Schempp-Hirth Mini-Nimbus
Schempp-Hirth Nimbus A/B/C "Mini-Nimbus" is a 15metre-Class glider built by Schempp-Hirth GmbH.
Klaus Holighaus was managing two glider manufacturers: Schempp-Hirth and Glasflügel. In designing the glider he therefore used the wings from the Glasflügel 303. It first flew in September 1976. The nick name "Mini Nimbus" was adopted to distinquish it from longer wingspan Nimbus models. Originally it had an all moving tail-plane and fiber glass wing spars (models A and B), but a conventional tail was added later, as were carbon-fibre spars (model C). The conventional horizontal stabalizer/elevator configuration was less sensitive to inputs by the pilot making it easier to fly without constantly making small adjustments to the pitch. This was due to the much larger control surface of the former compared to the later configuration. The addition of carbon-fibre spars significantly lightened the Mini improving its climbing performance while making assembly and disassembly much easier compared to most gliders.
The Mini-Nimbus gliding performance (ratio of distance traveled over altitude lost) was somewhat less competitive than its primary rival in sailplane race competitions, the Alexander Schleicher ASW 20. However its superior climbing performance (altitude gained over time while climbing in lifting air) over its rivals made it the choice of some successful international soaring competition pilots in the late 70s.
A unique capability of the Mini Nimbus is its powerful integrated air brake/flap system which gives the aircraft a superior short field and steep landing approach capability. This is a significant safety enhancing capability especially during recreational or competitive cross-country flights where the risk of landing in rural cultivated fields or pastures is considerable.
200 Mini-Nimbuses were built, many of which remain in use today and are sought out by pilots wishing to get the best competitive performance possible for the least cost. The Mini remains a formidable competitor in the Sports Class of sailplane racing where handicaps are allowed in scoring.
It was the favored aircraft of a former American world champion soaring pilot in his attempt in the late 70's to win two USA soaring championships where he proved that the skill of the pilot can overcome performance differences between competing aircraft.
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