications (Medena)
See also
References
{{Max A. Peterson aircraft
1960s United States sailplanes
Homebuilt aircraft
Aircraft first flown in 1966