Schleicher ASW 15

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**Schleicher ASW 15**
An ASW 15b variant
Fuselage length	6,48 m
Wingspan	15 m
Wing area	11 m²
Aspect ratio	20,45
Wing profile	Wortmann FX 61-163
Empty weight (ex-works)	ca.230 kg (ASW 15B) ca.205 kg (ASW 15)
Maximum cockpit load	115 kg (ASW 15B) 110 kg (ASW 15)
Maximum weight	408 kg (ASW 15B) 318 kg (ASW 15)
Wing loading	37,1 kg/m²
Maximum speed	220 km/h
Stall speed	59 km/h
Sink rate	0,63 m/s at 73 km/h with 27,7 kg/m²
Best glide ratio	ca.36,5 at 90 km/h

The ASW-15, designed in 1968 by Gerhard Waibel and built in series by Schleicher, is a glass composite sailplane, with shoulder-mounted wings and all-flying tailplane. The placement of its single tow release is a compromise between winching and aerotowing - admittedly not excelling in either, in particular with the laterally placed hook of the earlier version. The ASW-15B had several improvements, including a tow release placed on the plane of symmetry, an 11cm taller rudder, a slightly larger main wheel, and the provision of a 90 litre water ballast system.

The flight characteristics are generally speaking unproblematic, with the only issues being the swing at the start of the tow due to the asymmetric tow release and the sensitivity of the all-flying tailplane. In flight it has light controls and climbs well, but loses out at higher speeds in the glide.

Rot due to fungus infestation was found in an early exemplar, leading to an Airworthiness Directive. Starting with serial number 356, balsa wood was abandoned in favour of synthetic foam.

In 1971 and 1972, the American pilot Karl Striedieck set world out-and-return distance soaring records three times flying an ASW-15, including one flight of 1098.54 kilometers on October 15, 1972.