Rensselaer RP-3

The Rensselaer RP-3 (for Rensselaer Polytechnic design 3) is an American mid-wing, T-tailed single-seat, glider that was designed by Brian E. Thompson and produced by the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute of Troy, New York. It first flew in 1998.

Design and development
The RP-3 was the third aircraft design in Rensselaer's Composite Aircraft Program and was completed in 1998.

The aircraft is of composite construction. Its 54 ft span wing employs a Wortmann FX-67-K170/17 airfoil and features split flaps. The landing gear is a retractable monowheel, with an auxiliary tailwheel. The aircraft is considerably larger and heavier than its predecessors, the RP-1 and RP-2, with an empty weight of 650 lb and a gross weight of 1000 lb. Despite its large wingspan the RP-3 achieved only a 32:1 glide ratio.

Only one RP-3 was built and it was registered with the Federal Aviation Administration in the Experimental - Amateur-built category.

Aircraft on display

 * New York State Museum