Alexander Schleicher ASW 20
| ASW 20 | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Role | 15 metre or Sports Class sailplane |
| National origin | Germany |
| Manufacturer |
Schleicher Centrair (under licence) |
| Designer | Gerhard Waibel |
| First flight | 1977 |
| Number built | 905 |
The ASW 20 is an FAI 15 metre Class glider designed by Gerhard Waibel and built by Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Its fuselage is nearly identical to the ASW19's, mated to newly designed wings for the 15 metre Class. The prototype first flew in 1977. It proved to be a highly successful glider, winning several World Championships, and was still being flown at this level up to 1995. Developments along its production life included winglets, pneumatic turbulators, and wingtip extensions. It remained in production until 1990, when it was superseded by the ASW27. 765 were built by Schleicher and a further 140 were made under license by Centrair in France.
The ASW20 first flew in 1977 and was an instant success, winning numerous world and national championships. Dick Johnson reported that the ASW20 was the first 15 m glider to demonstrate a measured a L/D in excess of 40/1. Roy McMaster, Karl Striedieck and John Seymour won jointly, with others, the world triangle distance record of 1,435 km (892 mi) in 1994 in an ASW20B. ASW20s won 2nd and 3rd places in the FAI 15 metre Class at the 1983 World Championships at Hobbs, NM. ASW20s are still flown in FAI 15 metre Class at Regional and National levels, and are also flown in Sports Class in the United States.
Winch launch of an ASW-20 CL.
ASW-20 during final approach.
ASW-20 landing.
Centrair-built ASW 20 FP in 1980.
The ASW20 is constructed from glass-reinforced plastic. It features trailing edge flaps which interconnect with the ailerons and allow the entire trailing edge to operate as a flap between -9 and +5 degrees. The flaps also act as ailerons, but deflect only half of the aileron amount. Schempp-Hirth type airbrakes are provided on the upper wing surface.
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