Soaring Higher

Abstract

Growing demands on the part of the aircraft industry, particularly in the field of light‐aircraft construction, have led in recent years to the increased use of carbon fibre‐reinforced plastics. This material, better known by its abbreviation CFRP, is characterised by extremely high resistance to fracture, high stiffness and almost ideal density. A visit to the market leader in lightweight low‐cost gliders, the aircraft manufacturing company of Grob, confirms that everything is easier with CFRP. In fact, thanks to CFRP, the Swabian aircraft weigh less than comparable models without carbon fibres — and at the same time are much more resistant to fracture.

Citation

(1987), "Soaring Higher", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 59 No. 1, pp. 8-9. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb036385