Eta Aircraft - Designers and manufacturers of a 30.9m wingspan sailplane. The Greek letter h (eta) means efficiency in the technical world. Efficiency is the most important factor for the utilization of energy. For a sailplane efficiency is of utmost importance, to climb in weak thermals and to glide a long distance from the achieved altitude. It was the goal of the project eta to develop and take advantage of all suitable techniques to improve efficiency. As a name for a sailplane, eta means uncompromising use of the most modern design methods, materials and manufacturing tools, to achieve the highest possible increase in sailplane performance. Beside the optimization of performance, our attention was directed to eta´s handling qualities as well. A very small proprtion of the performance increase in level flight was sacrificed for easy circling characteristics. Good handling qualities lead directly to improved pilot efficiency. It should be possible for a pilot of average skill to enjoy extraordinarily long cross country flights with eta. The design bureau Flugtechnik & Leichtbau, under the direction of Dr. Reiner Kickert at the Research Airport Braunschweig, has been commissioned by the famous contest-winning and record-breaking pilots Erwin Müller, Hans-Werner Groكe, Hartmut Lodes, Dr. Jan Krüger, Bruno Gantenbrink and Umberto Mantica to develop a sailplane of extreme dimensions: Wing span: 30.90 m (101.38 ft) Aspect ratio: 51.33 Max. mass: certification 850kg (1873.9 lb), design 950 kg (2094.4 lb) Double seater Self launch capability with SOLO engine The aircraft are being produced by highly reputed German companies: Fuselage, spar caps of the wing structure, final assembly: Walter Binder Flugmotorenbau, Ostheim/Rhِn Wing: Schmidt&Schatz, Roكwنlden Control system: Wolf-Hirth GmbH, Kirchheim/Teck.