London Gliding Club
performance
Gone are the days of wood and fabric gliders.
Modern gliders are extremely efficient and highly aerodynamic. No rough edges, sharp corners, or exposed linkages - anything that may increase drag has been optimised away. Once a glide ratio of 30:1 was excellent, now high end gliders are pushing 70:1.
Speeds have increased as well. Gliders from the early 80s tended to cruise at around about 60 mph, new designs suffer very little performance loss at speeds in excess of 100mph!
EB28 - 28m image 
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with a glide angle in excess of 65:1, the two seater
Binder ASH has wings only slightly shorter than a 737-300.
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with a glide angle in excess of 65:1, the two seater
Binder ASH has wings only slightly shorter than a 737-300.
ASH 25 wing tip image 2 of 8
the turbulator tape prevents a laminar separation bubble,
improving the airflow and further reducing drag
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the turbulator tape prevents a laminar separation bubble,
improving the airflow and further reducing drag
mylar and turbulator tape image 3 of 8
recessed mylar over the gap between the wing and control surfaces
ensuring smooth airflow
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recessed mylar over the gap between the wing and control surfaces
ensuring smooth airflow
ASW27 wing tip image 4 of 8
a perfect complement to the high speed
ASW27 wings, the wingtip ensures
excellent thermalling characteristics
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a perfect complement to the high speed
ASW27 wings, the wingtip ensures
excellent thermalling characteristics
flap gate image 5 of 8
baffles can be fitted on the ends of the moving control surfaces
this stops air spilling around the edges, improving performance
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baffles can be fitted on the ends of the moving control surfaces
this stops air spilling around the edges, improving performance
clear vision panel image 6 of 8
glider canopies are a single piece of clear perspex.
This provides all round visibility, however, unlike a car
you can't just roll down the windows! The clear vision
panel is a little window that you can use for fresh air
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glider canopies are a single piece of clear perspex.
This provides all round visibility, however, unlike a car
you can't just roll down the windows! The clear vision
panel is a little window that you can use for fresh air
mirror finishes image 7 of 8
glider wings are highly polished, ensuring a clean, laminar airflow
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glider wings are highly polished, ensuring a clean, laminar airflow
self launching image 8 of 8
some modern gliders now have an engine
allowing them to launch themselves.
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some modern gliders now have an engine
allowing them to launch themselves.
