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
[edit]
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
[edit]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
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ AK-8 Erstflug Archived 2010-02-25 at the Wayback Machine bei akaflieg-karlsruhe.de
- ^ "AK-8" (in German). 11 June 2015. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
Bibliography
[edit]- Jansen, Andre (2014). "kaflieg Karlsruhe AK-8: Im Zeichen der Ellipse". Aerokurier (in German). ISSN 0341-1281.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Akaflieg Karlsruhe AK-8.
- Akaflieg Karlsruhe (in German)