The pilotfriend Glasair RG1 Special was purchased in the mid 90s by John and Jenny as a very large pile of bits lying on a garage floor. The building took over 7500 hours and many tribulations were stoically suffered! In 2003, the aircraft won the Pilot Trophy concours d'elegence at the PFA rally and also took a major prize at the RSA French home builders rally that year.

Several modifications were necessary for John to be able to fly the aircraft with one leg. These included a change to pushrod operation of the right rudder pedal and the provision of hand brakes. John uses a special shoe with a hook fitted on the sole which engages with the right rudder pedal. His sons call him 'Hookfoot'!  Much attention was given to drag reduction during the build, and the result has been a fast slippery aircraft.

SPECIFICATIONS
Wing Span    24ft 4ins
Wing Area  81.3 sq ft
Wing Aspect Ratio 6.16
Length Overall  19ft 6ins 
Height Overall (w/o propeller) 6ft 2 ins
Wheel Base         4ft 5 -5/8ins
wheel Span (track)  9ft
Cabin Width 39.75ins
Baggage Space 10 cu ft

GROSS WEIGHT
Normal 2000lbs       (In USA 2200lbs allowable)
Aerobatic 1700lbs
Empty weight (approx) 1368lbs
Useful Load 632lbs
Baggage Capacity (max) 100lbs
Wing Loading (gross) 22.14 lb/sq ft
FUEL CAPACITY
Main wing tank  290 liters 61.4 Imp gal.
Right header tank 18 liters  4    Imp. gal. (Max 5.1gals)
Seats  2

 

PERFORMANCE DATA

  Top Speed (Sea level) 260 mph 
 Cruise Speed (24 X 24  sea level) 175 knts IAS 

Rate of climb (from sea level):
Solo 2000 ft/min
Gross 1500 ft/min
Stall Speeds:
Clean Solo 65 mph
Clean gross 70 mph
Flaps Down, Gross 63 mph
Recommended Glide Speed (engine out) 120 mph
Best Rate of Climb Speed (V y ) 120 mph
Best Angle of Climb Speed (Vx) 110 mph
Approach Speeds 100 mph (90 over the hedge)
Never Exceed Speed (Vne) 260  mph
Maneuvering Speed (Va) 145  mph
Maximum Structural Cruising Speed (Vno) 200   mph
Maximum Flap Extension Speed-(Vfe) 110   mph
Maximum Gear Extension Speed (Vle) 140  mph

Structural Limit Loads (at 2000lb. gross weight)
Positive  3.8 G's
Negative 1.0 G's
 Structural Limit Loads (at 1700 lb. aerobatic weight)
Positive 6.0 G's
Negative 4.0 G's
Range at 55% power (approx.)   1177 Miles
Service ceiling .(approx.) 20,000 ft.
Roll rate 140 degree/sec
Takeoff Ground Roll
Solo 400m
Gross 500m
Landing Ground Roll
Solo 400m
Gross 6000M