science

VFW SG 1262 Schwebegestell

VFW SG 1262 Schwebegestell is a science topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand VFW SG 1262 Schwebegestell rather than just read about it. In short: The German VFW SG 1262 Schwebegestell (hover rig) was designed and built in 1965 by Vereinigte Flugtechnische Werke (VFW) as an experimental aircraft to assist with the development of several vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) military aircraft types that included the VFW VAK 191B, the EWR VJ 101 and the Dornier Do 31 transport. The 1262 designation relates to the initial numbering of the VAK 191B project by Focke…

Key takeaways

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Reference excerpt

The German VFW SG 1262 Schwebegestell (hover rig) was designed and built in 1965 by Vereinigte Flugtechnische Werke (VFW) as an experimental aircraft to assist with the development of several vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) military aircraft types that included the VFW VAK 191B, the EWR VJ 101 and the Dornier Do 31 transport. The 1262 designation relates to the initial numbering of the VAK 191B project by Focke-Wulf. Tethered test flights were followed in August 1966 by free flights that included an appearance at a Hanover air show. Although the German VTOL programme did not proceed test results were used during development of the Panavia Tornado. The SG 1262 is displayed at the Bundeswehr Museum of German Defense Technology in Koblenz.

Background As part of the development of the VFW-Fokker VAK 191B vertical take-off aircraft, it was necessary to configure and test the monitoring of its flight control system. In order to minimise costs and risks during the development of the 191B the SG 1262 rig was designed and built in 1966 to simulate essential functions. Of high importance was the necessity to test the fly-by-wire flight control system, a redundant flight controller and a self-diagnosis system. A total of approximately 650 hours of simulation time, 2,000 hours of test runs on system test benches and 6,900 hours of wind tunnel tests were documented during the design phase of the project.

Technical description The aircraft was based on a trapezoidal frame without any skin panels. Deviating from the vectored thrust engine concept of the VAK 191B, five Rolls-Royce RB.108 turbojet lift engines with 9 kN (2,000 lbf) thrust each were mounted vertically. In addition to extensive sensor equipment, the rig used an auxiliary gas turbine for autonomous electrical power supply, it was also fitted with a Martin-Baker ejection seat. The control commands were transmitted via an electrical control (fly-by-wire) system with mechanical feedback. The flight control system had triple redundancy and double electro-hydraulic servo units with integrated self-monitoring. The control commands for the three axes were accomplished with compressed air nozzles that were actuated by a 280 bar (4,000 psi) high-pressure hydraulic system, movement of the main engines for control purposes was deliberately omitted. A direct mechanical back up of the compressed air control system was provided for emergencies.

Operational history 40 tethered flights were initially carried out using a fixed telescopic apparatus before the aircraft flew in free flight for the first time on 5 August 1966. 150 free flights were made during the 18-month test program, including a demonstration flight at the 1968 Hanover Air Show at Hanover-Langenhagen. Despite the discontinuation of all German vertical take-off programs the findings from experiments with the SG 1262 and experience gained from the VAK 191B project were used by German engineers during the development of the Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) project which became the Panavia Tornado.

Aircraft on display The SG 1262 is preserved and on display at the Bundeswehr Museum of German Defense Technology in Koblenz.

Specifications

Data from Flugrevue General characteristics Crew: 1 Gross weight: 3,900 kg (8,598 lb) Fuel capacity: 800 kg Powerplant: 5 × Rolls-Royce RB.108 turbojet engines, 9 kN (2,000 lbf) thrust each Performance

Maximum speed: 75 km/h (47 mph, 40 kn) Endurance: 12 minutes Service ceiling: 200 m (660 ft) Thrust/weight: 1.15

See also NBMR-3 - A 1961 NATO requirement for V/STOL military aircraft designs

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Aérospatiale Ludion Lunar Landing Research Vehicle Rolls-Royce Thrust Measuring Rig - A similar but earlier (1954) VTOL research aircraft

Related lists

List of VTOL aircraft

References

Notes

Bibliography Taylor, John W.R. Jane's Pocket Book of Research and Experimental Aircraft, London, Macdonald and Jane's Publishers Ltd, 1976. ISBN 0356 08409 4. Kuckuk, Pophanken and Schalipp. Ein Jahrhundert Luft- und Raumfahrt in Bremen, Edition Falkenberg, 2016 (German language). ISBN 395494071X

External links

V/STOL Fighter Programs in Germany: 1956-1975 PDF, in flight image of SG 1262, p. 39

Illustrations

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with VFW SG 1262 Schwebegestell

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what VFW SG 1262 Schwebegestell claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In science, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to VFW SG 1262 Schwebegestell before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about VFW SG 1262 Schwebegestell ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of VFW SG 1262 Schwebegestell

In research: VFW SG 1262 Schwebegestell appears in science research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses VFW SG 1262 Schwebegestell in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: VFW SG 1262 Schwebegestell is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics 1960s German experimental aircraft, Aircraft first flown in 1966, VFW aircraft, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for VFW SG 1262 Schwebegestell outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study VFW SG 1262 Schwebegestell in 20 minutes

Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
Close the page and write down what VFW SG 1262 Schwebegestell means in your own words.
Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
Explain VFW SG 1262 Schwebegestell out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is VFW SG 1262 Schwebegestell in simple terms?

Why does VFW SG 1262 Schwebegestell matter?

Because it connects several science ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study VFW SG 1262 Schwebegestell?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on VFW SG 1262 Schwebegestell.