PIK-5

The PIK-5 was a training glider produced in Finland in the 1940s, and 1950s,^[1] equipping the country's gliding clubs with an aircraft greater in performance than primary gliders but less than competition sailplanes.^[2]

PIK-5
PIK-5b in Finnish Aviation Museum
Role	Training glider
National origin	Finland
Manufacturer	Polyteknikkojen Ilmailukerho
Designer	Kaarlo J. Temmes
First flight	September 1946
Number built	34

The PIK-5 had a pod-and-boom configuration, with a high, strut-braced monoplane wing and a cruciform tail carried at the end of a tail boom that extended from a position high on the aft end of the pod.^[3]

History

The prototype first flew in September 1946,^[4] and testing continued until it was badly damaged in a crash in summer 1948^[5] Over the subsequent months, the wings were repaired, and a new fuselage constructed to a revised design. This was completed the following winter, and flights recommenced.^[5] However, this aircraft, now known as the PIK-5B, was destroyed in a crash in summer 1951.^[5]

Again, it was rebuilt with modifications, particularly to the wing structure, resulting in the PIK-5C version.^[5] This version first flew on 5 July 1952,^[5] and went on to become the pattern for around 30 similar machines that would be built over the ensuing years.^[4]

Variants

• PIK-5
• PIK 5A
• PIK-5B
• PIK-5C

Specifications (PIK-5C)

Data from Karhulan Ilmailukerho website : PIK-5c Cumulus (OH-151),^[6] The World's Sailplanes:Die Segelflugzeuge der Welt:Les Planeurs du Monde Volume II^[7]

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Length: 6.4 m (21 ft 0 in)
• Wingspan: 12.4 m (40 ft 8 in)
• Wing area: 14.7 m² (158 sq ft)
• Aspect ratio: 10.4
• Airfoil: Göttingen 533
• Empty weight: 120 kg (265 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 210 kg (463 lb)

Performance

• Stall speed: 45 km/h (28 mph, 24 kn)
• Never exceed speed: 190 km/h (120 mph, 100 kn)
  
• Rough air speed max: 120 km/h (74.6 mph; 64.8 kn)
• Aerotow speed: 20 km/h (12.4 mph; 10.8 kn)
• Winch launch speed: 90 km/h (55.9 mph; 48.6 kn)
• Terminal velocity: with full air-brakes at max all-up weight 180 km/h (112 mph; 97 kn)
• g limits: +4 -2
• Maximum glide ratio: 18 at 60 km/h (37.3 mph; 32.4 kn)
• Rate of sink: 0.85 m/s (167 ft/min) at 52 km/h (32.3 mph; 28.1 kn)
• Wing loading: 14.3 kg/m² (2.9 lb/sq ft)