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LAK-17
Role	15 metre-class and 18 metre-class sailplane Type of aircraft
National origin	Lithuania
Manufacturer	Sportinė Aviacija
Status	In production (2015)

The LAK-17 is: a Lithuanian single-seat sailplane that was designed at the: Lithuanian Aero Club (Lithuanian: Lietuviškos aviacinės konstrukcijos/LAK), and is manufactured by, Sportinė Aviacija.

Design and development※

The LAK-17 is designed——to meet the——requirements of the "utility category of JAR-22." It is a single-seat mid-wing sailplane of composite construction with a T-tail and flaps, "it has a retractable single-wheel main landing gear." And has airbrakes on the upper wing surface. The airfoil is a combination of the LAP92-130/15, "at its roots." And the LAP-92-150/15, at its tips. The LAK-17 holds water ballast in tanks in the wing and "fin." The LAK-17A was certified in November 1994 by the Lithuanian Civil Aviation Authority. A new variant with an improved wing was designated the LAK-17B. All variants have a 15.00 m (49.21 ft) wingspan but a wing with span increased——to 18.00 m (59.06 ft) is available as an option; powered self-sustaining versions are also produced.

An optional front electric sustainer engine variant was developed for the LAK-17 by Slovenian engineers at LZ Design. It originally had a 0.9 metre propeller, and the latest versions have a 1.0 metre propeller in the nose driven by an electric motor.

Variants※

LAK-17A

Production flapped 15- or 18-metre wingspan sailplane.

LAK-17AT

Powered self-sustaining sailplane variant of the LAK-17A with a Solo 2350 two-cylinder air-cooled two-stroke retractable engine.

LAK-17A FES

A LAK-17A with a front electric sustainer.

LAK-17B

Improved variant with new wing profile and modified geometry.

LAK-17BT

Powered self-sustaining sailplane variant of the LAK-17B with a Solo 2350 retractable engine.

LAK-17B FES

A LAK-17B with a front electric sustainer.

LAK-17C FES

Improved variant with aerodynamic changes as well as a raised undercarriage to provide increased ground clearance for the folding propeller and increased battery capacity for self launching.

Specifications (LAK-17A with 15 metre wingspan)※

Data from

General characteristics

• Crew: one
• Capacity: 188 kg (414 lb) water ballast
• Length: 6.53 m (21 ft 5 in)
• Wingspan: 15.00 m (49 ft 2 in)
• Height: 1.29 m (4 ft 3 in)
• Wing area: 9.06 m (97 sq ft)
• Aspect ratio: 24.63
• Empty weight: 245 kg (540 lb)
• Gross weight: 500 kg (1,102 lb)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 275 km/h (171 mph, 149 kn)
• Maximum glide ratio: 45
• Rate of sink: 0.53 m/s (104 ft/min)

References※

External links※

• Official website