Photograph:
Schleicher ASK 21 VH-NKC (c/n 21830) at Camden, NSW in 2012 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
Germany
Description:
Two-seat self-launched glider
Power Plant:
One 41 kw (55 hp) Diamond IAE R50-AA electronic dual ignition and fuel injection 294 cc (17.9 cub in) liquid and forced-air cooling Wankel-type rotary engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 17 m (55 ft 9 in)
- Length: 8.35 m (27 ft 5 in)
- Height: 1.55 m (5 ft 1 in)
- Wing area: 17.95 m² (193.21 sq ft)
- Max speed: 280 km/h (174 mph)
- Max glide ratio: 34:1
- Stalling speed: 65 km/h (40 mph)
- Empty weight: 360 kg (794 lb)
- Loaded weight: 600 kg (1,323 lb)
History:
The ASK 21 was a mid-wing glider with a T-tail designed for pilot instruction but also aimed at the market for cross-country performance and aerobatics. It was designed by Rudolf Kaiser to replace the ASK 13. It was a full-GRP two-seater machine, the prototype flying for the first time on 6 February 1979, production commencing in 1979 and by late 2012 more than 900 examples having been completed in two variants, the ASK 21 glider and the ASK 21Mi, which was a self-launched machine with a Diamond IAE R50-AA rotary engine 294 cc (17.9 cub in) with liquid cooling plus forced air cooling for the rotor core, lubrication being by a metered oil pump directly to the main bearing rotor tips with a partial recovery system. It had twin spark plugs, an electric starter and a 14 V – 18 A alternator, and provided 41 kw (55 hp) at 7,750 rpm.
Seating was for two in tandem with dual controls, with adjustable rudder pedals and seatbacks. The fuselage was of tubular sandwich. The two-piece cantilever wing was of single spar construction without flaps and was fitted with Schempp-Hirth style spoilers. The wingtips curved downwards and were fitted with skids so a wing walker was not required. The undercarriage consisted of fixed wheels, the main wheel behind the centre of gravity, and was fitted with a hydraulically operated disc brake.
A number of examples of both the glider and self-launched variant have been registered in this region. VH-NKC (c/n 21830) owned by the Southern Cross Gliding Club Inc based at Camden, NSW was first registered on 26 March 2008.