M.Hardy. Gliders & Sailplanes of the world

IKV-3 Kotka Finland

  This Finnish high performance single-seater was designed by Mr Tuomo Tervo and Mr Jorma Jalkanen, whose earlier designs included the PIK-16C Vasama and Havukka sailplanes. Design work on the Kotka (or Eagle) began in December 1964 and the prototype was built by members of the Aeroclub Vasama or IKV, in association with K.K. Lehtovaara O/Y, construction starting in mid-1965; the Kotka made its first flight in May 1966; the type was later going to be put into series production by Ilmailukerho Vasama, but only the prototype was built. On 26 May 1968 a Kotka flown by Seppo Hamalainen set up a Scandinavian goal-and-return record distance of 374 miles. The Kotka is of conventional wooden construction with some use made of plastic foam and glassfibre; the cantilever shoulder wing is a box-type single-spar wooden structure from almost the leading edge to the 55% chord line and entirely plywood-skinned, with a small number of wooden or plastic foam ribs at the trailing edge, and a glassfibre leading edge. Both the plain ailerons and the flaps are of plywood covered plastic foam construction. There are two pairs of light alloy air brakes in each wing, on the upper and lower surfaces. The wooden fuselage is glassfibre-covered from the nose to the wing trailing edge, and plywood-skinned aft of the wing. Some plastic foam is employed in the wooden tail unit, the variable incidence tailplane and fin being plywood covered and the rudder and elevators fabric covered. There is a mechanically retractable monowheel with drum-type brakes and also a detachable tailwheel for ease of ground handling. The pilot is seated in a semi-reclining and adjustable seat under a long, flush-fitting cockpit canopy which, together with the tall angular fin, gives the Kotka a distinctive appearance. The instrumentation is of a high standard, with radio, an oxygen system, a central electric control panel and a landing gear warning system being provided.


Span: 59 ft 8 1/2 in
Length: 25 ft 5 in
Height: 6 ft 6 1/2 in
Wing area: 183 sqft
Aspect ratio: 19.0
Empty weight: 749 lb
Max weight: 992 lb
Max speed: 155 mph (in smooth air)
Min sinking speed: 1.74 ft/sec at 43.5 mph
Best glide ratio: 38:1 at 62 mph