M.Hardy. Gliders & Sailplanes of the world

Akaflieg Karlsruhe AK 2

  Designed by the Akademische Fliegergruppe of Karlsruhe University, this single-seater motor glider is based upon the earlier and similar AK 1, which differed from the AK 2 in having a four-cylinder horizontally-opposed ДальшеMore>>> engine driving a two-blade pusher propeller and retractable into the fuselage behind the cockpit when not in use. The AK 1 also had a slightly shorter nose and a low-set tailplane instead of the T-tail of the AK 2. The AK 2 is powered by a 55hp Hirth O-28 two-cylinder two-stroke engine buried in the fuselage behind the cockpit and driving a two-blade tractor propeller mounted on an extension shaft; this pivots downward to retract into the fuselage over the engine when not in use. The prototype AK 2 was under construction during 1979, but due to some difficulties with the engine and propeller transmission had not yet made its first flight at the time of writing. Of glassfibre reinforced plastics construction, the AK 2 has cantilever mid-set wings with air brakes in the upper surfaces as well as trailing edge flaps. There is a retractable monowheel mounted forward of the engine, and the tailwheel is semi-recessed. The pilot sits in a semi-reclining position under a flush-fitting canopy.


Span: 65 ft 7 1/2 in
Length: 24 ft 11 1/4 in
Height: 5 ft 5 3/4 in
Wing area: 156.1 sqft
Aspect ratio: 27.6
Max weight: 1,278 lb
Best glide ratio: 47:1 at 62 mph