Lamson L-106 Alcor
Bob Lamson · United States · first flew 1973 · glider
The Lamson L-106 Alcor is an American high-wing, experimental, pressurised research glider designed and built by Bob Lamson. It was the first pressurised sailplane ever built.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × none, embedded-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.62 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- High-wing glider of about 20 m span
- Pressurised cockpit with a solar heater to keep the canopy clear of ice
- Sitka spruce and fibreglass construction
The wing has a Feifel airfoil and the wings and tail use foam sandwiches covered in S-glass. It was one of the first gliders built from composites.
Specifications
- The Lamson L-106 Alcor has a length of 7.62 m (25 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 19.99 m (66 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 225 km/h (140 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
It was conceived in the 1960s as a high-altitude research aircraft and optimised for weak mountain wave soaring. It was registered as completed in 1968 but reportedly first flew in 1973.
Variants
Only one was built, so there were no variants.
Where you'll see it
Between 1985 and 1989 it was used in southern Alberta, Canada, to study the chinook arch. In 1992 it was transferred to the Museum of Flight in Seattle, where it is displayed.
Related aircraft
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