LAK-17A
Sportinė Aviacija ir Ko (LAK) · Lithuania · first flew 2002 · glider
The LAK-17A is a Lithuanian Standard-class single-seat glider produced by Sportinė Aviacija ir Ko, offering competitive performance for club and contest soaring in the 18-metre span category.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × none, embedded-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Slim pod-and-boom fuselage with reclined single-seat cockpit |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Very long tapered sailplane wings of 18 m span
- Slim pod-and-boom fuselage with reclined single-seat cockpit
- Fixed monowheel undercarriage with skids
The very high aspect-ratio 18-metre wings distinguish it from shorter-span trainers. The slim reclined cockpit pod gives a very low frontal area. A fixed monowheel sits below the centre of gravity with small wingtip skids.
Specifications
- The LAK-17A has a length of 6.75 m (22 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 18 m (59 ft).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
LAK (Lietuvos Aviacijos Klubas) has produced competition sailplanes since the Soviet era, and the LAK-17 series emerged in the early 2000s as the company's answer to the standard/18-metre class. The LAK-17A incorporated refined aerodynamics and improved construction over earlier designs. It competed at national and international level across Europe.
Variants
The LAK-17B is the principal development, featuring a modified wing profile and improved cockpit. Both variants share the same basic structural approach. A self-launching motor-glider derivative, the LAK-17BM, was also produced.
Where you'll see it
The LAK-17A has been flown by clubs and private owners principally in Lithuania and neighbouring Baltic and central European states. It appears at standard-class competitions and is an approved type for Lithuanian sporting aviation.
Related aircraft
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