the lak-17 is designed to meet the requirements of the utility category of jar-22. it is a single-seat mid-wing sailplane of composite construction with a t-tail and flaps, it has a retractable single-wheel main landing gear and has airbrakes on the upper wing surface. the airfoil is a combination of the lap92-130/15, at its roots, and the lap-92-150/15, at its tips. the lak-17 holds water ballast in tanks in the wing and fin. the lak-17a was certified in november 1994 by the lithuanian civil aviation authority. a new variant with an improved wing was designated the lak-17b. all variants have a wingspan but a wing with span increased to is available as an option; powered self-sustaining versions are also produced.