Schleicher K7
| K7 | |
|---|---|
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| Role | Glider |
| National origin | West Germany |
| Manufacturer | Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co |
| Designer | Rudolf Kaiser |
| Introduction | 1960 |
| Status | Production completed |
| Number built | 550 |
The Schleicher K7 is a West German high-wing, two-seat, glider that was designed by Rudolf Kaiser and produced by Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co.[1][2]
Often referred to as the Ka-7 or K-7, the US Federal Aviation Administration type certificate officially designates it as the K7.[1][2][3]
Design and development
The K7 was intended as a two-place trainer with good performance, a rare combination in trainers of its time.[1][2]
The K7 is constructed with a welded steel tube fuselage, covered in doped aircraft fabric covering. The wing is a wooden structure with a doped fabric covering and employs a Goettingen 533 (16%) airfoil at the wing root, transitioning to a Goettingen 533 (14%) section at the wing tip. The wing features powerful dive brakes. The landing gear is a fixed monowheel. The earlier Ka-2 variant has a plywood monocoque fuselage.[1][2][3][4]
After 550 had been built, the K7 was superseded in production by the Schleicher ASK 13.[1][2]
The K7 can be converted into a K7/13 with a conversion kit to lower the wing to the mid-wing position and installation of a one-piece canopy, rendering the aircraft similar to the ASK-13.[1]
Operational history
A K7 was flown to a new world multi-place glider speed record for flight around a 500 km (311 mi) triangle of 84 km/h (52 mph) in 1964 in South Africa.[1][2]
Specifications (K7)
Data from Sailplane Directory, Soaring and FAA Type Certificate 7g3[1][2][3]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Capacity: one passenger
- Wingspan: 16.0 m (52 ft 6 in)
- Wing area: 17.56 m2 (189.0 sq ft)
- Aspect ratio: 14.6:1
- Airfoil: root: Goettingen 533 (16%), tip: Goettingen 533 (14%)
- Empty weight: 280 kg (617 lb)
- Gross weight: 480 kg (1,058 lb)
Performance
- Never exceed speed: 170 km/h; 106 mph (92 kn)
- Maximum glide ratio: 26:1 at 80 km/h (50 mph)
- Rate of sink: 0.70 m/s (138 ft/min) at 68 km/h (42 mph)
- Wing loading: 133.5 kg/m² (27.34 lb/sq ft)
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Activate Media (2006). "Ka-7 Schleicher". Retrieved 23 July 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Said, Bob: 1983 Sailplane Directory, Soaring Magazine, page 105, Soaring Society of America November 1983. USPS 499-920
- ^ a b c d e Federal Aviation Administration (February 1961). "Type Certificate Data Sheet No. 7g3". Retrieved 23 July 2011.
- ^ Lednicer, David (2010). "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". Retrieved 23 July 2011.
External links
Media related to K 7 at Wikimedia Commons
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