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| Schempp-Hirth Nimbus | |
|---|---|
| Name | Nimbus |
| Country | Germany |
| Manufacturer | Schempp-Hirth |
| First flight | 1977 |
| Role | Glider / Sailplane |
| Crew | 1–2 |
| Status | Active / retired |
Schempp-Hirth Nimbus is a family of high-performance open-class sailplanes developed by Wolfgang Späte's team at Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau in the 1970s with subsequent enhancements by designers including Klaus Holighaus and Martin Hepperle. The Nimbus series sought to compete in international contests such as the World Gliding Championships and to set cross-country records recognized by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale. It became notable for its long wingspan, composite construction, and use by clubs and solo record pilots including Janusz Centka and Hans-Werner Grosse.
The design program began amid advances by manufacturers such as Alexander Schleicher, Rolladen-Schneider, Binder, Grob Aircraft, and Dornier in composite aerostructures. Early work drew on aerodynamic research from institutions like the Deutsche Forschungsanstalt für Luft- und Raumfahrt and universities including TU Braunschweig and Technische Universität München. Primary designers applied laminar-flow theory from researchers such as Ludwig Prandtl and Adolf Busemann and adopted materials pioneered by firms like BASF and Bayer for glass-fibre and carbon-fibre reinforced polymers.
The Nimbus introduced a high aspect ratio wing influenced by the work of Wolfgang Klemperer and computational methods from NACA/NASA archives. Flight controls and airbrake systems incorporated solutions tested in types like the ASW 20 and LS4, while cockpit ergonomics considered pilots from clubs including Royal Aero Club and contest teams such as German National Gliding Team. Certification involved authorities including the Deutscher AeroClub and notifications to EASA and earlier to national agencies in West Germany.
The Nimbus family spawned several models produced at Schempp-Hirth's facility in Kirchheim unter Teck and refined by engineers formerly at Dornier and Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm. Major variants included the initial single-seat versions followed by the extended-span Nimbus-2 and the two-seat Nimbus-4, with production runs comparable to contemporaries like the JS1 Revelation and Ventus series. Manufacturers and subcontractors such as Bucher Leichtbau, Reinartz, and Faserverbundwerkstoffe GmbH supplied components.
Production numbers intersected with market players including PZL, Schempp-Hirth Vertrieb, and dealer networks in countries such as United States, United Kingdom, France, Poland, Australia, Brazil, Argentina, and Japan. Upgrades often referenced aftermarket firms like DG Flugzeugbau and specialists from Bristol University-linked composites groups. Certification changes tracked through organizations including Lloyd's Register for export.
Nimbus sailplanes participated in competitions organized by FAI member bodies and flew in venues such as the Sierra Nevada (Spain), Black Forest, Patagonia, Alps, and Andes. Pilots from clubs including Soaring Society of America, Royal Aero Club, Deutschen Segelflugverband, and teams led by figures like Elmar Wittenberg used Nimbus types for record attempts and World Championship entries. The type logged notable cross-country tasks along routes flown by aviators such as Steve Fossett and record-holders like Klaus Ohlmann.
Training and club use placed Nimbus aircraft at gliding centers including Mannheim, Cambridge Gliding Centre, Perisher Valley, and Cameroonian National Aero Club affiliates. Maintenance practices were influenced by manuals from Schempp-Hirth Werkstatt and regulatory guidance from Luftfahrt-Bundesamt.
The Nimbus family featured wingspans ranging up to the open-class maxima used by FAI competitions, competing with the likes of the Nimbus 4, ASW 22, Nimbus 3, and DG-600. Glide ratios, sink rates, and polar curves were developed with input from aerodynamicists associated with Imperial College London and University of Stuttgart. Performance records were validated by FAI delegates and logged with flight recorders from manufacturers such as Sierra Nevada Instruments and Flight Recorder GmbH.
Typical specifications included high aspect ratio wings, water ballast systems similar to those in LS1 derivatives, and advanced control surfaces akin to developments on the SZD series. Avionics packages often contained units from Garmin, Beringer, and competition instruments by Willi Riedel.
Operators ranged across national teams, aero clubs, and private record pilots. National operators included contingents from Germany, Poland, Spain, United Kingdom, United States, Argentina, Chile, South Africa, Australia, and Russia. Prominent pilots associated with Nimbus flights included Hans-Werner Grosse, Klaus Ohlmann, Janusz Centka, Steve Fossett, Olaf Schmidt, and Michael Sommerfeld. Records logged by Nimbus types entered FAI archives alongside achievements by Per Lindstrand and Bertrand Piccard.
Sailplane rallies and competitions featuring Nimbus models were hosted by organizations like the World Gliding Championships Committee, Royal Aero Club, Soaring Society of America, Deutscher Aero Club, and event promoters such as Glide International.
Incidents involving Nimbus sailplanes were investigated by agencies including the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt, AAIB, NTSB, and national accident boards in France and Spain. Accident reports referenced influences such as severe weather encountered near regions like the Pyrenees, Alps, and Rocky Mountains, and operational factors studied by investigators from Bundesstelle für Flugunfalluntersuchung and university research groups at TU Braunschweig. Safety improvements followed recommendations from bodies including EASA and the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale.
Notable investigations paralleled inquiries into other high-performance types like the ASW 22 and DG-600, leading to modifications overseen by design offices at Schempp-Hirth and maintenance providers including Lufthansa Technik.
Category:Sailplanes