Akaflieg Karlsruhe AK-8
Single-seat German glider, 2003
Akaflieg Karlsruhe AK-8 | |
---|---|
![]() | |
the AK-8 | |
Role | Standard-class glider Type of aircraft |
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
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c3/AK8_beim_Start.jpg/220px-AK8_beim_Start.jpg)
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 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 winglets were built to improve the flying characteristic.[2]
Specifications
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)
See also
- List of gliders
References
Bibliography
- Jansen, Andre (2014). "kaflieg Karlsruhe AK-8: Im Zeichen der Ellipse". Aerokurier (in German). ISSN 0341-1281.
External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Akaflieg Karlsruhe AK-8.
- Akaflieg Karlsruhe (in German)