Schleicher ASK 14

ASK 14
Role Motor glider
Manufacturer Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co
Designer Rudolf Kaiser
Number built 66
Developed from Schleicher Ka 6E
ASK 14 at Wallduern Airfield/Germany
ASK 14 partially disassembled for maintenance
ASK 14 in Australia
British ASK 14

The Schleicher ASK 14 is a West German low-wing, single-seat motor glider that was designed by Rudolf Kaiser and produced by Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co.[1][2]

The aircraft is often referred to as the Schleicher AS-K 14 or the Schleicher ASK-14, the AS for Alexander Schleicher and the K for Kaiser. The US Federal Aviation Administration designates the aircraft as the Schleicher ASK-14, while Transport Canada and the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority call it the Schleicher ASK 14.[1][2][3][4][5]

Design and development

The ASK 14 was developed as a low-wing motorized version of the Schleicher Ka 6E. The powerplant is a 19 kW (25 hp) Hirth F10 K19 four-cylinder, two-stroke engine, made by Hirth and driving a fully feathering propeller.[1][2]

The aircraft is built from wood and covered with doped aircraft fabric covering. The 14.4 m (47.2 ft) span wing employs a NACA 63-618 airfoil at the wing root transitioning to a NACA 63-615 section at the wing tip and features spoilers. The monowheel landing gear is retractable. The cockpit is covered by a bubble canopy that gives all-around visibility.[1][2]

Due to its Ka 6E heritage the handling of the ASK 14 was described by Soaring Magazine in 1983 as "superb".[2]

The ASK 14 was never type certified and aircraft registered in the United States were in the Experimental - Racing/Exhibition category. ASK 14s in Canada are in the category CAR Standard 507.03(5)(a) Aircraft Held a Flight Permit - Private Aircraft prior 01/89. Those in the UK have an EASA Certificate of Airworthiness.[3][4][5]

Operational history

ASK 14s finished second, third and fourth in the single-place class at the first international motorglider competition, that was held at Burg Feuerstein, West Germany in 1970.[1]

In 1971 former Soaring Magazine editor Bennett Rogers set the first United States motorgliding record in an ASK 14, flying 330.5 km (205 mi) out-and-return from Rosamond, California, US.[2]

In July 2011 there were still eight ASK 14s registered with the FAA in the US, two with the UK Civil Aviation Authority and one registered with Transport Canada.[3][4][5]

Specifications (ASK 14)

Data from Sailplane Directory and Soaring[1][2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Wingspan: 14.4 m (47 ft 3 in)
  • Wing area: 12.68 m2 (136.5 sq ft)
  • Aspect ratio: 16.8:1
  • Airfoil: root: NACA 63-618, tip: NACA 63-615
  • Empty weight: 245 kg (540 lb)
  • Gross weight: 360 kg (794 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Hirth F10 K19 four cylinder, two-stroke, 19 kW (25 hp)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed fully feathering

Performance

  • Maximum glide ratio: 29:1 at 81 km/h (50 mph)
  • Rate of sink: 0.75 m/s (148 ft/min) at 72 km/h (45 mph)
  • Wing loading: 28.6 kg/m2 (5.9 lb/sq ft)

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Activate Media (2006). "ASK-14 Schleicher". Archived from the original on 29 August 2012. Retrieved 24 July 2011.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Said, Bob: 1983 Sailplane Directory, Soaring Magazine, page 131. Soaring Society of America, November 1983. USPS 499-920
  3. ^ a b c Federal Aviation Administration (July 2011). "Make / Model Inquiry Results - ASK 14". Retrieved 24 July 2011.
  4. ^ a b c Transport Canada (July 2011). "Canadian Civil Aircraft Register". Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 24 July 2011.
  5. ^ a b c Civil Aviation Authority (United Kingdom) (July 2011). "GINFO Search Results Summary". Retrieved 24 July 2011.

Media related to Schleicher ASK 14 at Wikimedia Commons