Schleicher ASH 31

The ASH 31 is a single seat Open Class glider which can also be flown in the 18 metre class configuration.

ASH 31
Schleicher ASH 31 Mi during its first flight
Role Open-class sailplane
National origin Germany
Manufacturer Schleicher
Designer Martin Heide
First flight 21 April 2009[1]
Number built 100 as of 2013[2]
External image
ASH 31 Mi taking off with powerplant extended

Design and development

The ASH 31 was announced at the end of 2008 by Alexander Schleicher. The glider was developed as a replacement for the ASH 26.[3] The self-launching Mi version is powered by a 41 kW (55 hp) Wankel engine.[4]

The improvements over the ASH 26 and ASG 29 are given as:

  • Extended ailerons
  • Redesigned wing structure

Variants
ASH 31
Production aircraft with a wingspan of either 18-metres or 21-metres.
ASH 31 Mi
Production aircraft with a retractable engine and propeller for self-launching. It can be flown with a wingspan of either 18-metres or 21-metres.

Specifications (21-metre)

Data from Schleicher.[5]

General characteristics

  • Crew: One
  • Capacity:
    • 115 kg (253 lb) max. pilot weight
    • 140 kg (308 lb) max. water ballast in the wing
  • Length: 7.07 m (23 ft 2 in)
  • Wingspan: 21 m (68 ft 11 in) including winglets
  • Wing area: 13.2 m2 (142 sq ft)
  • Aspect ratio: 33.5
  • Empty weight: 430 kg (948 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 700 kg (1,543 lb)
  • Fuel capacity:
    • 16 l in fuselage fuel tank
    • 46 l with 2 wing fuel tanks
  • Powerplant: 1 × Austro Engine IAE 50R-AA single rotor Wankel engine, 41 kW (55 hp) [6]
  • Propellers: 2-bladed, 1.55 m (5 ft 1 in) diameter (retractable)

Performance

  • Rate of climb: 4 m/s (790 ft/min)
  • Lift-to-drag: 56[7]
  • Wing loading: 53.0 kg/m2 (10.8 lb/sq ft) max

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

Notes
  1. Maiden flight of the new ASH 31 Mi 2009.
  2. ASH 31 Mi serial number 100 delivered 2013.
  3. ASH 31 Mi Design Description 2014.
  4. ASH 31 Mi Brochure 2011.
  5. ASH 31 Mi Technical Data 2014.
  6. AE50R Technical Data Sheet 2010.
  7. ASH 31 Mi Aerofly

References
  • "Colour brochure ASH 31 Mi (german / english)" (PDF). Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
  • "ASH 31 Mi Technical Data". Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
  • "ASH 31 Mi Design Description". Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
  • "Maiden flight of the new ASH 31 Mi". Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau. April 2009. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
  • "ASH 31 Mi serial number 100 delivered". Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau. November 2013. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
  • "Eastern Sailplane Catalog ASH 31 Mi". Eastern Sailplane, Inc. January 2014. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
  • "AE50R Technical Data Sheet" (PDF). Austro Engine GmbH. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
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