The Fauvel AV.22 was an unorthodox glider produced in France in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. Originally intended to be produced in series, it was later marketed to homebuilders. Like other Charles Fauvel designs, it was a tailless aircraft, and this particular design featured wings with a slight forward sweep.
Design and development
The original AV.22 design was unpowered, but later versions were equipped with an engine mounted in the nose for self-launching. The AV.22 was entered in a 1959 competition to select a standard glider for the French aeroclubs, but lost to the Wassmer Bijave.
The first powered version was the AV.221, which flew on 8 April 1965. In addition to the powerplant, the fuselage was also redesigned to accommodate a passenger side-by-side with the pilot. A simplified version of this aircraft was marketed for homebuilding as the AV.222, with options including a choice of airfoils, and either one or two wheel undercarriage.
AV.22
Initial glider version;first flight 8 April 1956. Two prototypes and four production aircraft were built
AV.22S
Production version of the AV.22 glider.
AV.221
Two-seat motor glider, powered by a 28.7 kW (38.5 hp) Rectimo 4 AR 1200 engine.
AV.221B
A proposed variant powered by a 29.8 kW (40 hp) Survol - de Coucy "Pygmée" engine.
AV.222
Simplified AV.221 for homebuilding;first flight May 1992.
Data from The World's Sailplanes:Die Segelflugzeuge der Welt:Les Planeurs du Monde Volume II Nurflugel AV.22 Nurflugel AV.221 Nurflugel AV.222 Jane's World Sailplanes and Motor Gliders
General characteristics
Crew: 2
Length: 5.07 m (16 ft 8 in) - (AV.22S)
Wingspan: 15.2 m (49 ft 10 in) - (AV.22S)
Height: 1.48 m (4 ft 10 in) at cockpit
Wing area: 21.75 m2 (234.1 sq ft) - (AV.22S)
Aspect ratio: 10.6 - (AV.22S)
Airfoil: F2 17%
Empty weight: 220 kg (485 lb) - (AV.22S)
Max takeoff weight: 495 kg (1,091 lb) - (AV.221)
Powerplant: 1 × Rectimo 4 AR 1200 4-cyl. horizontally opposed air-cooled piston engine, 28.7 kW (38.5 hp) (AV.222) (one of several engine types fitted)
Performance
Maximum speed: 160 km/h (99 mph; 86 kn) - (AV.221)
Stall speed: 58 km/h (36 mph; 31 kn) - (AV.22S)
Never exceed speed: 170 km/h (106 mph; 92 kn) - (AV.22S)
Rough air speed max: 157 km/h (98 mph; 85 kn) - (AV.22S)
Aerotow speed: 160 km/h (99 mph; 86 kn) in smooth air - (AV.22S)
Aerotow speed: 128 km/h (80 mph; 69 kn) in rough air - (AV.22S)
Terminal velocity: with full air-brakes at max all-up weight 165 km/h (103 mph; 89 kn) - (AV.22)
g limits: +8 -4 at 254 km/h (137.1 kn) - (AV.22S)
Maximum glide ratio: 26:1 at 51.6 mph; 44.8 kn (83 km/h) - (AV.22S)
Rate of climb: 3 m/s (590 ft/min) at sea level - (AV.222)
Rate of sink: 0.84 m/s (165 ft/min) at 43.5 mph; 37.8 kn (70 km/h) - (AV.22S)
Wing loading: 20.4 kg/m2 (4.2 lb/sq ft) - (AV.22S)
