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ASW 27
Role	15 metre-class sailplane
National origin	Germany
Manufacturer	Schleicher
Designed by	Gerhard Waibel
First flight	1995
Number built	236 by 2005

The ASW 27 is a 15 metre Class glider built of modern fibre reinforced composites, which first flew in 1995 and was certified in 1997. The manufacturer of the ASW 27 is Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. The 'W' indicates this is a design of the influential and prolific German designer Gerhard Waibel.

The ASW 27 has plain flaps, winglets, a retractable undercarriage and a water ballast system. The structure is a complex composite of carbon, aramid and polyethylene fibre reinforced plastic. This permits a light structure with the strength to carry large amounts of water ballast, thus permitting the widest possible range of wing loadings for weak and strong soaring weather. The strong fuselage was tested for crash protection by dropping one from a crane.

The winglets were standard equipment from the beginning but were later enlarged in the ASW-27B development. The 'B' also has tanks to hold water ballast rather than bags.

The ASW 27 superseded the ASW 20 in the manufacturer's production line. It does not have a version with wing extensions for 18 metres. This was a design decision to pursue an uncompromised 15 metre racer, as "future engine retrofits or later wingspan increases were specifically ruled out".

The recent introduction of the ASG 29 has given the ASW 27 a stablemate that can compete in the same class, although the 29 is intended to fly primarily with an 18 metre span and can be motorised.

[edit] Specifications

General characteristics

Crew: One
Capacity: 190 kg (418 lb) water ballast
Length: 6.55 m (21 ft 6 in)
Wingspan: 15.00 m (49 ft 3 in)
Height: 1.3 m (4 ft 3 in)
Wing area: 9.0 m² (97 ft²)
Aspect ratio: 25
Wing profile: DU 89-134/14, DU 94-086 M4
Empty weight: 245 kg (539 lb)
Gross weight: 500 kg (1,100 lb)

Performance

Maximum speed: 285 km/h (178 mph)
Maximum glide ratio: 48
Rate of sink: 0.58 m/s (102 ft/min)

[edit] References

Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co
Sailplane Directory
Simons M, Segelflugzeuge 1965-2000, Equip, 2004