Photograph:
An Aviastroitel AC-5M self-launched glider (Author’s collection)
Country of origin:
Russia
Description:
Single-seat self-launched sailplane
Power Plant:
One 19 kw (25 hp) Zanzottera MZ-35R single-cylinder, two-stroke, single-ignition engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 12.6 m (41 ft 4 in)
- Length: 5.3 m (17 ft 5 in)
- Height: 1.3 m (4 ft 3 in)
- Wing area: 7.7 m² (83 sq ft)
- Aspect ratio: 20.6
- Never exceed speed: 220 km/h (137 mph)
- Rate of climb: (490 ft/min)
- Rate of sink: 0.855 m/second (168.3 ft/min) at 95 km/h (59 mph)
- Max glide ratio: 35:1 at 102 km/h (63 mph)
- Wing loading: 39 kg/m² (7.98 lb/sq ft)
- G-limits: +5.3 /-2.65
- Empty weight: 180 kg (397 lb)
- Max payload: 115 kg (254 lb)
- Loaded weight: 300 kg (661 lb)
History:
The AC-5M was developed by Aviastroitel in Russia, being one of a series of gliders / sailplanes developed by that Company. Derived from the motorised variant of the AC-4, the designers aimed the aircraft at the market for a simple and inexpensive self-launched machine, the prototype making its first flight in December 1999, production commencing in 2000. It had a 12.6 m (41 ft 3 in) span wing that used a Wortmann FX60-157 aerofoil, the wings being attached to the fuselage with a single cam pin, this method allowing the ailerons and air brakes to hook-up automatically. Attachment of the wing was said by the manufacturer to be accomplished by one person.
The Zanzottera MZ-35 engine was specially designed for the purpose in Italy, rights to the unit later being sold to a comany in Canada. It was a narrow engine specifically developed for installation in single-seat self-launched gliders and was of 313 cc (19.10 cub in) capacity, weighing 17 kg (37 lb). It drove a 1.18 m (46 in) two-blade propeller of wood construction. As was common with this type of aircraft, the engine retracted into a bay behind the cockpit, being enclosed by two doors. The undercarriage was a retractable 310 mm (12.2 in) monowheel.
More than 20 examples have been registered in the United States and Canada, where they are operated in the ‘Experimental’ and ‘Limited’ categories. Other variants of the glider include the AC-5MP, being an un-manned aerial vehicle with a 60 kw (80 hp) Rotax 912UL engine on a fixed non-retractable pylon; and the AC-5K, similar to the AC-5M with a fixed 32 kw (43 hp) Simonini Victor I engine.
Two examples of the series are known to have been registered in this area, these being a AC-5M MZ-35U/L which became ZK-GPF (c/n 016) and ZK-GPO (c/n 31) built from a kit, having a standard MZ-35 engine.