Ahrens AR-124

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Ahrens AR 124

The AR 124 single-seater 13m (42ft 7 3/4in) span sailplane was designed and built by Ahrens Aircraft Corporation of Oxnard, California, which is the parent company of Ahrens Aircraft Inc, the main production and assembly plant, which is located at the former Ramey Air Force Base, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. Three prototypes of the AR 124 have been built, the third, or AR 124V3, making its first flight in August 1975, and this is representative of the intended production version. Flight testing and certification trials have been proceeding to meet a target of first customer deliveries beginning late in 1979, although this has been affected by progress with the firm's other major project, the four-turboprop AR 404 30-passenger utility transport, and the AR 124 programme is currently dormant to give priority to the AR 404. The AR 124 is a cantilever mid-wing monoplane with a T-tail, an unusual feature being the all-aluminium construction employed both for the constant-chord wings and the fuselage, the latter being an elliptical-section flush-riveted monocoque; the wings have upper surface spoilers as well as ailerons. A constant-chord non-swept tailplane and one-piece elevator are mounted on the swept-back fin and rudder; constant-chord wings and tailplanes for ease of production are also a feature of the AR 404 utility transport. The AR 124 has a fixed and unsprung Gerdes monowheel with a hydraulic disc drake, and a tailwheel.

Data :AR 124
Span: 42ft 7 3/4 in
Length: 20ft 0in
Height: 5ft 2in
Wing area: 135.0 sqft
Aspect ratio: 13.5
Empty weight: 350lb
Max weight: 640lb
Max speed: 150 mph (in smooth air)
Max aero-tow speed: 103 mph
Best glide ratio: 26:1 at 69 mph