KhAI-3
Kharkiv Aviation Institute · Soviet Union · first flew 1936 · glider
The KhAI-3 was a Soviet experimental high-wing monoplane designed at the Kharkiv Aviation Institute in the mid-1930s, notable for its extremely long wingspan relative to fuselage length — a ratio more characteristic of a glider.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × none, embedded-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 6.8 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
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Spot it by:
- Soviet experimental high-wing monoplane with unusually long wingspan
- Single engine with large-span wings for glider-like efficiency
- Designed at Kharkiv Aviation Institute
Immediately striking for its enormously disproportionate wingspan (22.4 m) relative to fuselage length (6.8 m), giving a wingspan-to-length ratio of over 3:1 — far exceeding any normal powered aircraft of the era.
Specifications
- The KhAI-3 has a length of 6.8 m (22 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 22.4 m (73 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 135 km/h (84 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed as an experimental aircraft to study high-aspect-ratio wing performance with a powered aircraft, the KhAI-3 was built at the Kharkiv Aviation Institute and first flew in 1936. Its very long straight wing gave it glider-like efficiency at low speed. The design remained experimental.
Variants
Only a single example was constructed.
Where you'll see it
The KhAI-3 remained a research aircraft and saw no operational service.
Related aircraft
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