Archaeopteryx












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Latest video: Bungee launch from Alp Scheidegg, 1 oct 2011

Video of Ronald's first flight on 6 May 2011

Some information about my archaeopteryx














I ordered an archaeopteryx in the summer of 2007. I was assigned S/N 014, and then a long wait started. In May 2010 I was informed that the price would more than double, and as a result got together with my partner Felix Kreier. My partner had already ordered S/N 003. On Dec 2nd, 2010 our series production plane was completed.
 
On Feb 19th 2011 Roger Ruppert performed the maiden flight of our S/N 003 from Alp Scheidegg (foot launched!) and flew it to Mollis. So the first flight of our machine was already a foot-launched distance flight!

Felix Kreier also manufactures parts for the Archaeopteryx, click here to get to his company.

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S/N-003 maiden flight - foot launch

On May 6th, Felix and I made our first flights on our Archy! We made three flights each, car winch launched (driver: Ernst - THANKS! Instructor: Walter: THANKS!). This all went very well. First impressions: easy to handle, flies beautifully. Launch and landing very similar to regular gliders - everything just at half speed! This slow flying is a completely new experience....

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Ronald's first take off on Archaeopteryx, May 6 2011

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Ronald's landing

In the mean time, Felix and I continued with more car-winch launch flights and on to aero-tow behind the Remos G3 - all under the professional guidance of Walter Elmer from the Airsportcenter in Mollis. To qualify for the licence, Felix and I each made our flights of more than one hour, using thermals. The picture below shows the impression of Ronald's 1hr38min flight on June 10th.

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Towards Walensee / Schäner from Kerenzer

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In weak thermal, Flaps +15, speed 37KMH!

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over Mollis

On 17 August Felix and I got our license so we can now fly without instructor. Over the past few weeks we have made our first bungee cord launch. 

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Ronald's first off-airfield landing (Galgenen)

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Arachaeopteryx hooked up for Bungee launch, Alp Scheidegg

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Ronald's second off-airfield landing (Wasserschloss, foot Alp Scheidegg)
















Here is the German website of the manufacturer.

Roger Ruppert, the designer, constructor and test pilot of the Archaeopteryx has optimized toward a completely different design space from the traditional German glider manufacturers. Instead of making the gliders ever faster, and therefore more heavy and more difficult to get airborne, Roger went the opposite direction. A very light plane that can fly very slowly is the result.

Here is a link to an impressive video of the prototype (well hidden on the manufacturer's website...)

This is the link to Walter Elmers Airsportcenter

Here is a good wikipedia website on this type of gliders (Microlift gliders)
Link to the innovator's dilemma book
Click here to download Video of the Innovator's Dilemma author keynote at SC10
(This is a one hour video in MPEG4 format, can be viewed with quicktime)

click here to download Flying Outside The Envelope






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