Rensselaer RP-1

The Rensselaer RP-1 is an American low-wing, single-seat, foot-launchable prototype glider that was designed and built by the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute of Troy, New York. It first flew in 1980.

Design and development

The RP-1 was partly funded by NASA and was the first aircraft in Rensselaer's Composite Aircraft Program.
The aircraft is of mixed construction, made from composites, Kevlar and PVC foam. Its span wing employs a Wortmann FX-63-137 airfoil. The aircraft weighs just and was intended to be foot-launched. The landing gear consists of a main skid and dual tail skids. The aircraft achieved a 20:1 glide ratio. Only one was completed; it has been preserved at the Empire State Aerosciences Museum in Schenectady, New York.