| Laser 200 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| The Laser on display at the National Air and Space Museum | |
| Role | Aerobatic Monoplane |
| National origin | United States |
| Designer | Leo Loudenslager |
| First flight | April 1971 |
| Status | Retired |
| Number built | 1 |
| Developed from | Stephens Akro |
The Loudenslager Laser 200 is a single place, mid wing, aerobatic monoplane designed and built by Leo Loudenslager. [1] It is constructed of steel tubing and covered with Ceconite fabric. [1]
In an effort to perfect the design of the Stephens Akro, Loudenslager conducted modifications to increase roll rate, climb rate, and overall strength while decreasing the empty weight. [2] These modifications included grinding away unnecessary bosses and casting flash, which removed 12 pounds from the engine alone, as well as spot drilling the canopy. A high strength wing was achieved using a single piece wooden spar. Longer full-span ailerons greatly increased the roll rate. The resulting aircraft contained only 10% of the original design, the rest being Loudenslager's own work. [1] [3] The design greatly influenced the next generation of aerobatic aircraft such as the Extra 300, which dominated aerobatics throughout 1990's. [1]
The Laser 200 was flown to victory in seven US National Aerobatic Championships, and one World Aerobatic Championship. [1]
Data from National Air and Space Museum [1]
General characteristics
Performance
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