Schleicher K 7
The Schleicher K 7 Rhönadler is a two-seater, designed as a shoulder -wing monoplane of mixed construction glider for beginners training. The wingspan is 16 m. Although now after the Schleicher ASK 13 ASK 21 is the second generation successor in use, the K 7 is still in many clubs use in the novice training and is also often flown by oldtimer friends.
The 7 K was the successor of the Schleicher Ka 4 Rhönlerche, however - apart from the body - identical in construction with the Ka 2b. It has the same negative swept wings, but has instead of the plywood -covered fuselage a lattice fuselage of steel tube. The advantage is - especially in the beginner training - the robustness and ease of repair capability of this design. However, the aerodynamically favorable hull shape deteriorates best glide ratio 1:25 (compared to 1:27 in the Ka 2b). Of the 511 built K 7 currently still 140 copies alone are registered in Germany.