Schleicher ASH 31

Design and development

The ASH 31 was announced at the end of 2008 by Alexander Schleicher. The glider was developed as a replacement for the ASH 26. The self-launching Mi version is powered by a 41 kW (55 hp) Wankel engine.

The improvements over the ASH 26 and ASG 29 are given as:

Extended ailerons

Redesigned wing structure

Variants

ASH 31

Production aircraft with 18-metre or 21-metre wingspan.

ASH 31 Mi

The motor-glider production aircraft with 18-metre or 21-metre wingspan, capable of self launching with an engine and retractable propeller.

Specifications (21-metre)

Data from Schleicher.

General characteristics

Crew: One

Capacity:

115 kg (253 lb) max. pilot weight

140 kg (308 lb) max. water ballast in wing

Length: 7.07 m (23 ft 2 in)

Wingspan: 21 m (68 ft 11 in) including winglets

Wing area: 13.2 m² (142 sq ft)

Aspect ratio: 33.5

Empty weight: 430 kg (948 lb)

Max takeoff weight: 700 kg (1,543 lb)

Fuel capacity:

16 l in fuselage fuel tank

46 l with 2 wing fuel tanks

Powerplant: 1 × Austro Engine IAE 50R-AA single rotor Wankel engine, 41 kW (55 hp)

Propellers: 2-bladed, 1.55 m (5 ft 1 in) diameter (retractable)

Performance

Rate of climb: 4 m/s (790 ft/min)

Lift-to-drag: 56

Wing loading: 53.0 kg/m² (10.9 lb/sq ft) max