| AC-7M | |
|---|---|
| Role | Motor glider |
| National origin | Russia |
| Manufacturer | Aviastroitel |
| Designer | Vladimir Egorovich Fedorov |
| First flight | 2005 |
| Introduction | 2006 |
| Status | In production (2011) |
| Number built | at least two |
| Variants | Aviastroitel AC-7 |
The Aviastroitel AC-7M is a Russian mid-wing, T-tailed, two-seats in side-by-side configuration motor glider that was designed by Vladimir Egorovich Fedorov and produced by Aviastroitel, now Glider Air Craft. [1] [2] [3]
Development of the AC-7M was started in 2002, it was first flown in 2005 and by 2006 two prototypes had been completed. [1] [3]
The AC-7M is a conventional self-launching sailplane, but is equipped with a more powerful retractable pusher configuration Hirth F30A25A 77.2 kW (104 hp) two stroke engine than is normal in these types, allowing it to be also used as a glider tug and as touring motor glider. The aircraft is capable of cruising at 180 km/h (112 mph) for 1,800 km (1,118 mi) while burning only 9 litres per hour (2.0 imp gal/h; 2.4 US gal/h) of fuel. [1] [2] [3]
The AC-7M uses a two bladed wooden propeller of 1.18 m (46 in) diameter. The 18 m (59.1 ft) span wing employs a Wortmann FX60-157 airfoil and mounts Fowler flaps. The wings are mounted on the fuselage with a single cam-pin and the ailerons and air brakes hook-up automatically. The fixed landing gear consists of a narrow track pair of rubber-suspended 360 mm (14.2 in) main wheels, a 310 mm (12.2 in) nose wheel and a 200 mm (7.9 in) tail caster. The main wheels incorporate lever-actuated drum brakes. The cockpit can accommodate pilots up to 190 cm (74.8 in) in height. The canopy provides 300° field of view and is jettisonable. Assembly from its trailer takes four people 20 minutes. [1] [2] [3]
The AC-7M was later developed into the unpowered and redesigned AC-7. [4]
General characteristics
Performance