Akaflieg Karlsruhe AK-5b
# Akaflieg Karlsruhe AK-5b

The Akaflieg Karlsruhe AK-5b is a single-seat club class glider designed and built in Germany by members of Akaflieg Karlsruhe.

## Design and development

Poor handling characteristics of the AK5 prompted Akaflieg Karlsruhe to design a successor with improved handling capable of being used as a first single-seater at the Akaflieg Karlsruhe gliding club. During development of the AK-5b it was decided to make changes to the construction by using carbon-fibre, aramid fibres and glass-fibre. As part of the re-design, a new cockpit was designed with new crash-worthy canopy, equipped with a new opening and emergency release mechanisms

## Specification (AK-5b)

Data from

General characteristics

* Crew: 1
* Wingspan: 15 m (49 ft 3 in)
* Wing area: 10.66 $m^2$ (114.7 sq ft)
* Aspect ratio: 21.11
* Airfoil: HQ-21/17,5
* Empty weight: 255 kg (562 lb)
* Gross weight: 450 kg (992 lb)

Performance

* Never exceed speed: 270 km/h (170 mph, 150 kn)
* Maximum glide ratio: 39:1 at 105 km/h (65 mph; 57 kn)
* Rate of sink: 0.58 m/s (114 ft/min) at 85 km/h (53 mph; 46 kn)
* Wing loading: 42.2 $kg/m^2$ (8.6 lb/sq ft)
