AS 33: Wing load test successfully completed
More fuselage payload possible
Test wing at the moment where 1,725-times the
maximum possible loads in flight are acting.
The consequent aerodynamic design of the AS 33 with a wing area of only 10 m² and a profile thicknesses below 13% even in the wing-fuselage junction results in very high requirements for the wing structure.
With the combination of well proven design methods and modern nonlinear finite element analysis it was possible to realize a wing structure without any additional weight, compared to the ASG 29, carrying even higher loads.
For example the maximum weight of non-lifting parts increased by 15 kg, this leads directly to a higher payload in the fuselage.
Further it is possible to fill or drain the new water ballast tank in the outer wing independent of the water ballast in the inner wing tank or the fuselage payload.
A suitable water ballast distribution enables higher agility
It is even possible to fly the AS 33 with full inner water ballast tanks and empty outer wing tanks, which leads to a higher agility during circling.
In fact more weight in the inner wing results in higher bending moments but the wing structure of the AS 33 was designed to withstand this loads. This was also demonstrated by the recently performed wing load test.
Plot from the FEM calculations showing high loaded areas.
As usual for every new glider one wing must be taken to verify the wing structure strength. A wing, identical to the serial wings, is therefore loaded with a special metal lifting gear to simulate the flight loads. This wing must withstand all acting forces until 1,725-times the maximum possible loads in flight are reached.
During the last few weeks we could complete this wing load test successfully under the observation of EASA. With it also an important milestone for the certification of the new AS 33 is completed.