History of the C-1a/0 class
The FAI (Federation Aeronautique Internationale) is the governing body that certifies aviation records. To make records meaningful, the FAI categorizes propeller-driven aircraft, gliders, balloons, etc. separately, and each category is further organized by weight (it makes no sense to compare a P-51 with an ultralight even if both are prop-driven airplanes). For C-1a/0, the C indicates a land plane (vs. a sea plane), -1 indicates power is provided by a reciprocating engine, and a/0 is the takeoff weight of the aircraft, in this case <300kg (661lbs). Although there are hundreds of record types recognized by FAI, the two most prestigious in each class are generally recognized as the 3km Absolute speed and Time to climb 3000 meters. Below are two of the more famous aircraft to have set records in this class.
The FAI (Federation Aeronautique Internationale) is the governing body that certifies aviation records. To make records meaningful, the FAI categorizes propeller-driven aircraft, gliders, balloons, etc. separately, and each category is further organized by weight (it makes no sense to compare a P-51 with an ultralight even if both are prop-driven airplanes). For C-1a/0, the C indicates a land plane (vs. a sea plane), -1 indicates power is provided by a reciprocating engine, and a/0 is the takeoff weight of the aircraft, in this case <300kg (661lbs). Although there are hundreds of record types recognized by FAI, the two most prestigious in each class are generally recognized as the 3km Absolute speed and Time to climb 3000 meters. Below are two of the more famous aircraft to have set records in this class.
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Mike Arnold's AR-5 has inspired a generation of aerospace engineers by being the first powered aircraft with a flat plate drag of less than 1 square foot - that's less drag than a large dinner plate held flat to the wind! Mike was a film-maker by trade but that didn't stop him from wowing aero engineers with the world's most efficient aircraft. In 1992, the AR-5 set a c-1a/0 record of 213mph on a mere 65HP. The AR-5 is currently on permanent display at the Hiller Aviation Museum in San Carlos, California. Paulo Iscold's CEA-308 was inspired by Arnold's AR-5. Designed and built by Iscold and fellow students at the Federal University of Minas-Gerais in Brazil when he was only 23, the 308 set 4 world records in 2010: 3km absolute speed (223mph), speed over 15km, speed over 100km, and Time to Climb 3000m. Check out Iscold's Anequim Project, which looks to demolish all kinds of records in 2015. The SR-1 was inspired by both these amazing airplanes. Iscold and I had the amazing opportunity to meet Arnold in 2014, and I spent several months during 2014 working with Iscold, Craig Catto, Bob Kuykendall and other leaders in the field of experimental composite aircraft to prepare for building the SR-1. The SR-1 will be pursuing both the 3km absolute speed and time to climb records, as well as some of the longer distance speed records. |