Schleicher ASK 21

ASK 21
Schleicher ASK 21
Role	Two Seater-class or Club-class glider
National origin	Germany
Manufacturer	Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co
Designer	Rudolf Kaiser
First flight	February 1979
Introduction	1979
Number built	Over 1000

The Schleicher ASK 21 is a two-seat glider produced by Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co.

The glider is made out of glass-reinforced plastic. It's designed for beginners.

But it's also used for aerobatics and cross-country flying.

Design

The ASK 21 is designed by Rudolf Kaiser. He made it to replace the old ASK 13. It's still in production to this day.

Something interesting is the T-shape tail that the glider has. Around a 1000 units where build.

It is the first glass-reinforced plastic glider made by Schleicher. It first flew in February of 1979.

In 2018 a new glider got introduced, the Schleicher ASK 21B.

Variants

ASK 21

Original glider

ASK 21 Mi

Self-launching glider

Vanguard TX.1

The ASK-21 acquired by the UK Ministry of Defence for use by the Air Cadet organisations.

ASK 21B

Improved version of the original ASK 21. New features: automatic control connections, internal spin ballast, revised canopy, more effective ailerons.

Specifications (ASK 21)

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Length: 8.35 m (27 ft 5 in)
• Wingspan: 17 m (55 ft 9 in)
• Height: 1.55 m (5 ft 1 in)
• Wing area: 17.95 m² (193.2 sq ft)
• Aspect ratio: 16:1
• Airfoil: FX S02-196 / FX 60-126
• Empty weight: 360 kg (794 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 600 kg (1,323 lb)

Performance

• Stall speed: 65 km/h (40 mph, 35 kn)
• Never exceed speed: 280 km/h (170 mph, 150 kn) in smooth air

• 200 km/h (110 kn) in rough air
• 180 km/h (97 kn) on aero-tow
• 150 km/h (81 kn) on winch launch

• g limits: +6.5 -4 at 180 km/h (97 kn)
• Maximum glide ratio: 34 at 90 km/h (49 kn)
• Rate of sink: 0.64 m/s (126 ft/min) at 67 km/h (36 kn)
• Wing loading: 33.4 kg/m² (6.8 lb/sq ft)

See Also

• IS 28 B2
• Schleicher ASK 23
• ZS Jezow PW-6U
• Grob G103a Twin II
• PZL Bielsko SZD-50