Hydroplanes BRO-16

Hydroplanes BRO-16 — single-seat biplane of wooden construction, designed for training and demonstration and training flights. This is the first machine of this type, established in the Lithuanian SSR under the guidance of famous designer, a veteran of the Soviet gliding of Bronica Oskinis.

 

BRO-16 is available commercially and is a “descendant” of a widespread school of glider BRO-11M, which borrowed top wing, empennage, farm and management system. In the middle part of the lower wing posted cockpit, representing a flat-bottomed boat stacked design, with sheathing of plywood with a thickness of 2 mm, covered on the outer surface of the glass fiber epoxy resin. The cabin is open, with the windshield under the dash. To facilitate takeoff the boat has a small underwater wing, located 200 mm in front of the center of gravity of the machine.

 

The wings are single-spar construction; the lower wing, which serves as a support for the rolls at a low speed, and for generating colouring effect during takeoff and landing, fully sheathed with plywood and on top of plywood covered with percale. By design, the lower wing similar to the upper, to the scope of his reduced to 5,8 m.

 

The airfoil is TSAGI R-II, 14%, profile Aileron — TSAGI P-III, 16%. Control of the glider mixed: on the rudder to Elevator cable, Aileron — rigid rods. The upper wing is connected with the lower two pairs of profiled struts and braces of wire OVS — bow, cockpit and tail farm. BRO-16 up in the air towed behind a fast boat with inboard engine, allowing speeds of at least 50 km/h. Towing halyard is best to use synthetic, netonomy, length from 50 to 150 m. the length of the tether depends on the height of flight in tow (practically it is about 35% of the length of the tether). After uncoupling the glider can make free Popat and landing on the water.

 

 

As shown by the first year of operation BRO-16, the glider is reliable, simple in piloting and invariably arouses greater interest among young people. It has made a lot of flights to the Lithuanian centre for water and motor sports on the Kaunas sea.

 

Continuing Riga students talking about the use of water areas for instructional and training flights, the editorial Board welcomes the successful experience of construction of non-motorized vehicle that can take off and land on water. Hydropanel like BRO-16, can be constructed not only in the factory but also at stations of young technicians, and in Amateur bands.