What is Schleicher ASK 21?
{|{{Infobox Aircraft Begin | name = ASK 21 | image = File:SCHLEICHER ASK 21 vr.jpg | caption = Schleicher ASK 21 }}{{Infobox Aircraft Type | type = [[FAI Two Seater Class|Two Seater-class]] or [[FAI Club Class|Club-class]] glider | national origin = Germany | manufacturer = [[Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co]] | designer = [[Rudolf Kaiser]] | first flight = February 1979 | introduced = 1979 | number built = Over 1000 | developed from = | variants with their own articles = }} |} The '''Schleicher ASK 21''' is a two-seat [[glider]] produced by [[Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co]]. The glider is made out of glass-reinforced plastic. It's designed for beginners. But it's also used for [[aerobatics]] and [[cross-country flying]]. == Design == The ASK 21 is designed by [[Rudolf Kaiser]]. He made it to replace the old [[Schleicher ASK 13|ASK 13]]. It's still in production to this day. Something interesting is the [[T-tail|T-shape tail]] that the glider has. Around a 1000 units where build. It is the first glass-reinforced plastic glider made by [[Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co|Schleicher]]. It first flew in February of 1979. In 2018 a new glider got introduced, the Schleicher ASK 21B. == Variants == ; ASK 21 : Original glider ; ASK 21 Mi : Self-launching glider ; Vanguard TX.1 : The ASK-21 acquired by the UK Ministry of Defence for use by the Air Cadet organisations. === ASK 21B === Improved version of the original ASK 21. New features: automatic control connections, internal spin ballast, revised canopy, more effective ailerons. == Specifications (ASK 21) == '''General characteristics''' * '''Crew:''' 2 * '''Length:''' 8.35 m (27 ft 5 in) * '''Wingspan:''' 17 m (55 ft 9 in) * '''Height:''' 1.55 m (5 ft 1 in) * '''Wing area:''' 17.95 m<sup>2</sup> (193.2 sq ft) * '''Aspect ratio:''' 16:1 * '''Airfoil:''' FX S02-196 / FX 60-126 * '''Empty weight:''' 360 kg (794 lb) * '''Max takeoff weight:''' 600 kg (1,323 lb) '''Performance''' * '''Stall speed:''' 65 km/h (40 mph, 35 kn) * '''Never exceed speed:''' 280 km/