Schleicher ASK 23
Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co · Germany · first flew 1988 · glider
The Schleicher ASK 23 is a single-seat club glider designed for robust training and local soaring, offering a gentle introduction to solo flying from the ASK 21 two-seater. Its 15m composite wing gives adequate performance for cross-country flights once pilots are ready.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × none, embedded-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Slightly stockier fuselage than competition gliders, designed for robust club use |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Unpowered sailplane — no engine
- Modern single-seat club glider with conventional tail and composite construction
- Slightly stockier fuselage than competition gliders, designed for robust club use
Identified by the conventional (non-T) tail, 15m tapered composite wing, and the slightly shorter, stockier fuselage compared to competition Single-seaters. Similar in outline to the Ka 6 but clearly modern in construction.
Specifications
- The Schleicher ASK 23 has a length of 6.06 m (20 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 15 m (49 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 210 km/h (130 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed as a natural solo step from the ASK 21 and first flown in 1988, the ASK 23 is built to the same rugged standards as its two-seat stablemate. It is widely operated by British, German, and French clubs as a first solo glider.
Variants
The ASK 23B introduced the standardised instrument panel and minor cockpit improvements; both versions are aerodynamically identical.
Where you'll see it
A staple of BGA club fleets across the UK; the ASK 23 is the most common first solo glider at many British clubs, operating alongside the ASK 21 as an integrated training system.
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- Extra 300
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