The Chengdu X-7 Jian Fan (English: Sword Point) (X-7 - Xianji-7 - glider-7) is a Chinese basic trainer glider. First flying in 1966, at least 130 were built.

X-7 Jian Fan
Role Basic training glider
National origin People's Republic of China
Manufacturer Chengdu Sailplane Factory
First flight October 1966
Number built 130+

Design and development

edit

The Chengdu X-7 is a two-seat basic training glider of glass-fibre construction, which first flew in October 1966. It is a high-winged monoplane with the wing braced to the pod-and-boom fuselage by single struts. The crew of two sit in tandem open cockpits, while the undercarriage is a non-retractable monowheel, with nose- and tailskids.[1] 130 had been built by 1980.[2]

Specifications (X-7)

edit

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1988–89[2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: two, pilot and student
  • Length: 7.06 m (23 ft 2 in)
  • Wingspan: 13.07 m (42 ft 11 in)
  • Height: 1.60 m (5 ft 3 in)
  • Wing area: 18.00 m2 (193.8 sq ft)
  • Aspect ratio: 9.5:1
  • Airfoil: Göttingen 535 (modified)
  • Empty weight: 220 kg (485 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 370 kg (816 lb)

Performance

  • Stall speed: 45 km/h (28 mph, 24 kn)
  • Never exceed speed: 150 km/h (93 mph, 81 kn) in smooth air
100 km/h (54 kn; 62 mph) in rough air
80 km/h (43 kn; 50 mph) on winch launch
  • g limits: +4 -2
  • Maximum glide ratio: 12:1
  • Rate of sink: 1.40 m/s (276 ft/min) at 53 km/h (29 kn; 33 mph)
  • Wing loading: 20.55 kg/m2 (4.21 lb/sq ft) at max t/o weight

Notes

edit
  1. ^ Taylor, John W.R. (1983). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1982-83. London: Jane's Publishing Company. p. 588. ISBN 978-0-7106-0748-5.
  2. ^ a b John W.R. Taylor, ed. (1988). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1988-89. London: Jane's Information Group. p. 619. ISBN 0-7106-0867-5.