Akaflieg Karlsruhe AK-8
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| Akaflieg Karlsruhe AK-8 | |
|---|---|
| |
| the AK-8 | |
| Role | Standard-class glider |
| National origin | Germany |
| Manufacturer | Akaflieg Karlsruhe |
| First flight | August 2003[1] |
| Number built | 1 |
The AK-8 is a single-seat FAI-Standard Class sailplane, designed and built in Germany by members of Akaflieg Karlsruhe which can be distinguished by its elliptical leading edge.
Design and development
Made of synthetic materials, such as aramid fibre, carbon fibre and glass-fibre with cast aluminium alloy ribs, the AK-8 wing features an elliptical wing leading edge. The fuselage is derived from that of the DG-600M.
The first flight of the AK-8 took place in 2003, but a field landing accident caused severe damage to the left wing. After the left wing was rebuilt, the AK-8 flew again in 2009. In 2014 new outer wings with wing-lets were built to improve the flying characteristic.[2]
Specification (AK-8)
General characteristics
- Length: 6.82 m (22 ft 5 in)
- Wingspan: 15 m (49 ft 3 in)
- Wing area: 9.75 m2 (104.9 sq ft)
- Empty weight: 232.8 kg (513 lb)
- Gross weight: 450 kg (992 lb)
Performance
- Never exceed speed: 270 km/h (170 mph, 150 kn)
Bibliography
- Jansen, Andre (2014). "kaflieg Karlsruhe AK-8: Im Zeichen der Ellipse". Aerokurier (in German). ISSN 0341-1281.
References
- ^ AK-8 Erstflug bei akaflieg-karlsruhe.de
- ^ "AK-8" (in German). 11 June 2015. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
External links