title: Slingsby Vega
text: # Slingsby Vega
  
  The Vickers-Slingsby T-65 Vega is a 15-metre class class glider which first flew on 3 June 1977. Of fibreglass construction, it features linked camber-changing flaps and airbrakes, and a retractable main and tailwheel.
  
  A simplified version called the T-65C Sport Vega has a non-retractable mainwheel and hinged trailing edge airbrakes instead of flaps. This version of the Vega first flew on 18 December 1979 and has no provision for water ballast.
  
  ## Variants
  
  Data from:
  
  ### T65A
  
      Initial production version first flown in 1977.
  
  ### T65B
  
      One production glider was designated T65B.
  
  ### T65C Sport Vega
  
      Fixed-wheel with no flaps or water ballast, first flown in 1980.
  
  ### T65D Vega
  
      Increased water ballast to 350 lb (160 kg) and increased all up weight to 1,120 lb (510 kg).
  
  ### Vega 17L
  
      Gliders fitted with optional wingtips to increase span to 17 metres.
  
  ## Specifications (T65D)
  
  Data from Slingsby Sailplanes.
  
  General characteristics
  
  * Crew: One
  * Length: 22 ft 0 in (6.72 m)
  * Wingspan: 49 ft 3 in (15.00 m)
  * Wing area: 109 sq ft (10.1 $m^2)$
  * Aspect ratio: 22.4
  * Empty weight: 519 lb (236 kg)
  * Gross weight: 1,120 lb (510 kg)
  
  Performance
  
  * Maximum speed: 160 mph (250 km/h, 140 kn)
  * Maximum glide ratio: 42
  * Rate of sink: 132 ft/min (0.67 m/s)
  