Let L-23 Super Blaník

Let Kunovice · Czechoslovakia · first flew 1988 · glider

The Let L-23 Super Blaník is a two-seat all-metal training glider, an improved version of the L-13 Blaník.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	High-mounted, tapered
E — Engines	1 × none, embedded-mounted
F — Fuselage	8.5 m fuselage
T — Tail	T-tail

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

Tailplane set on top of a swept fin (T-tail)
Two-seat all-metal glider with fabric-covered control surfaces
Roomy two-piece canopy, later a single-piece canopy opening to the right

Look for a T-tail on a swept fin, which distinguishes it from the conventional tail of the L-13, and for the lack of landing flaps.

Specifications

The Let L-23 Super Blaník has a length of 8.5 m (28 ft).
It has a wingspan of 16.2 m (53 ft).
Its maximum speed is 256 km/h (159 mph).
Typical crew: 2.

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

History

Let developed it from the L-13 with a roomier cockpit, a new instrument suite and a redesigned tail. It first flew in 1988.

Variants

The L-23 was the original variant; a New Generation L23NG with winglets, an improved fuselage and a one-piece canopy was planned. The Brazilian Air Force designated it TZ-23.

Where you'll see it

It is used mainly for flight training, and the United States Civil Air Patrol uses it as a cadet trainer.

Related aircraft

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