The Whigham GW-5 is an American mid-wing, single seat, FAI Standard Class glider that was designed and constructed by Gene Whigham, a retired flight test engineer for Convair.^[1][2][3]

The GW-5 was designed for the standard class and as such it features a constant-chord 15 m (49.2 ft) wing with a Wortmann FX 61-184 airfoil and flaps for glidepath control.^[1][2][4]

The GW-5 is of all-metal construction. The landing gear is a faired fixed monowheel. The aircraft has a bubble canopy and a conventional low tail.^[1][2]

One GW-5 was built. It was completed in 1980 and registered with the Federal Aviation Administration in the Experimental - Amateur-built category.^[1][2][3]

The sole GW-5 built was sold in September 2012 and the registration has expired.^[3] It is not known if the aircraft still exists or not.

Data from Sailplane Directory and Soaring^[1][2]

General characteristics

• Crew: one
• Wingspan: 49 ft 3 in (15.0 m)
• Wing area: 131 sq ft (12.2 m²)
• Aspect ratio: 18.5:1
• Airfoil: Wortmann FX 61-184
• Empty weight: 518 lb (235 kg)
• Gross weight: 770 lb (349 kg)

Performance

• Maximum glide ratio: 33:1
• Wing loading: 5.87 lb/sq ft (28.7 kg/m²)

Related lists

• List of gliders