Engineering:Schleicher ASH 31

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Short description: Single-seat German motor glider, 2009
ASH 31
ASH 31 Mi Flug 003 20090421.JPG
Schleicher ASH 31 Mi during its first flight
Role Open-class sailplane
National origin Germany
Manufacturer Schleicher
Designer Martin Heide
First flight 21 April 2009[1]
Number built 100 as of 2013[2]

The ASH 31 is a single seat Open Class glider which can also be flown in the 18 metre class configuration.

Design and development

The ASH 31 was announced at the end of 2008 by Alexander Schleicher. The glider was developed as a replacement for the ASH 26.[3] The self-launching Mi version is powered by a 41 kW (55 hp) Wankel engine.[4]

The improvements over the ASH 26 and ASG 29 are given as:

  • Extended ailerons
  • Redesigned wing structure

Variants

ASH 31
Production aircraft with a wingspan of either 18-metres or 21-metres.
ASH 31 Mi
Production aircraft with a retractable engine and propeller for self-launching. It can be flown with a wingspan of either 18-metres or 21-metres.

Specifications (21-metre)

Data from Schleicher.[5]

General characteristics

  • Crew: One
  • Capacity:
    • 115 kg (254 lb) max. pilot weight
    • 140 kg (310 lb) max. water ballast in the wing
  • Length: 7.07 m (23 ft 2 in)
  • Wingspan: 21 m (68 ft 11 in) including winglets
  • Wing area: 13.2 m2 (142 sq ft)
  • Aspect ratio: 33.5
  • Empty weight: 430 kg (948 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 700 kg (1,543 lb)
  • Fuel capacity:
    • 16 L (3.5 imp gal; 4.2 US gal) in fuselage fuel tank
    • 46 L (10 imp gal; 12 US gal) with 2 wing fuel tanks
  • Powerplant: 1 × Austro Engine IAE 50R-AA single rotor Wankel engine, 41 kW (55 hp) [6]
  • Propellers: 2-bladed, 1.55 m (5 ft 1 in) diameter (retractable)

Performance

  • Rate of climb: 4 m/s (790 ft/min)
  • Lift-to-drag: 56[7]
  • Wing loading: 53.0 kg/m2 (10.8 lb/sq ft) max

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

Related lists

Notes

References

External links