637 Volunteer Gliding Squadron
Royal Air Force Little Rissington
Near Cheltenham
Gloucestershire
GL54 2LR
The Vigilant T.1 is a low wing monoplane with folding wings and side by side seating for two aircrew with dual controls. It is a modern and enjoyable aircraft to fly, with excellent visibility and handling qualities for Flying Training.
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637VGS currently operates with a fleet of 3 aircraft.
The Vigilant is the military Training Mark 1 version of the Grob 109b Motor Glider. While similar in appearance, the military version is substantially modified in terms of equipment, control configurations, a strengthened airframe to accommodate a higher All-Up-Mass, and a strengthened undercarriage assembly.
The Vigilant T.1 entered military service in the early 1990s, originally designated the TX.1. However, unlike the Grob 109b the increase in All-Up-Mass puts the Vigilant T.1 into the Single Engine Piston (SEP) light aircraft category. The X, denoting a Glider was subsequently removed during the late 1990s.
The role of Vigilant T.1 is to train Air Cadets in basic powered flying techniques and to enable them to reach a standard where they are able to fly solo.
The Vigilant T.1 is fully operated as a powered aircraft. With the additional wingspan, compared to other light aircraft, the engine can be shut down in flight and operated as a conventional glider. However in its present role, limited soaring and gliding is carried out.
Specification
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Compliment: |
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Aircrew: |
2 |
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Permissible Ceiling: |
Flight Level 80 |
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Dimensions: |
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Span: |
17.4m |
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Length: |
8.1m |
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Height: |
1.7m |
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Aspect Ratio: |
15.9:1 |
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Wing Area: |
19m² |
| Max. Flying Weight: |
908kg |
| Max. Wing Loading: |
47.8kg/m² |
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Engine: |
Grob 2500 E1 Horizontally Opposed air cooled |
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Maximum Speeds: |
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Never exceed speed in calm air: |
130kts |
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Normal operations in Calm air: |
117kts |
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Max. speed in turbulence/maneuvering: |
83kts |
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Flight Performance Envelope: |
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Acceleration limits: |
+3.5/0g |
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Best angle of climb: |
49kts |
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Best rate of climb: |
60kts (fine pitch) |
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Best glide angle: |
1:28 |
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Cruise fuel consumption: |
12-15 litres per hour (100L tank) |
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Mass and Balance: |
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Max all up mass for take-off/landing: |
908kg |
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Max baggage: |
17kg |
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Max fuel mass: |
72kg |
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Max crew mass for solo flight: |
110kg |
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Max crew mass for dual flight: |
220kg |
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CG limits: |
271mm forward of datum |
Glossary
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T |
Designated Role: Training |
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TX |
Designated Role: Glider Training |
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Mk |
Aircraft Mark (version) |
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CG |
Centre of Gravity |
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