ASK 21 |  |
The ASK 21 is a modern fiberglass reinforced two-seater glider with a mid-set wing and a mass balanced T-tail. The ASK 21 is designed primarily for beginner instruction, but is also suitable for cross-country flying and aerobatic instruction.
The thick wing profile gives good low-speed characteristics (nominal stall-speed approximately 65 km/h or 35 knots). The flight characteristics can be said to be extremely good-natured. The ASK-21 stalls in the most benign manner: from level flight, when speed is progressively reduced, the sailplane vibrates, warning the pilot of the approaching stall. In this condition the nose of the sailplane does not even drop, but the variometer indicates a high rate of descent and the sailplane keeps vibrating and buffeting. By releasing back stick pressure normal flight is resumed. It is possible to stall the sailplane and make the nose drop decisively only from a climb attitude: from level flight, when keeping the sailplane in a 10 to 20 degree climbing attitude it will slow down and then the nose will pitch down to naturally resume normal flight.
General characteristics
- Crew: Two
- Length: 8.35 m (27 ft 5 in)
- Wingspan: 17.00 m (55 ft 9 in)
- Height: 1.55 m (5 ft 1 in)
- Wing area: 18.0 m² (194 ft²)
- Aspect ratio: 16
- Wing profile: FX S02-196 / FX 60-126
- Empty weight: ca. 360 kg (790 lb)
- Gross weight: 600 kg (1,320 lb)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 280 km/h (175 mph)
- Maximum glide ratio: (single crew) 33.5
- Rate of sink: 0.65 m/s (128 ft/min)
