Celair GA-1 Celstar

South African glider

GA-1 Celstar
Role	Glider Type of aircraft
National origin	South Africa
Manufacturer	Celair (Pty) Limited
Designer	Pieter Celliers
First flight	1989
Status	Production completed
Number built	At least eight

The Celair GA-1 Celstar is a South African mid-wing, single-seat, aerobatic glider that was designed by Pieter Celliers and produced by his company, Celair (Pty) Limited.^[1]

Design and development

The GA-1 was especially intended for flying competitive glider aerobatics and the resulting airframe was designed to Joint Aviation Requirements 22 standards and stressed to 10 g.^[1]

The aircraft is made from a combination of fibreglass and aramid. Its 11.2 m (36.7 ft) span wing employs a Wortmann FX-71-L-150/25 airfoil. The ailerons are full-span and mass-balanced. Dive brakes are used for approach control.^[1]^[2]

At least eight were produced, with two exported to Switzerland and six to the United States.^[3]

Operational history

In August 2011 there were two GA-1s registered in the US with the Federal Aviation Administration. US-registered aircraft are in the Experimental - Racing/Exhibition category.^[4]

Specifications (GA-1)

Data from Sailplane Directory^[1]

General characteristics

Crew: one
Wingspan: 11.2 m (36 ft 9 in)
Wing area: 11.54 m² (124.2 sq ft)
Aspect ratio: 10.9:1
Airfoil: Wortmann FX-71-L-150/25
Empty weight: 265 kg (584 lb)
Gross weight: 385 kg (849 lb)

Performance

Maximum speed: 324 km/h (201 mph, 175 kn)
Stall speed: 80 km/h (50 mph, 43 kn)
g limits: +/-10g
Maximum glide ratio: 25:1
Rate of sink: 0.89 m/s (175 ft/min)
Wing loading: 33.36 kg/m² (6.83 lb/sq ft)

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Activate Media (2006). "GA-1 Celstar Celair". Archived from the original on 29 August 2012. Retrieved 10 August 2011.
^ Lednicer, David (2010). "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". Archived from the original on 20 April 2010. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
^ Staff (December 1990). "Celstar Export Makes History". Flight International. Retrieved 10 August 2011.
^ Federal Aviation Administration (August 2011). "Make / Model Inquiry Results". Retrieved 10 August 2011.
^ https://www.sac.ca/index.php/en/free-flight-magazine-2/1980s/1989/151-ff1989-06/file
^ https://www.sac.ca/index.php/en/free-flight-magazine-2/1980s/1989/151-ff1989-06/file