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Polar Data

Overview
I am often asked to provide polar data to customers.  For liability reasons I cannot provide "official" polar data.  Below is "unofficial" data sent to me by glider pilots from around the world.  If you disagree with the data below please let me know and I'll include your version of the data as well.

Help Requested
This page could be a valuable resource as more data is added.  Please send me data for the sailplanes you fly.
Note: The data must be formatted to fit in the table below.  It must be in the units used in the table.  I'm sorry, but I do not have time to do conversions or take data from raw data sent to me.

When submitting data please copy the text below and paste it into an e-mail.

Glide Navigator II or Cambridge Data
Manufacturer:
Model:
Max Water Ballast (L):
Dry All Up Weight (weight used when polar data measured) (Kg):
Max Glide Ratio:
Best L/D Speed (km/hr):
V2 (Speed at which polar crosses 2 m/s sink) (km/hr):
Wing Area (m²):

WinPilot Data
Manufacturer:
Model:
Dry All Up Weight (weight used when polar data measured) (Kg):
Max Water Ballast (L):
Speed 1 (km/hr):
Sink 1 (m/s):
Speed 2 (km/hr):
Sink 2 (m/s):
Speed 3 (km/hr):
Sink 3 (m/s):

Disclaimer
The polar data below is not verified or endorsed in any way.  Use it at your own risk. 

Links
Australian Soaring Spreadsheet site - Jim Rennie (spreadsheet) & Beverley Matthews (data) - Includes a spreadsheet with polar curves for many, many gliders
Sailplane Cruising Polar Coefficients and Weight Limits - Collection of polar data for many sailplanes by Carl Herold hosted by WinPilot author Jerry Plaszowiecki
 Soaring Links - Theory, Equations & Spreadsheets by Paul Remde
 Soaring Files - Spreadsheets, stories, forms, flight logs, etc. - collected by Paul E. Remde

Cambridge 300 Utility Polar (".plr") File Format Example
Type ID Max
Glide Ratio		 Best L/D Speed
(km/hr)		 V2
(Speed at which
polar crosses
2 m/s of sink)
(km/hr)		 Reference Weight
(Weight
when polar data
was measured)
(Kg)		 Max
Water Ballast
(Liters)		 ? Wing Area
(m²)
(To Enter "10.5" put "10500" in file)
ASW-20 ASW 40 100 175 350 100 0 10.5
Actual Data in File
ASW-20  ,ASW    , 40, 100, 175, 350, 100, 0, 10500

 

WinPilot (".plr") File Format Example

Dry All Up Weight
(Glider + Pilot(s)
without water ballast
when polar data
was measured)
(Kg)

Max
Water Ballast
(Liters)

 Speed 1
(km/hr)		 Sink 1
(m/s)		 Speed 2
(km/hr)		 Sink 2
(m/s)		 Speed 3
(km/hr)		 Sink 3
(m/s)
377 159 116.2 -0.77 174.3 -1.89 213.04 -3.3
Actual Data in File
*ASW-20 WinPilot POLAR file: MassDryGross[kg], MaxWaterBallast[liters], Speed1[km/h], Sink1[m/s], Speed2, Sink2, Speed3, Sink3
377, 159, 116.2, -0.77, 174.3, -1.89, 213.04, -3.3

Polar Adjustment and Conversion Spreadsheets
Please understand that polar data only applies to a given wing loading and therefore weight of a glider.  Changes to the weight will change the airspeed numbers as well.  Your glide computer would not work properly if you simply adjust the weight amount to that of your glider.  The spreadsheets below can be used to adjust the polar speed numbers due to differences in weight in your glider compared to the glider used to measure the polar.  The dry all up weight in the table below should be the weight at which the polar data was measured.  It should not be the weight of your particular glider.  The spreadsheets can be used to calculate the airspeed numbers for your glider at its current weight including pilot(s) and parachute(s).
Remde_Polar_Cambridge_to_Reichmann.xls
Remde_Polar_Reichmann_to_Cambridge.xls

Procedure for Creating Polar Data for Your Sailplane

  1. Find flight test data or a factory polar or data from the table below
  2. Take data from the polar and enter it into one of the 2 spreadsheets found above.  It is my opinion that the Cambridge approach to representing polar data is the most accurate way to enter the data.
  3. Enter into the spreadsheet the weight of the glider when the data was measured
  4. Enter the all-up dry weight of your glider with you and everything you fly with
  5. Read the polar data for your glider from the spreadsheet
Sailplane Polar Data
 Not Verified - Use at your own risk
When providing polar data, please make sure the weight value is the weight when the polar data was measured.
          Glide Navigator II and Cambridge 302 and L-NAV Data WinPilot Data
Manufacturer Model

Wing
Span
(m)

Wing
Area
(m²)

Wing
Loading
(kg/m²)

 Max
Water Ballast
(Liters)		 Reference Weight
(Weight
when polar data
was measured)
(Kg)		 Max
Glide Ratio		 Best L/D Speed
(km/hr)		 V2
(Speed at which
polar crosses
2 m/s of sink)
(km/hr)		 Speed 1
(km/hr)		 Sink 1
(m/s)		 Speed 2
(km/hr)		 Sink 2
(m/s)		 Speed 3
(km/hr)		 Sink 3
(m/s)
Applebay Zuni II 15 10.13 35.34 182 358 38 90 160 110.00 -0.880 167.00 -2.210 203.72 -3.632
Centrair Pegase 15         40 90 159 100 -0.72 120 -1.01 150 -1.72
DG DG-400-15m 15     90 440 43 124 198 115.00 -0.760 160.53 -1.219 210.22 -2.340
DG DG-400-17m 17 10.57 42.00 90 444 48 120 206 118.28 -0.683 163.77 -1.151 198.35 -1.810
DG DG-500 (1-Up) 22 18.29 31.16 160 570 47 94 173 107.50 -0.664 141.33 -1.191 176.66 -2.131
DG DG-500 (2-Up) 22 18.29 36.09 160 660 47 102 181 115.50  -0.715 152.16 -1.282 190.22 -2.295
DG DG-500M (1-Up) 22 18.29 36.03 100 659 47 101 181 115.40 -0.711 152.01 -1.281 190.02 -2.293
DG DG-500M (2-Up) 22 18.29 41.01 100 750 47 108 188 121.60 -0.745 162.12 -1.366 202.66 -2.445
DG DG-800-15m 15 10.7 43.74 120 468 45 110 202 133.90 -0.879 178.87 -1.528 223.59 -2.527
DG DG-800-18m winglets 18 11.81 39.97 120 472 50 87 199 106.00 -0.620 171.75 -1.466 214.83 -2.346
DG DG-1000-20m (2-Up) 20 17.51 28 160 490 47 95 160 100 -0.59 120 -0.86 150 -1.65
DG DG-1000-20m (2-Up) 20 17.51 35 160 613 47 106 172 106 -0.62 153 -1.397 200 -3.181
Genesis Genesis 15 11.19 33.42 151 374 43 100 174 94.00 -0.608 141.05 -1.178 172.40 -1.960
Glasflügel 604 22 16.26 35.06 100 570 43
(calculated)		 112 167 112.97 -0.723 150.64 -1.416 207.13 -4.106
Glasflügel H-201 Std Libelle 15 9.85 30.86 50 304 34 90 155 97.00 -0.790 152.43 -1.913 190.54 -3.314
Glasflügel H-301 Libelle 15 9.5 31.58 50 300 38 94 147 94.00 -0.680 147.71 -2.032 184.64 -4.064
Grob G-102 Club 15 ? ? 0 ? 33 84 151 100 -0.88 120 -1.22 150 -1.98
Grob G-103 Twin II (1-up) 17.5 17.8 27.75 0 494 37 106 168 90.75 -0.735 161.42 -1.798 207.54 -3.502
Grob G-103 Twin II (2-up) 17.5 17.8 32.58 0 580 36 115 177 99.00 -0.800 175.01 -1.949 225.02 -3.797
Grob G-103 Twin II 17.5 17.8 33.99 0 605 30 95 165 95 -0.880 148 -1.631 200 -2.914
IAR Brasov IS-28B2 Lark 17 18.24 28.51 121 520 34 98 143 98 -0.801 149 -2.286 200 -5.907
IAR Brasov IS-29D2 Lark 15 10.4 34.62 0 360 37 81 151 100.00 -0.815 135.67 -1.552 184.12 -3.280
LET Blanik L 13 16.2 19.1 24.7 0 292+90+90=472 28 85 122 85 -0.843 143 -3.321 200 -9.613
LET Blanik L 23 16.2 19.15 26.63 0 510 28 95 135 95 -0.942 148 -2.601 200 -6.537
LET L 33 Sólo 14.12 11 30.00 0 330 31 93 144 87.20 -0.797 135.64 -1.727 174.40 -3.402
PIK PIK-20B 15 10 35.4 144 354 42 99 173 102.50 -0.685 157.76 -1.590 216.91 -3.602
PIK PIK-20D 15 10 34.8 144 348 40 95 164 100.00 -0.691 156.54 -1.782 215.24 -4.192
PIK PIK-20E 15 10 43.7 80 437 42 81 167 109.61 -0.830 166.68 -1.996 241.15 -4.696
PIK PIK-30M 17 10.63 43.27 0 460 45 115 194 123.60 -0.776 152.04 -1.119 200.22 -2.166
PZL Swidnik PW-5 Smyk 13.44 10.16 29.52 0 300 31 84 138 99.50 -0.951 158.48 -2.853 198.10 -5.135
PZL Swidnik PW-5 Smyk 13.44 10.16 24.61 0 250 32 85 135 85 -0.738 143 -2.332 200 -6.117
Manufacturer Model

Wing
Span
(m)

Wing
Area
(m²)

Wing
Loading
(kg/m²)

 Max
Water Ballast
(Liters)		 Reference Weight
(Weight
when polar data
was measured)
(Kg)		 Max
Glide Ratio		 Best L/D Speed
(km/hr)		 V2
(Speed at which
polar crosses
2 m/s of sink)
(km/hr)		 Speed 1
(km/hr)		 Sink 1
(m/s)		 Speed 2
(km/hr)		 Sink 2
(m/s)		 Speed 3
(km/hr)		 Sink 3
(m/s)
Rolladen-Schneider LS-1C 15 9.74 35.93 91 350 32 107 160 115.87 -1.017 154.49 -1.838 193.12 -3.321
Rolladen-Schneider LS-3 15 10.5 36.48 121 383 40 95 171 95 -0.660 148 -1.412 200 -2.940
Rolladen-Schneider LS-4 15 10.5 30.48 140 230+90=320 40 95 170 95 -0.660 148 -1.426 200 -2.995
Rolladen-Schneider LS-4a 15 10.5 34.38 121 361 40 111 164 114.87 -0.799 172.30 -2.326 210.59 -4.448
Rolladen-Schneider LS-6-18 (15m) 15 10.5 33.00 ? 347 42 98 172 98 -0.648 149 -1.395 200 -2.961
Rolladen-Schneider LS-6-18 (15m) W 15 10.5 35.24 ? 370 44 100 183 100 -0.631 150 -1.254 200 -2.489
Rolladen-Schneider LS-6a 15 10.5 33.33 150 350 42 89 178 100 -0.67 155 -1.48 212 -3.00
Rolladen-Schneider LS-6b 15 10.5 34.19 200 359 40 95 180 95 -0.660 148 -1.310 200 -2.533
Rolladen-Schneider LS-6-18 18 11.4 33.00 ? 376 48 93 167 93 -0.538 147 -1.388 200 -3.318
Rolladen-Schneider LS-6-18 W 18 11.4 33.33 ? 380 49 100 183 100 -0.567 150 -1.200 200 -2.531
Rolladen-Schneider LS-7WL 15 9.74 35.93 150 350 48? 120 168 103.77 -0.73 155.65 -1.47 180.00 -2.66
Rolladen-Schneider LS8-15 15 10.5 34.29 180 360 44 112 172 100 -0.67 155 -1.45 185 -2.5
Rolladen-Schneider LS8-18 18     0 370 48 90 170 90 -0.521 145 -1.319 200 -3.079
Aircraft Cooperative Mechta AC-4 Russia 12.6 7.7 32.47 0 250 31 86 147 99.30 -0.918 140.01 -1.800 170.01 -2.850
Manufacturer Model

Wing
Span
(m)

Wing
Area
(m²)

Wing
Loading
(kg/m²)

 Max
Water Ballast
(Liters)		 Reference Weight
(Weight
when polar data
was measured)
(Kg)		 Max
Glide Ratio		 Best L/D Speed
(km/hr)		 V2
(Speed at which
polar crosses
2 m/s of sink)
(km/hr)		 Speed 1
(km/hr)		 Sink 1
(m/s)		 Speed 2
(km/hr)		 Sink 2
(m/s)		 Speed 3
(km/hr)		 Sink 3
(m/s)
Schempp-Hirth Discus a 15 10.58 33.08 182 350 43 116 168 103.77  -0.72 155.65 -1.546 190.24 -3.121
Schempp-Hirth Discus b 15 10.58 30.72 184 325 42 100 170 100 -0.661 150 -1.439 200 -3.110
Schempp-Hirth Discus 2a 15 10.16 32.48 195 330 42 110 190 110 -0.728 155 -1.260 200 -2.264
Schempp-Hirth DuoDiscus (1-up) 20 16.4 32.74 201 537 45 116 172 94.06 -0.720 155.49 -1.428 188.21 -2.721
Schempp-Hirth DuoDiscus (2-up) 20 16.4 38.29 201 628 45 128 181 106.50 -0.794 168.11 -1.544 201.31 -2.942
Schempp-Hirth DuoDiscusT (2-up) 20 16.4 37.5 85 467+74+74=615 45 103 183 103 -0.636 152 -1.255 200 -2.514
Schempp-Hirth Janus B (1-up) 18.2     170 508 43 110 162 105.70 -0.695 157.65 -1.816 192.68 -3.628
Schempp-Hirth Janus B (2-up) 18.2     170 603 43 120 172 115.50 -0.758 171.79 -1.979 209.96 -3.953
Schempp-Hirth Nimbus II 20.3 14.39 34.26 159 493 49 100 175 119.83  -0.750 179.75 -2.142 219.69 -3.769
Schempp-Hirth Nimbus 3 24.5 16.7 31.56 159 527 57 88 181 116.18 -0.665 174.28 -1.806 232.37 -3.821
Schempp-Hirth Nimbus 3D (1-up) 24.6 16.85 36.85 168 621 56 84 192 87.47 -0.433 163.86 -1.381 204.27 -2.302
Schempp-Hirth Nimbus 3D (2-up) 24.6 16.85 42.26 168 712 56 89 200 93.64 -0.463 175.42 -1.479 218.69 -2.464
Schempp-Hirth Nimbus 3DM (1-up) 24.6 16.85 44.39 168 748 57 108? 203 103.86 -0.510 157.42 -1.038 222.24 -2.528
Schempp-Hirth Nimbus 3DM (2-up) 24.6 16.85 48.66 168 820 57 112? 210 114.97 -0.565 157.42 -0.981 222.24 -2.331
Schempp-Hirth Nimbus 3T 24.5 16.7 34.55 310 577 59 90 186 141.70 -0.985 182.35 -1.890 243.13 -4.001
Schempp-Hirth Nimbus 4 26.4 17.86 33.43 303 597 59 95 186  85.10 -0.412 127.98 -0.746 162.74 -1.386
Schempp-Hirth Nimbus 4D (1-up) 26.4 17.96 36.30 303 652 60 99 191 99.00 -0.460 133.73 -0.779 170.07 -1.449
Schempp-Hirth Nimbus 4D (2-up) 26.4 17.96 41.37 303 743 60 105 199 107.50 -0.497 142.74 -0.832 181.51 -1.546
Schempp-Hirth Nimbus 4DM (1-up) 26.4 17.96 40.59 168 729 59 105 198 94.31 -0.455 141.47 -0.825 179.90 -1.533
Schempp-Hirth Nimbus 4DM (2-up) 26.4 17.96 45.67 168 820 60 111 206 100.01 -0.480 150.01 -0.875 190.76 -1.625
Schempp-Hirth Standard Cirrus 15 10 33.7 80 337 36 101? 158 93.23 -0.742 149.17 -1.708 205.10 -4.168
Schempp-Hirth Standard Cirrus 15 10 31.0 60 220+90=310 38 85 160 85 -0.621 143 -1.530 200 -3.414
Schempp-Hirth Standard Cirrus 75 15 10 31.0 80 220+90=310 38 85 160 85 -0.621 143 -1.530 200 -3.414
Schempp-Hirth Ventus a/b - 16.6m 15 9.51 37.64 151 358 44 105 180 100.17 -0.638 159.69 -1.470 239.54 -4.293
Schempp-Hirth Ventus b - 15m 15 9.51 35.86 151 341 40 102 179 97.69 -0.680 156.30 -1.458 234.45 -3.848
Schempp-Hirth Ventus b - 15m 15 9.51 36.38 154 346 43 98 180 98 -0.633 149 -1.286 200 -2.587
Schempp-Hirth Ventus b - 18m
("Eagle tips")		 18     81 349 47 93 176 93 -0.550 147 -1.265 200 -2.777
Manufacturer Model

Wing
Span
(m)

Wing
Area
(m²)

Wing
Loading
(kg/m²)

 Max
Water Ballast
(Liters)		 Reference Weight
(Weight
when polar data
was measured)
(Kg)		 Max
Glide Ratio		 Best L/D Speed
(km/hr)		 V2
(Speed at which
polar crosses
2 m/s of sink)
(km/hr)		 Speed 1
(km/hr)		 Sink 1
(m/s)		 Speed 2
(km/hr)		 Sink 2
(m/s)		 Speed 3
(km/hr)		 Sink 3
(m/s)