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Old February 14th 18, 07:58 PM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
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Default New Glider Dream Elon Musk Flow

On Tuesday, February 13, 2018 at 5:59:37 AM UTC-5, krasw wrote:
tiistai 13. helmikuuta 2018 6.40.38 UTC+2 WB kirjoitti:
On Monday, February 12, 2018 at 10:07:11 PM UTC-6, Jonathan St. Cloud wrote:
No, and spectra is way too expensive to use for deck lids, fenders... It is in a lay up.
On Monday, February 12, 2018 at 5:44:57 PM UTC-8, Tony wrote:
You mean the tethers that keep deck lids, fenders, and the like from flying into the crowd?

Probably not needed in typical Sailplane crashes...


Spectra is a brand name for aramid fibers better know by another name: kevlar. I believe kevlar is used in the cockpits of the "safety cockpit" Schleicher gliders and probably others. A mix of carbon/kevlar seems to be common in the seatpans of new gliders these days.


Carbon shatters to (sharp) pieces, with wowen kevlar fibers in fabric the structure does not completely disappear around you in case of crash. AFAIK carbon itself is stronger fibre that kevlar. I think most flaps and ailerons are made of 100% kevlar, though not sure why. Maybe it's lighter than carbon and still strong enough?


correct lighter, and still strong, but more expensive (i think). they pay for it on the controls because it reduce the amount of weight (also reduces space) needed to mass balance the controls.