We thank the availability of the designer of flying wings Jim Marske, who has responded to our email enquiries as we continue to delve into the Pioneer 11 VH-UIX originally built by the late John Lynch.
He has provided such supporting information as he was able, considering he is busy with further evolutions of the design series through to the Genesis type.
On 27th October we rigged for the first time, with glider pilots from 3 clubs present. Left to right: John Kennett, Erik Sherwin, Noel Matthews, Susanne Jones and in cockpit Tim Svenson. Behind the camera Ian Johnson.
The rigged airframe enables the next steps to proceed in terms of control deflections, instrument functionality and cockpit fit out.
The tasks help us understand the thinking behind flying wing/nurflugel aircraft. Where centre of gravity is identifiable by the way the fuselage sits on the ground, on its main wheel and teeter between front and tail skids. The aerodynamic work where fences moderate the airflow between wing trailing edge and control surface.
As noted before, UIX is the only functional flying wing sailplane in Australia. Other exemplars of earlier design types are static in museums, or regrettably have been lost/destroyed in previous decades.