Lilienthal Normalsegelapparat
The Lilienthal Normalsegelapparat is a glider designed by Otto Lilienthal in Germany in the late 19th century. It is considered to be the first aeroplane to be serially produced, examples being made between 1893 and 1896.
Nine examples are known to have been sold, the buyers including Nikolai Zhukovsky and William Randolph Hearst. Three original "normal gliders" are preserved in museums in, and a fragment of one is preserved in Munich. A similar glider, the Sturmflügelapparat is preserved in the Technisches Museum in Vienna.
Lilienthal's flights using this glider typically achieved a distance of starting from the top of the launching mound that he had constructed. A bow frame or "Prellbügel" was used to reduce the impact in case of a crash. Later the Normalsegelapparat was developed into a biplane.
An authentic replica of the Normalsegelapparat made by the Otto Lilienthal Museum have been investigated by the German Aerospace Center in wind tunnel and flight tests. The results proof that the glider was stable in pitch and roll and can be flown safely at moderate altitudes.Specifications (typical)
