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Advanced Aeromarine Sierra

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American glider

Sierra
General information
TypeGlider
National originUnited States
ManufacturerAdvanced Aeromarine
StatusProduction completed
Number built1 (1998)
History
First flightMarch 1991
VariantsMoyes Tempest

The Advanced Aeromarine Sierra was an American high-wing, strut-braced, single-seat, glider that was designed and produced by Advanced Aeromarine, as a kit for amateur construction.

Design and development

The Sierra was intended as a lightweight and affordable glider with modest performance that could be launched by ultralight aircraft aerotow, auto-tow, winch-launch or bungee launch. It first flew in March 1991.

The aircraft was made from aluminium tube, fabric and composites. Its 42.65 ft (13.0 m) span wing was supported by a lift strut and jury struts. The glide ratio was 25:1 and had a landing roll of 150 ft (46 m). The landing gear was tandem wheels, plus a tail caster. The completion time from the factory kit was rated as 150 hours.

Although very light, with a standard empty weight of 205 lb (93 kg), the Sierra did not qualify under the US FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles regulations as a hang glider, neither was it foot-launchable. Only one prototype had been reported as completed by December 1998.

Operational history

In September 2011 there were no Sierras registered with the US Federal Aviation Administration and it is likely that none exist anymore.

Variants

Sierra LS
Main production version

Specifications (Sierra LS)

Data from Purdy and KitPlanes

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Length: 21 ft 0 in (6.40 m)
  • Wingspan: 42 ft 7.8 in (13.000 m)
  • Wing area: 142 sq ft (13.2 m)
  • Aspect ratio: 13:1
  • Empty weight: 205 lb (93 kg)
  • Gross weight: 455 lb (206 kg)

Performance

  • Stall speed: 27 mph (43 km/h, 23 kn)
  • Maximum glide ratio: 25:1 at 40 mph (64 km/h)
  • Wing loading: 3.2 lb/sq ft (16 kg/m)

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

  1. ^ Purdy, Don: AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook, page 300. BAI Communications. ISBN 0-9636409-4-1
  2. ^ Downey, Julia: 1999 Kit Aircraft Directory, Kitplanes, Volume 15, Number 12, December 1998, page 31. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851
  3. Federal Aviation Administration (September 2011). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved September 1, 2011.
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