K7 Rhönadler
Role Glider
National origin West Germany
Manufacturer Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co
Designer Rudolf Kaiser
Introduction 1960
Status Production completed
Number built 550
Developed from Schleicher Ka-2
Variants Schleicher ASK 13

The Schleicher K7 Rhönadler is a West German high-wing, two-seat, glider that was designed by Rudolf Kaiser and produced by Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co.[1][2]

Often referred to as the Ka-7 or K-7, the US Federal Aviation Administration type certificate officially designates it as the K7.[1][2][3]

Design and development

The K7 was intended as a two-place trainer with good performance, a rare combination in trainers of its time.[1][2]

The K7 is constructed with a welded steel tube fuselage, covered in doped aircraft fabric covering. The wing is a wooden structure with a doped fabric covering and employs a Goettingen 533 (16%) airfoil at the wing root, transitioning to a Goettingen 533 (14%) section at the wing tip. The wing features powerful dive brakes. The landing gear is a fixed monowheel. The earlier Ka-2 variant has a plywood monocoque fuselage.[1][2][3][4]

After 550 had been built, the K7 was superseded in production by the Schleicher ASK 13.[1][2]

The K7 can be converted into a K7/13 with a conversion kit to lower the wing to the mid-wing position and installation of a one-piece canopy, rendering the aircraft similar to the ASK-13.[1]

Operational history

A K7 was flown to a new world multi-place glider speed record for flight around a 500 km (311 mi) triangle of 84 km/h (52 mph) in 1964 in South Africa.[1][2]

Australian Air Force Cadets being taught how to operate the Ka-7 in 2010.

A K7 was assigned to 2 Wing AAFC and used to train Australian Air Force Cadets 228 Squadron at Bundaberg from 2007 to 2014.[5]

Variants

Ka-2
Early version with a plywood monocoque fuselage[1][3]
K7
Main production version with a steel tube fuselage.[1][2][3]
K7/13
K7 converted to a mid-wing arrangement, plus a single piece canopy, to resemble an AS-K 13[1]

Specifications (K7)

K7 after landing
K7 wing being recovered, showing the wooden structure

Data from Sailplane Directory, Soaring and FAA Type Certificate 7g3,[1][2][3] and The World's Sailplanes:Die Segelflugzeuge der Welt:Les Planeurs du Monde[6]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: one passenger
  • Length: 8.15 m (26 ft 9 in)
  • Wingspan: 16.0 m (52 ft 6 in)
  • Wing area: 17.56 m2 (189.0 sq ft)
  • Aspect ratio: 14.6:1
  • Airfoil: root: Goettingen 533 (16%), mid: Goettingen 533 (14%), tip: Goettingen 533 (14%)
  • Empty weight: 282 kg (622 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 484.5 kg (1,068 lb)

Performance

  • Stall speed: 59 km/h (37 mph, 32 kn)
  • Never exceed speed: 200 km/h (120 mph, 110 kn)
  • Rough air speed max: 130 km/h (81 mph; 70 kn)
  • Aerotow speed: 130 km/h (81 mph; 70 kn)
  • Winch launch speed: 100 km/h (62 mph; 54 kn)
  • g limits: +4 -2
  • Maximum glide ratio: 26:1 at 83 km/h (52 mph)
  • Rate of sink: 0.70 m/s (138 ft/min) at 67 km/h (42 mph)
  • Wing loading: 27.34 kg/m2 (5.60 lb/sq ft)

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Activate Media (2006). "Ka-7 Schleicher". Archived from the original on 17 November 2011. Retrieved 23 July 2011.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Said, Bob (November 1983). "1983 Sailplane Directory". Soaring Magazine. Soaring Society of America. USPS 499-920.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Federal Aviation Administration (February 1961). "Type Certificate Data Sheet No. 7g3" (PDF). Retrieved 23 July 2011.
  4. ↑ Lednicer, David (2010). "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". Retrieved 23 July 2011.
  5. ↑ "Gliding". 1 January 2018. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  6. ↑ Shenstone, B.S.; K.G. Wilkinson; Peter Brooks (1958). The World's Sailplanes:Die Segelflugzeuge der Welt:Les Planeurs dans Le Monde (in English, French, and German) (1st ed.). Zurich: Organisation Scientifique et Technique Internationale du Vol a Voile (OSTIV) and Schweizer Aero-Revue. pp. 9–13.

References

  • Activate Media (2006). "Ka-7 Schleicher". Archived from the original on 17 November 2011. Retrieved 23 July 2011.
  • Said, Bob (November 1983). "1983 Sailplane Directory". Soaring Magazine. Soaring Society of America. USPS 499-920.
  • Federal Aviation Administration (February 1961). "Type Certificate Data Sheet No. 7g3" (PDF). Retrieved 23 July 2011.
  • Lednicer, David (2010). "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". Retrieved 23 July 2011.
  • Shenstone, B.S.; K.G. Wilkinson; Peter Brooks (1958). The World's Sailplanes:Die Segelflugzeuge der Welt:Les Planeurs dans Le Monde (in English, French, and German) (1st ed.). Zurich: Organisation Scientifique et Technique Internationale du Vol a Voile (OSTIV) and Schweizer Aero-Revue. pp. 81–87.

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