Neiva B Monitor

The Neiva B-Monitor is a Brazilian two-seat glider designed and manufactured by Industria Aeronautica Neiva between 1945 and 1955, for primary training and utilitarian use.

Design and Development

The B Monitor was designed by Jose Carlos de Barros Neiva after the end of WWII. At that time Brazil was conducting the ” Campanha Nacional de Aviação”(National Aviation Campaign), a nation-wide program focused in re-equipping and incentivizing Aero clubs and the aeronautical industry. The lack of good performance gliders with good training qualities to replace the aging and obsolete sailplane training fleet (composed in its majority by German types of the 30’s)was very sensitive. Jose Carlos de Barros Neiva designed then a glider which conserved the best characteristics of the Grunau Baby (then largely used in Brazil).The first prototype (Registration: PP-PCB) had its maiden flight in 1945, and the type-certification was given in 1950. The “Campanha Nacional de Aviação” bought the first prototype and other 20 aircraft for the aero clubs. A small number of 3 B-monitor were constructed with a different nose and different materials in the mid-50’s.

Construction

The B Monitor has dual controls, non-adjustable rudder pedals. It’s majorly built with wood (Spar, ribs, skin etc.).The fuselage consists of a tubular structure (initially imported steel tubes) and some parts of wood. The undercarriage consists of one fixed wheel which lies behind the centre of gravity, and a fixed skid with rubber ring dampers (Currently some operators have replaced the rubber ring for a carbon-fiber one).

Operational History

The B-Monitor were used in many aero clubs, and have trained hundreds of pilots.Many Brazilian soaring records were established in the type and still today it’s used in some of the major Brazilian aero clubs, such as: CVV-CTA in São José dos Campos/Ipuã, Rio Claro, Osório, and Tatuí, as a primary trainer.

Specifications

Crew:2
Length:7.1 m
Wingspan:15.86 m
Height:1.13 m
Empty Weight:210 kg
Gross Weight:360 kg
Stall Speed:52 km/h
Maximum Speed:145 km/h
Maximum Glide Ratio:1:21

External Links

References

A Construção Aeronáutica no Brasil 1910/1976. Roberto Pereira de Andrade. Editora Brasiliense, 1976.(out of print)
Enciclopédia de Aviões Brasileiros. Roberto Pereira de Andrade. Editora Globo, 1997. ISBN 8525021377