Our motto:” Leading by ongoing product refinement” is nowhere more evident than with the ASW 22 BL. Feedback from top competition pilots combined with continuous performance enhancements has made the ASW 22 BL the most successful open class aircraft ever and led to 6 World Championship titles already.
Depending on the owner’s preferences the ASW 22 BL can be operated with different wingspans. A 4-piece wing forms the basis for the standard 25m version but new outer wing extensions with newly developed 0.45m tall winglets are now available increasing the total span to 26.58m. Slightly swept back outer wing panels are very pleasing to the eye and although beauty is always in the eye of the beholder, there can be little doubt that the ASW 22 BL is one of the most graceful gliders ever built.
Landing the ASW 22 BL is made very easy by negative aileron deflections on selection of 44 degree landing flaps. This lowers the landing speed significantly and maintains aileron control on the ground roll until the aircraft has almost come to a complete stop. Such a control mixer system can only be found on Schleicher gliders and has greatly contributed to the excellent safety record and the first class reputation of the ASW 22 BL.
Typical for all Schleicher sailplanes is the front hinged canopy with sliding window and tongue and groove seal and the ASW 22 BL is no exception. The instrument panel hinges upwards with the canopy but fully encloses the instruments while the canopy is open. An integrated gas strut not only ensures low lifting forces but more importantly ensures that the canopy can not be blown shut by a wind gust and damaged in the process.
Rubber shock absorbers fitted to the main wheels ensure a high degree of safety and pilot comfort.
Even take offs and landings on soft airfields are possible thanks to dual tires. Hydraulic disc brakes,
in flight adjustable rudder pedals and a control column mounted quick trim device are standard features
as well as a clear vision panel with air scoop. In addition to the large adjustable air vent in the aircraft’s
nose the pilot can adjust the required airflow by an airliner style air-vent. A nose release for aero-tow
operations is available on request.
Only the latest technology composite materials are used for the entire glider. Ailerons, elevator, flaps and airbrakes are all actuated by maintenance free pushrods running in ball bearings for the lowest possible actuating forces. Easily removable water ballast bags are available and even carbon fiber pushrods can be fitted on request.
POWER PLANT
When equipped with a 50hp rotary engine the ASW 22 BLE converts into a self launching glider for totally independent operation. We have embraced this technology for good reason. Rotary engines have both simplicity and reliability in a compact design while having a very high power output for their weight and size. On top of all that there is a complete absence of vibration. The reliability of such rotary engines has been steadily improved to a point where they are now fitted to sports cars with a 3 year unlimited kilometer warranty.
All these advantages make a rotary engine ideal for small aircraft and made us
decide on the single disc, liquid cooled MidWest AE50R engine now built by Diamond Aircraft. It not only comes with
dual ignition and internal forced air cooling but it is also user friendly by not burning special fuel such as AVGAS or 2-stroke mixture.
The inclusion of a mechanical propeller stop makes the extension and retraction of the engine easy and avoids a dependence
on sensitive electronics, sensors and switches.
Another step forward is the tensioning of the drive belt by extending the propeller. This design avoids a permanent load on engine and belt and also allows the engine to remain stationary mounted in the noise shielding fuselage. This brilliantly simple and convincing concept also allows the engine to be permanently connected to a large volume silencer which further reduces noise emissions. In fact noise levels are significantly below the already stringent limits in Germany. Of course, the engine is equipped with starter motor and an 18 Amp. generator as well as a small lubrication oil reservoir.
The engine’s vibration free running at all power settings and its ease of operation have made it a very popular choice for gliders of this size. Extended power cruising for ferry flights or even flying through controlled airspace at an assigned altitude presents no problem to aircraft or engine - another most welcome advantage over conventional two-stroke technology. Low fuel consumption makes the ASW 22 BLE a very economical self launching glider and gives it a range of over 200km on the standard 12.5 liter fuselage tank using the saw tooth cruising method. If that is not enough, two additional 15 liter tanks for each wing are available on request.
In short, the ASW 22 BLE is for pilots who like to glide, glide, glide and be constantly amazed how far they can go with a best glide ratio of 62:1.
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Photos: Manfred Münch
