Schleicher Ka 2

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Schleicher Ka 2
Ka 2b after putting on
Type: Glider in timber
Design country:

Germany Federal RepublicFederal Republic of Germany BR Germany

Manufacturer:

Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co

First flight:

1953

Production time:

1953-1957

Number of pieces:

~ 100

The Schleicher Ka 2 "Rhönschwalbe" is a two-seater glider from 1952 and the forerunner of the Ka 2b. It has a span of 15 m and a plywood-clad hull in shell construction. Parts of the wing and the rudder are covered with fabric. The gliding index is 76 (Ka 2b = 78). After Ka 1, it is the second design by Rudolf Kaiser for Alexander Schleicher glider construction in Poppenhausen on the Wasserkuppe in the Rhön . The Ka 2 has a set-up mass of 254 kg and a maximum take-off mass of 460 kg, making it an unusually light two-seater. With a glide ratio of 1:26, it is relatively good for performance flight for the time of its creation, but also suitable for training on double controls. This model was built 38 times by Schleicher between 1953 and 1955 and four more copies were built under license.

Ka 2b (D-5596) in Unterwössen at the start

The Schleicher Ka 2b "Rhönschwalbe" is the further development of the Schleicher Ka 2 "Rhönschwalbe", like its predecessor, a design by Rudolf Kaiser and 71 units were built between 1955 and 1962. It was created by increasing the wingspan from 15 m to 16 m from Ka 2. In addition, the fuselage length was lengthened by 18 cm to 8.15 m. The resulting somewhat better flight performance benefited the cross-country flyer. The minimum speed fell from 65 km / h to 62 km / h, which means that even weaker updrafts can be better used and the glide ratio improved to 1:27, which makes it easier to reach the next thermal .

use

On January 24, 1959 Dieter Schmitt reached the altitude record (6907 m) in Fayence in a wave flight with the glider Ka 2b and on the same day the absolute altitude record of 7770 m for Germany in the two-seater class. The course record for Germany followed in 1964, which was 424.5 km at the time. The current course record (with the Ka 2b) is 684 km and was flown by Uli Schwenk on May 28, 2012 with his 81-year-old father Peter as co-pilot.

Technical specifications

Parameter Ka 2 Ka 2b
crew 1 + 1
span 15 m 16 m
Wing area 16.80 m² 17.5 m²
Wing extension 13.4 14.63
Hull length 8.15 m
Torso height 1.70 m
Cockpit width 0.70 m
Wing profile similar to Gö 533 and Gö 532
Empty weight with minimum equipment approx. 254 kg 278 kg
Max. Takeoff mass 460 kg 480 kg
Wing loading 27.4 kg / m² 27.1 kg / m²
Front cockpit payload Max. 100 kg
Rear cockpit payload Max. 100 kg
Top speed 170 km / h
Minimum speed 65 km / h 62 km / h
Dive brakes exit up to 170 km / h
Slightest sinking 0.96 m / s 0.8 m / s
Glide ratio 24 at 87 km / h 27 at 80 km / h

See also

literature

  • Peter F. Seliger: Rhön-Adler. 75 years of Alexander Schleicher glider construction. Publisher RG Fischer, Frankfurt a. M. 2003.
  • Richard and Monique Ferrière: Les Planeurs et Motoplaneurs d 'Alexander Schleicher 1951–1981. Motorbuch-Verlag, Stuttgart 1988, ISBN 3613011905 .

Web links

Commons : Schleicher Ka 2  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Honorary member of the BWLV ( Memento from November 17, 2004 in the Internet Archive ), † June 8, 2013
  2. ^ Association chronicle FSG Malsch
  3. ↑ Flight information on Uli Schwenk's flight on May 28, 2012 at www.onlinecontest.org