Schleicher ASW 12

Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co · Germany · first flew 1965 · glider

The Schleicher ASW 12 is a German high-performance single-seat sailplane designed for competitive soaring, noted for its excellent glide ratio and refined aerodynamics.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Mid-mounted, tapered
E — Engines	1 × none, embedded-mounted
F — Fuselage	T-tail configuration with elegant fuselage lines
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

Unpowered sailplane — no engine
High-performance Standard Class glider with long tapered wings
T-tail configuration with elegant fuselage lines

A sleek single-seat unpowered sailplane with an 18-metre span, tapered wings with minimal taper at the root, and conventional tail surfaces; the refined fuselage cross-section distinguishes it from contemporary designs.

Specifications

The Schleicher ASW 12 has a length of 7.35 m (24 ft).
It has a wingspan of 18.3 m (60 ft).
Its maximum speed is 200 km/h (124 mph).
Typical crew: 1.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Developed by Alexander Schleicher in the mid-1960s, the ASW 12 was among the high-performance Open Class gliders of its era and achieved success in competition soaring. It helped establish the ASW series as a benchmark for high-performance sailplane design.

Variants

The ASW 12 was developed into subsequent ASW designs; the ASW 17 and later types continued the lineage with improved performance.

Where you'll see it

Operated worldwide by competitive glider pilots; found in soaring clubs and private ownership across Europe and internationally.

Related aircraft

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