Schempp-Hirth Ventus-3

The Schempp‑Hirth Ventus‑3 is a high‑performance Open‑Class sailplane introduced by German glider builder Schempp‑Hirth in 2016. Developed as the successor to the celebrated Ventus‑2, the Ventus‑3 incorporates more than a decade of aerodynamic research and benefits from advanced composite technologies that Schempp‑Hirth has refined since the company’s founding in the 1930s. The aircraft features a 15‑metre wing span that can be extended to 18 m with wing‑tip extensions, a seamless carbon‑fiber wing skin, and a newly shaped airfoil that reduces profile drag while enhancing lift at low speeds. Its cockpit is equipped with a digital flight‑instrument suite, side‑stick control, and a self‑contained ballast system that allows pilots to optimise wing loading for competition conditions. The Ventus‑3’s low sink rate, high glide ratio of about 53:1, and responsive handling have made it a dominant presence in international gliding contests, securing multiple World and European Championship titles. By blending cutting‑edge material science with proven Schempp‑Hirth design philosophy, the Ventus‑3 embodies the evolution of sailplane performance and continues to influence modern soaring aircraft. Over 150 Ventus‑3s have been built, and the sailplane has helped pilots achieve several distance records.

Schempp-Hirth

Schempp-Hirth Ventus-3

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