Single-seat German motor glider, 2009
| ASH 31 |
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 Schleicher ASH 31 Mi during its first flight |
| General information |
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| Type | Open-class sailplane |
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| National origin | Germany |
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| Manufacturer | Schleicher |
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| Designer | Martin Heide |
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| Number built | 100 as of 2013[1] |
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| History |
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| First flight | 21 April 2009[2] |
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TheASH 31 is a single seatOpen Classglider which can also be flown in the18 metre class configuration.
Design and development
[edit]The ASH 31 was announced at the end of 2008 byAlexander Schleicher. The glider was developed as a replacement for theASH 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
- 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)
[edit]Data fromSchleicher.[5]
General characteristics
- Crew: One
- Capacity:
- 115 kg (254 lb) max. pilot weight
- 140 kg (310 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 (3.5 imp gal; 4.2 US gal) in fuselage fuel tank
- 46 L (10 imp gal; 12 US gal) with 2 wing fuel tanks
- Powerplant: 1 ×Austro EngineIAE 50R-AA single rotorWankel 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
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
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