title: Schleicher ASH 31
text: # Schleicher ASH 31
  
  The ASH 31 is a single seat Open Class glider which can also be flown in the 18 metre class configuration.
  
  ## Design and development
  
  The ASH 31 was announced at the end of 2008 by Alexander Schleicher. The glider was developed as a replacement for the ASH 26. The self-launching Mi version is powered by a 41 kW (55 hp) Wankel engine.
  
  The improvements over the ASH 26 and ASG 29 are given as:
  
  * Extended ailerons
  * Redesigned wing structure
  
  ## Variants
  
  ### ASH 31
  
      Production aircraft with a wingspan of either 18-metres or 21-metres.
  
  ### ASH 31 Mi
  
      Production aircraft with a retractable engine and propeller for self-launching. It can be flown with a wingspan of either 18-metres or 21-metres.
  
  ## Specifications (21-metre)
  
  Data from Schleicher.
  
  General characteristics
  
  * Crew: One
  * Capacity:
     * 115 kg (254 lb) max. pilot weight
     * 140 kg (310 lb) max. water ballast in the wing
  * Length: 7.07 m (23 ft 2 in)
  * Wingspan: 21 m (68 ft 11 in) including winglets
  * Wing area: 13.2 $m^2$ (142 sq ft)
  * Aspect ratio: 33.5
  * Empty weight: 430 kg (948 lb)
  * Max takeoff weight: 700 kg (1,543 lb)
  * Fuel capacity:
     * 16 L (3.5 imp gal; 4.2 US gal) in fuselage fuel tank
     * 46 L (10 imp gal; 12 US gal) with 2 wing fuel tanks
  * Powerplant: 1 × Austro Engine IAE 50R-AA single rotor Wankel engine, 41 kW (55 hp)
  * Propellers: 2-bladed, 1.55 m (5 ft 1 in) diameter (retractable)
  
  Performance
  
  * Rate of climb: 4 m/s (790 ft/min)
  * Lift-to-drag: 56
  * Wing loading: 53.0 $kg/m^2$ (10.8 lb/sq ft) max
  