Schleicher ASK 16
The ASK 16 was designed by Rudolf Kaiser for production by Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co of Furth, Germany. The aircraft is of welded tube, wood and fabric construction and has a low-set high-aspect-ratio wing.
| Schleicher ASK 16 | |
|---|---|
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| Schleicher ASK 16 at Speyer-Edry airfield, Germany, in June 2007 | |
| Role | Touring motor glider | 
| National origin | Germany | 
| Manufacturer | Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co | 
| Designer | Rudolf Kaiser | 
| First flight | 2 February 1971 | 
| Introduction | 1972 | 
| Status | in service | 
| Primary user | club and private flyers | 
| Number built | 44 | 
Seating is side-by-side for two persons under a fully transparent side-hinged canopy. The standard powerplant is a 72 hp (54 kW) Limbach L1700 driving a Hoffman variable-pitch propeller.[1]
The ASK 16 has a retractable tail-wheel undercarriage with the main units mounted under the wings and retracting inwards. It is fitted with dual controls to permit use in the primary training role.[1]
Production and operation
    
The prototype first flew on 2 February 1971 and a total of 44 aircraft were built for operation by clubs and private owners.[1] Most of the completed aircraft remained in active service in 2005, including examples flying in Germany, Ireland, Italy, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Specifications
    

Data from Airlife's World Aircraft,[1] Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1971-72[2]
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
 - Capacity: 290 kg (640 lb)
 - Length: 7.32 m (24 ft 0 in)
 - Wingspan: 16 m (52 ft 6 in)
 - Height: 2.1 m (6 ft 11 in)
 - Wing area: 19 m2 (200 sq ft)
 - Aspect ratio: 13.5
 - Empty weight: 460 kg (1,014 lb)
 - Max takeoff weight: 750 kg (1,653 lb)
 - Powerplant: 1 × Limbach SL.1700.EBI 4-cylinder air-cooled horizontally-opposed piston engine, 54 kW (72 hp)
 - Propellers: 2-bladed Hoffman variable-pitch propeller
 
Performance
- Cruise speed: 170 km/h (110 mph, 92 kn)
 - Stall speed: 70 km/h (43 mph, 38 kn)
 - Never exceed speed: 200 km/h (120 mph, 110 kn)
 - Maximum glide ratio: 25:1 power off
 - Rate of climb: 2.5 m/s (490 ft/min) powered
 - Rate of sink: 1 m/s (200 ft/min)
 - Wing loading: 36.8 kg/m2 (7.5 lb/sq ft)
 - Take-off run: 230 m (750 ft)
 - Landing run: 200 m (660 ft)
 
References
    
| Wikimedia Commons has media related to Schleicher ASK 16. | 
