Alexander Schleicher ASW 20

Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co · Germany · first flew 1977 · glider

The Schleicher ASW 20 is a high-performance single-seat Standard-class glider from West Germany, designed for competitive soaring. Its 15-metre span and refined aerodynamics gave it a glide ratio of around 43:1.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Mid-mounted, tapered
E — Engines	1 × none, embedded-mounted
F — Fuselage	6.82 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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

Spot it by:

Unpowered sailplane — no engine
Standard-class 15m competition glider
T-tail not present — conventional tail with swept fin

A clean, slender 15-metre glider with a conventional (non-T) tail and tapered wings; distinguishable from the ASW 19 by its slightly longer fuselage and refined wing profile.

Specifications

The Alexander Schleicher ASW 20 has a length of 6.82 m (22 ft).
It has a wingspan of 15 m (49 ft).
Its maximum speed is 260 km/h (162 mph).
Typical crew: 1.

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

History

Designed by Gerhard Waibel and first flown in 1977, the ASW 20 quickly became a leading competition glider in the Standard class. It achieved numerous World Championship podium finishes during the late 1970s and 1980s, cementing Schleicher's reputation. Production ran until the mid-1980s.

Variants

The ASW 20B introduced structural refinements; the ASW 20C added water ballast capacity and winglets. A water-ballast wing-tip variant also exists.

Where you'll see it

Operated by private pilots and gliding clubs worldwide; remains popular on the European competition circuit and in private ownership.

Related aircraft

AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 5,024 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.