(ed. - The following
was provided by Dave Webb, one of the original test pilots of the BKB-1.)
Re your project,
I hope the following & log book notes will be of help: (I would
add that the following comments on the comparative BKB/Skylark 2B glide
angle were based on very limited (unplanned) comparison flying between
the two aircraft. Obviously, no quantitative data was obtained but
(at a guess) the BKB was about 10 Knots faster at its best mid range speed.)
To my knowledge,
the basic concept, design and construction of the BKB-1, (registration
CF-ZDK-X) was carried out by three partners in the project; i.e. Stefan
Brochocki, Fred Bodek and Witold Kaspryk. My understanding of the
design work-share was that the theoretical work on the aerodynamics and
basic stress work of the design was carried out by Stefan, with mechanical
design contributions by Fred, and practical glider pilot inputs from Witold,
who was a very accomplished soaring pilot. The BKB-1 appeared
to be a very efficient design aerodynamically since it could out glide
a then current good glider which had twice the aspect ratio and 10 ft.
more wing span. However, more work was required to improve controllability
as noted.
The following
flights and comments were recorded in my log book during the aircraft's
flights made at Hawkesbury airfield, Ontario, Canada over a three year
period:
1961
May 13. Two flights 16 minutes & 18
minutes. First flights in experimental swept wing tailless glider.
Extremely sensitive in pitch. Directional stability reasonable except
for small angles of yaw (approx. 5 degrees deadband). Heavy
aileron drag (elevon). Air brakes (both rudders deflected together)
ineffective. Individual rudder effect good.
May 14. One hour 49 mins. First soaring
flight. Rudders effective in initiating turns. Soared BKB-1
with own Skylark 2B (ZDL) flown by R.Halliday. BKB-1 appeared to be much
faster between thermals with a flatter glide angle in the 50 - 75 knots
region.
May 20. Fourteen minutes.
May 27. One hour 56 minutes. Height
of 6600 ft. max.
May 27. 15 minutes. Landing practice.
May 28. 1 hr.52 mins. BKB only glider with
enough penetration to stay around field in 30 MPH wind.
Sep 23. 15 mins.
Sep 24. 18, 20, 20 mins. (Three flights).
Landings on rough grass field cause porpoise type bouncing which can be
divergent as aerodynamic control is reduced.
Oct 1. 15 mins. Landing techniques
investigated.
Oct 7. 16, 12 mins.
"
Oct 8. 22, 15 mins.
"
Oct 9. 30 mins.
"
1962
Dec 1. 15, 11 mins. First flights
with new full fuselage length landing skid to reduce noted bouncing tendency
on landing in rough terrain.
Dec 2. 22 mins. Photography.
1963
May 4. 22, 12 mins.
May 5. 55 and 1 hr.46 mins.
May 12. 27 mins. and 2 hrs.54 mins.
TOTAL TIME: 17 Hours 11
mins.
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