The Windward Performance DuckHawk is an American

mid-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,

15-metre class The IYRU Fifteen Metre class yachts are constructed to the First International rule of 1907. A total of twenty 15mR yachts were built between 1907 and 1917, the four that have survived are still actively raced. History The IYRU International Ru ...

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 produced by Windward Performance of Bend, Oregon.Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: ''World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12'', page 138. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. It first flew in 2011. Since 2016 the aircraft has been no longer advertised as available by the manufacturer.

Design and development

The DuckHawk is a development of the Windward Performance SparrowHawk and is intended as a higher performance glider than its predecessor, with very high structural limits and V_ne. The DuckHawk has less than 10% parts commonality with the SparrowHawk. It features a cantilever wing, a single-seat enclosed cockpit under a

bubble canopy A bubble canopy is an aircraft canopy constructed without bracing, for the purpose of providing a wider unobstructed field of view to the pilot, often providing 360° all-round visibility. The designs of bubble canopies can drastically vary; s ...

and retractable

monowheel 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 ...

. The aircraft is made from preimpregnated

carbon fiber Carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (American English), carbon-fibre-reinforced polymers (Commonwealth English), carbon-fiber-reinforced plastics, carbon-fiber reinforced-thermoplastic (CFRP, CRP, CFRTP), also known as carbon fiber, carbon compo ...

. Its span wing employs a Greg Cole-designed airfoil, has an area of and an aspect ratio of 30:1.

Operational history

By December 2016 four examples had been registered in the United States with the

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, including three "V" models and one "E" model.

Variants

;DuckHawk E :Electric

motorglider A motor glider is a fixed-wing aircraft that can be flown with or without engine power. The FAI Gliding Commission Sporting Code definition is: a fixed-wing aerodyne equipped with a means of propulsion (MoP), capable of sustained soaring flight ...

version, first example registered with the FAA in 2011. ;DuckHawk V (Veloce) :Base model with an empty weight of , a maximum gross weight of and load limits of +7/-5g. The first example was registered with the FAA in 2014 and three have been built. ;DuckHawk SV (Super Veloce) :Proposed model with a 64% thicker

spar SPAR, originally DESPAR, styled as DE SPAR, is a Dutch multinational that provides branding, supplies and support services for independently owned and operated food retail stores. It was founded in the Netherlands in 1932, by Adriaan van Well, ...

, thicker

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 aircraf ...

, an empty weight of , a maximum gross weight of and load limits of +11/-9g. None completed. ;DuckHawk VNX :Proposed model with thicker wing skins, an empty weight of , a maximum gross weight of , maximum speed of and load limits of +11/-9g. None completed.

Specifications (DuckHawk V)

References

External links

Official website archives
on

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