The Schleicher AS 33 is a German glider manufactured by Alexander Schleicher.[1] The prototype had its maiden flight from Huhnrain Airport, Poppenhausen near Frankfurt on 23 January 2020.[2][3][4] The design can be flown in the 18 metre class or in the 15 metre class.[2]
| AS 33 | |
|---|---|
| Role | 15 metre-class and 18 metre-class Type of aircraft |
| National origin | Germany |
| Manufacturer | Schleicher |
| First flight | 23 January 2020 |
The AS 33 is based upon the ASG 29, with a totally new wing with an 18 m (59 ft) span and 10 m2 (110 sq ft) area, which optimizes the airflow around the fuselage/wing transition as well as at the wingtips. The AS 33 is a single-seat, mid-wing sailplane of composite construction, with a T-tail.[2] To fly in the FAI 15m class, a second pair of outer wings is available. The separation point for the outer wings is at 5.1m along the span.[5]
The glider has upward extending three-tier air-brakes and independently switchable electrical valves for the water ballast tanks in the inner and outer wings. The main wheel has a disc brake. The main wheel and the tail-wheel are retractable.[5]
Schleicher no longer includes the designer's initial in the glider's designation.[6]
Data from Manufacturer[2]
General characteristics
Schleicher gliders | |
|---|---|
| Wooden construction pre-World War II | |
| Wooden construction (Rudolf Kaiser) | |
| GRP construction (Rudolf Kaiser) | |
| GRP construction (Gerhard Waibel) | |
| GRP construction (Martin Heide) | |
| GRP construction (Michael Greiner) | |
| GRP construction - unspecified designer | |