Schleicher ASK 13

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The ASK 13 is a two-seater glider that was built by Alexander Schleicher. It was and still is widely used for ab-initio training of glider pilots.

Design and development

In 1965 Rudolf Kaiser continued development of the two-seat Ka 2 and Schleicher Ka 7 by introducing the ASK 13, using a mixture of materials including metal, wood and glassfibre. It has swept-forward single-spar wings, positioned lower than in the Ka 7, which allows for a large blown canopy providing a good all-round view for both pilots.

The 6 degree forward sweep of the wing allows the rear pilot to be seated near the centres of gravity and lift. The glider therefore maintains the same trim whether flown single seated or dual seated. The D-type leading edge torsion box is of plywood and the whole wing is fabric-covered. There are metal Schempp-Hirth air brakes above and below the wing, and the wooden ailerons are fabric-covered. The fuselage is a welded steel tube structure with spruce stringers and fabric-covered overall, except for the nose, which is glassfibre. The tail unit is plywood-covered, except for the rear part of the rudder and elevators, which are fabric-covered, and there is a Flettner trim tab in the starboard elevator.

Landing gear consists of a non-retractable sprung wheel, mounted aft of the centre of gravity. Originally there was a skid under the forward fuselage but many K13s now have a nose wheel. But a nose skid can still be seen on most k13s

It first flew in prototype form in July 1966 and by January 1978 a total of approximately 700 ASK 13s had been built by Schleicher. They are superb training gliders because they stall and spin well but these manoeuvres are easy to recover from. Their construction also gives them great strength and yet they are easily repairable.

The aircraft was succeeded by the ASK 21.

Specifications

1979-built ASK 13

General characteristics

  • Crew: Two
  • Length: 8.18 m (26 ft 10 in)
  • Wingspan: 16.00 m (52 ft 6 in)
  • Height: 1.6 m (5 ft 3 in)
  • Wing area: 17.5 m2 (188 ft2)
  • Aspect ratio: 14.6
  • Wing profile: Göttingen 535/549
  • Empty weight: 290 kg (640 lb)
  • Gross weight: 480 kg (1,060 lb)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 200 km/h (125 mph)
  • Maximum glide ratio: 28
  • Rate of sink: 0.81 m/s (160 ft/min)

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
Related lists

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to ASK 13.
Schleicher glider types
Wooden construction
Wooden construction (Rudolf Kaiser)
GRP construction (Rudolf Kaiser)
GRP construction (Gerhard Waibel)
GRP construction (Martin Heide)
GRP construction (Michael Greiner)
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