View source for Advanced Aeromarine Sierra

{{Short description|American glider}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2022}}
<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
{{Infobox aircraft
 | name=Sierra
 | image=Advanced AeroMarine Sierra LS.jpg
 | caption=
 | type=[[Glider (sailplane)|Glider]]
 | national_origin=[[United States]]
 | manufacturer=[[Advanced Aeromarine]]
 | designer=
 | first_flight=March 1991
 | introduction=
 | retired=
 | status=Production completed
 | primary_user=
 | more_users= <!--Limited to three in total; separate using <br /> -->
 | produced= <!--years in production-->
 | number_built=1 (1998)
 | developed_from= 
 | variants=[[Moyes Tempest]]
}}
The '''Advanced Aeromarine Sierra''' was an American [[high-wing]], [[strut-braced]], single-seat, [[Glider (sailplane)|glider]] that was designed and produced by [[Advanced Aeromarine]], as a kit for [[Homebuilt aircraft|amateur construction]].<ref name="Aerocrafter">Purdy, Don: ''AeroCrafter - Homebuilt Aircraft Sourcebook'', page 300. BAI Communications. {{ISBN|0-9636409-4-1}}</ref><ref name="KitplanesDec1998">Downey, Julia: ''1999 Kit Aircraft Directory'', Kitplanes, Volume 15, Number 12, December 1998, page 31. Primedia Publications. ISSN 0891-1851</ref>

==Design and development==
The Sierra was intended as a lightweight and affordable glider with modest performance that could be launched by [[ultralight aircraft]] [[aerotow]], [[auto-tow]], [[winch-launch]] or [[bungee launch]]. It first flew in March 1991.<ref name="Aerocrafter" /><ref name="KitplanesDec1998" />

The aircraft was made from [[aluminium]] tube, fabric and composites. Its {{convert|42.65|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} span wing was supported by a [[lift strut]] and [[jury strut]]s. The [[glide ratio]] was 25:1 and had a landing roll of {{convert|150|ft|m|0|abbr=on}}. The [[landing gear]] was tandem wheels, plus a tail [[caster]]. The completion time from the factory kit was rated as 150 hours.<ref name="Aerocrafter" /><ref name="KitplanesDec1998" />

Although very light, with a standard empty weight of {{convert|205|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}, the Sierra did not qualify under the US [[FAR 103 Ultralight Vehicles]] regulations as a [[hang glider]], neither was it foot-launchable. Only one prototype had been reported as completed by December 1998.<ref name="Aerocrafter" /><ref name="KitplanesDec1998" />

==Operational history==
In September 2011 there were no Sierras [[Aircraft registration|registered]] with the US [[Federal Aviation Administration]] and it is likely that none exist anymore.<ref name="FAAReg">{{Cite web|url = http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/AcftRef_Results.aspx?Mfrtxt=&Modeltxt=SIERRA&PageNo=1|title = Make / Model Inquiry Results|accessdate = 1 September 2011|last = [[Federal Aviation Administration]]|authorlink = |date = September 2011}}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

==Variants==
;Sierra LS
:Main production version<ref name="Aerocrafter" />
<!-- ==Aircraft on display== -->

==Specifications (Sierra LS) ==
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=Purdy and KitPlanes<ref name="Aerocrafter" /><ref name="KitplanesDec1998" />
|prime units?=imp<!-- imp or kts first for US aircraft, and UK aircraft pre-metrification, met(ric) first for all others. You MUST choose a format, or no specifications will show -->
<!--
        General characteristics
-->
|genhide=

|crew=one
|capacity=
|length m=
|length ft=21
|length in=0
|length note=
|span m=
|span ft=42
|span in=7.8
|span note=
|height m=
|height ft=
|height in=
|height note=
|wing area sqm=
|wing area sqft=142
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio=13:1
|airfoil=
|empty weight kg=
|empty weight lb=205
|empty weight note=
|gross weight kg=
|gross weight lb=455
|gross weight note=
|more general=
<!--
        Performance
-->
|perfhide=

|max speed kmh=
|max speed mph=
|max speed kts=
|max speed note=
|cruise speed kmh=
|cruise speed mph=
|cruise speed kts=
|cruise speed note=
|stall speed kmh=
|stall speed mph=27
|stall speed kts=
|stall speed note=
|never exceed speed kmh=
|never exceed speed mph=
|never exceed speed kts=
|never exceed speed note=
|g limits=
|roll rate=
|glide ratio=25:1 at {{convert|40|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}}
|sink rate ms=
|sink rate ftmin=
|sink rate note=
|lift to drag=
|wing loading kg/m2=
|wing loading lb/sqft=3.2
|wing loading note=
|more performance=
|avionics=
}}

==See also==
{{aircontent
<!-- include as many lines are appropriate. additional lines/entries with carriage return. -->
|see also=
|related=
*[[Moyes Tempest]]
|similar aircraft=
*[[Hall Vector 1]]
*[[Maupin Carbon Dragon]]
|lists=
* [[List of gliders]]
}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

<!-- ==External links== -->
{{Advanced Aeromarine aircraft}}

[[Category:1990s United States sailplanes]]
[[Category:Homebuilt aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1991]]
[[Category:High-wing aircraft]]