Schleicher ASW 15
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| 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 the ideal placement for winching and aerotowing. The later 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.
Rot due to fungus infestation was found in an early example, leading to an Airworthiness Directive. Starting with serial number 356, balsa wood was abandoned in the construction 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.
It was succeeded by the Schleicher ASW 19.
[edit] Sources
- ASW-15(B) owners and users website
- Alexander Schleicher website
- Thomas F, Fundamentals of Sailplane Design, College Park Press, 1999
- Simons M, Segelflugzeuge 1965-2000, Eqip, 2004
- Sailplane Directory
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