M.Hardy. Gliders & Sailplanes of the world

Schleicher AS-K 13

  This tandem two-seater training and high performance glider was developed from the earlier Ka 7, likewise designed by Rudolf Kaiser, and has similar swept forward single-spar wooden wings in the mid-set instead of high ДальшеMore>>> position, this lowering of the wings allowing a larger one-piece blown Mecaplex canopy, hinged to starboard, to be fitted giving better all-round visibility; other improvements over the Ka 7 include more comfortable seating and a sprung landing wheel for softer touchdowns, while the AS-K 13 has a better performance than the Ka 7. It first flew in prototype form in July 1966 and by January 1978 a total of approximately 700 AS-K 13s had been built, with production continuing. The type is also sold in kit form for amateur constructors. The wings have a forward sweep of 6° at the quarter-chord line and 5° of dihedral; the D-type leading edge torsion box is of plywood and the whole wing is fabric-covered. There are metal Schempp-Hirth air brakes above and below the wing, and the wooden ailerons are fabric-covered. The fuselage is a welded steel tube structure with spruce stringers and fabric-covered overall, except for the nose, which is of glassfibre; the turtle decking aft of the cockpit canopy is a plywood shell. The cantilever wooden tail unit is plywood-covered, except for the rear part of the rudder and elevators, which are fabric-covered, and there is a Flettner trim tab in the starboard elevator. Landing gear consists of a non-retractable sprung monowheel with a drum brake, mounted aft of the cg, with a skid under the forward fuselage and a steel tailskid. The pilots have glassfibre seat panels for greater comfort, and adjustable rudder pedals; there is provision for radio and oxygen, and an aero-tow release is fitted in the nose.


Span: 52 ft 6 in
Length: 26 ft 9 1/2 in
Height: 5 ft 3 in
Wing area: 188.4 sqft
Aspect ratio: 14.6
Empty weight: 640 lb
Max weight: 1,060 lb
Max speed: 124 mph (in smooth air)
Max aero-tow speed: 87 mph
Min sinking speed: 2.62 ft/sec at 43.5 mph
Best glide ratio: 28:1 at 56 mph