Alexander Schleicher ASW 15
| ASW 15 | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| ASW 15B | |
| Role | Sailplane |
| National origin | Germany |
| Manufacturer | Schleicher |
| Designer | Gerhard Waibel |
| First flight | ca. 1968 |
| Status | Most still active with private users and few clubs. |
| Number built | ca.449 |
The ASW-15, designed in 1968 by Gerhard Waibel and built in series by Schleicher, is a glass composite sailplane, with shoulder-mounted wings and all-flying tailplane. The placement of its single tow-release is a compromise between the ideal placement for winching and aerotowing. The later ASW-15B had several improvements, including a tow-release placed on the plane of symmetry, an 11 cm taller rudder, a slightly larger main wheel, and the provision of a 90-litre water ballast system.
Rot due to fungus infestation was found in an early example, leading to an Airworthiness Directive. Starting with serial number 356, balsa wood was abandoned in the construction in favour of synthetic foam.
In 1971 and 1972, the American pilot Karl Striedieck set world out-and-return distance soaring records three times flying an ASW-15, including one flight of 1009.854 kilometers on October 15, 1972.
It was succeeded by the Schleicher ASW 19.
General characteristics
Performance
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