Schleicher ASK-21Mi
The Schleicher ASK 21 Mi takes one of the world's most widely used two-seat training gliders, the ASK 21, and adds a retractable engine on a pylon behind the wing so it can launch itself into the air without a tow plane or winch. First flown in December 2004, its self-contained fuel-injected engine lets a gliding club operate independently of ground-launch infrastructure and weather-sensitive tow schedules. Once airborne and at altitude, the pilot retracts the engine and continues soaring exactly like the pure glider version, making it a practical bridge between powered and unpowered flight training.
Did you know?
A glider that launches itself: the engine on a pylon behind the wing folds away once you are climbing, and the rest is pure soaring.
Specifications
| Length | 8.3 m (27 ft) |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | 17 m (56 ft) |
| Height | 1.5 m (5 ft) |
| Persons on board | 2 |
| Maximum take-off weight | 0.7 t |
| Range | 300 NM (556 km) |
| Rate of climb | 570 ft/min (2.9 m/s) |
| Take-off distance | 250 m (820 ft) |
| Fuel capacity | 26 l |
Curated by CatchFlights from manufacturer documents, ICAO Doc 8643 and reference works; values are left out where no source could confirm them. Sources are listed on our credits page.
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