Photograph:
Schleicher ASG 32Mi D-KBAS in Germany (G Munch)
Country of origin:
Germany
Description:
Two-seat high-performance self-launched glider
Power Plant:
One 41 kw (55 hp) Austro Engine IAE 50R-AA single-rotor Wankel engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 20 m (65 ft 7 in)
- Length: 9.07 m (29 ft 9 in)
- Fuselage height: 0.998 m (3 ft 3 in)
- Wing area: 15.7 m² (169 sq ft)
- Max speed: 280 km/h (174 mph)
- Minimum sink rate: 36 m/min (118 ft/min)
- Minimum wing loading: 33.8 kg/m² (6.92 lb/sq ft)
- Max wing loading: 54.1 kg/m² (11.08 lb/sq ft)
- Water ballast 210 litres (46 Imp gals) or: 209 kg (460 lb)
- Aspect ratio: 35.47
- Max cockpit load two persons at: 120 kg (165 lb)
- Empty weight: 465 kg (1,025 lb)
- Loaded weight: 850 kg (1,874 lb)
History:
The ASG 32 series of gliders is manufactured in Germany by Alexander Schleicher, the new model being announced by the Company in April 2013. The prototype was flown at Poppenhausen on 31 May 2014 and subsequently entered production, deliveries commencing in 2015. Designed to fit into the gap between the ASK 21 and the larger Open Class aircraft, the design met the requirements set by the FAI in the 20 m (65.6 ft) two-seat class. It is produced in three variants, the ASG 32, which is a pure glider without an engine; the ASG 32Mi, which is the self-launched model with a retractable Wankel type engine driving a two-blade propeller; and the ASG 32El, which is the model with an electric engine capable of sustained flight for 100 km (61 miles) under engine power.
The design is totally new with a four-piece wing with snap-on winglets. Automatic control connections are factory standard as is the integrated engine bay which in the ASG 32 model does not have an engine but this can be fitted later if required. Dual controls are fitted, the single main wheel is fitted with a hydraulic disc brake and a soft suspension, being operated from either seat. The tailwheel is steerable for taxiing. Engine is the Austro Engine IAE 50R-AA unit driving a fixed AS two-blade propeller. The aircraft was designed by Michael Greiner and the wing is based on that of the ASH 30, which was developed by Loek Boerman using the wind tunnel of the Delft Technical University in The Netherlands. The wing is controlled by a Schleicher combined flap/aileron deflection (flaperon) which allows a high-drag flap deflection of + 50 degrees for steep approaches.
Examples of the ASG 32 series have been imported to Australasia, one being the self-launched motorised Wankel engined variant, the ASG 32Mi, which became VH-IFA (c/n 32015), obtained by the Australian Soaring Centre Corowa Pty Ltd, operated by the Murray Valley Soaring Club Ltd. Another ASG 32Mi became VH-UCJ (c/n 32058) to Global Weather Climate Analytics Pty Ltd of Gunnedah, NSW in September 2019.