Explorer PG-1 Aqua Glider
Explorer Aircraft · United States · first flew 1959 · glider
The Explorer PG-1 Aqua Glider is an American single-seat biplane glider designed by Bill Skiliar in 1959 and made available as plans for amateur construction.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × none, embedded-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 4.17 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Biplane glider towed behind a boat
- Landing gear of a pair of water skis
- Spoilers used for roll control instead of ailerons
Made of wood covered in doped fabric, with water skis for landing gear and an all-flying tail.
Specifications
- The Explorer PG-1 Aqua Glider has a length of 4.17 m (14 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 4.88 m (16 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 105 km/h (65 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Skiliar, a USAF colonel and test pilot, designed it to be towed behind a boat, released, and glided to a landing on the water. The prototype was built that year with help from a troop of Air Explorer Scouts.
Variants
Skiliar also built a powered version with two McCulloch MC-70 go-cart engines, which was not successful and was returned to glider configuration.
Where you'll see it
By 1983 the prototype had flown over a thousand flights, and the prototype was donated to the EAA museum in 1970.
Related aircraft
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