Schleicher ASK 18
The ASK 18 is the last aircraft build from the aircraft manufacturer Schleicher. It is a Club Class glider and was positioned as the successor to the Ka 6E.
History
When designed by Rudolf Kaiser ASK 18 was published in 1974, the era of mixed construction was already completed. The Astir appeared simultaneously and Mistral in composite design were tough opponents, so that a total of only 48 copies of the ASK 18 were built, including an ASK 18B ( as the export version for Finland) reduced with a 15 m span.
Construction
The ASK 18 received extended by 16 m areas of the Ka 6E and a fabric-covered hull in steel tube design, which is similar to the Ka -8 fuselage, but much flatter and elegant looks and how the Ka 6E has a wheel in front of the center of gravity and no skid required. The fixed main wheel is braked and the fuselage nose is lined with a fiberglass shell. The elevator comes from the Ka 6E and is damped, the rudder is in turn modeled on the Ka 10.
Use
The cockpit is unusually spacious and also for large and strong pilots very suitable. With the very forgiving flight characteristics and performance - comparable to the Ka 6E - it is very pleasant to fly and therefore suitable for entry into the haul flight. Today, the ASK 18 is used as a robust and easy to fly aircraft in clubs which still train on ASK 13. Well-preserved ASK achieve 18 on the used market comparatively high prices.