NEWS
FROM THE
SCHLEICHER FACTORY
By Bernard Eckey AUSTRALASIA’S SCHLEICHER AGENT
ASH 30 Mi prototype in the workshop.
Despite the well known reduction in demand for new gliders, the Schleicher factory is as busy as ever. Strong demand for the ASG 29 and the new ASH 31 Mi guarantees a high workload for the foreseeable future. Currently almost two aircraft per week are being dispatched from the Poppenhausen factory in Germany. ASG 29 Michael Greiner is Schleicher’s recent design recruit and can’t believe the enormous success of his first design. ASG 29 pilots are occupying the podium of almost all major competitions. The first eight places of the French Nationals went to ASG 29 pilots and a similar picture emerged at the British championship where seven ASG 29 pilots finished in the top ten. The last few World championships and numerous National championships were won by pilots flying the ASG 29 – often with unprecedented margins. No wonder the demand for this glider remains very strong indeed. The combination of a recent design upgrade and a new wing construction method has reduced the shrinkage in the area of the wing spar to an absolute minimum. Extensive tests, measurements and comparisons have confirmed that the new design has resulted in wing stability second to none. As a contribution to safety, Schleicher is now offering anti collision lights in the leading edge of the fin. This location avoids any aerodynamic penalties and still provides a powerful visual warning, especially in critical near head-on situations. The intensity of the latest generation of LED lights has now reached a point where they can be compared to conventional aircraft strobe lights, despite their comparatively low power consumption. In conjunction with
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February 2011
optionally available solar panels, this new technology can now make a real contribution to enhanced safety in our sport.
ASH 31 Mi The new self-launching ASH 31 Mi is well on its way to matching the popularity of the ASG 29. This glider not only offers total independence but it also provides unrivalled flexibility, allowing pilots to compete in two different classes. In the standard 18 m version the glider can be entered in any 18 m competition but after the fitting of longer outer wing panels the wingspan is extended to 21 metres. This makes it possible to compete successfully even in open class. In fact, early European competition results have confirmed that the ASH 31 Mi can match any open class gliders currently on the market. This is quite remarkable given that the glider has six or even seven metres less wingspan. The advantages in terms of ground handling are obvious but the agility of the ASH 31 and the proven performance of the new wing section even allows this new aircraft to compete with much larger gliders on equal terms. It features the same outer wings that have proven so successful on the 15 metre and 18 metre version of the ASG 29 and a very powerful fuel injected rotary engine. Several fast 1000 km flights have already been performed in central Europe. Production is sold out two years in advance but several Schleicher agents have booked slots on the production line and can offer much shorter deliveries.
ASH 30 Mi Late last year the new open class two-seater was finally assembled for the first time. It is called ASH 30 Mi and by the time this article goes to press it will have undergone its maiden flight. Compared to the ASH 25 the cockpit is significantly roomier and very comfortable in both front and rear seat - even for the tallest of pilots. Forward visibility is further improved by an enlarged
