Akaflieg Karlsruhe: Difference between revisions

Akaflieg Karlsruhe
Company type	Non-profit
Genre	Aviation research
Founded	1928 and 1951
Headquarters	Karlsruhe, Germany
Website	www.akaflieg.uni-karlsruhe.de

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Akaflieg Karlsruhe is one of ten flying groups (Akaflieg) attached to German universities. Akaflieg is an abbreviation for Akademische Fliegergruppe, an academic group of students working with a German University. The Akademische Fliegergruppe Karlsruhe e.V. (Akaflieg Karlsruhe) - (Academic Aviator Group Karlsruhe) is a group of students enrolled at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, who are involved with the development and the design of gliders, as well as research in aerodynamics.

History

Akaflieg Karlsruhe from 1928 to 1933

In the winter semester of 1927/28 a glider group was founded by Karl Töpfer, Assistant at the chair for motor vehicles with a teaching assignment for aircraft technology. The association was registered as Academic Flying Club Karlsruhe 1928. The hang-glider, a large wing equipped with a passenger harness called „Brigant“/"Bandit" was taken over from the Glider Club Karlruhe, which had just been dissolved. Until 1933 three glider planes were built, named "Zögling"/"Pupil", "Hol’s der Teufel"/"Let the devil get it" and "Karlsruhe". On May 13, 1933, the Akaflieg Karlsruhe was dissolved. The entire equipment was repossessed to the Karlsruhe grouping of the German Aviation Federation.

Re-foundation 1951

Glider flying was allowed in Germany on May 22, 1951, on which the new Academic Flying Group of Karlruhe was officially founded. on its first day it 78 members. Thanks to the support of many friends and sponsors, the fleet rapidly expanded. In 1954 a two-seater (model Kranich III) was purchased and got the name „Walter“. In 1955 a new Doppelraab V6 named „Studiosus“ and a motor-plane Bücker 181 "Bestmann" were added to the fleet. A self-built L-Spatz 55 was soon built by the Akaflieg. Mid Sixties work on the project AK-1 started. On January 9, 1971, at 12:31 Central European Time AK-1 was airborne on its own propulsion. The first Prototype of Akaflieg Karlsruhe after the war had proven itself.

The Seventies to Eighties

Flight trials of the Ak-1 were undertaken in the beginning of the seventies. On October 27, 1973, the assemblee decided to launch a new project. AK-2 should be a powerful motor-glider out of Fiberglas. The project was never finished. In parallel flight data calculators for glider flying had been conceived and constructed. AK-3 became a project and a finished flight computer with electric variometer and glide slope indicator was borne, which was even produced in a small series. AK-3R was completed as approach slope calculator The Ak-4 project was a in cooperation with the Institute for climate research and meteorology at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. Climatic data over the Upper Rhine Region was measured with an airplane purpose built with special equipment for in flight data collection.

Akaflieg Karlsruhe today

Akaflieg Karlsruhe has a workshop on the west campus of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. The students usually work off the required 300 hours per year there. The DG-1000 with a 400-N-Turbine (AK-9) is finished and in flight trials. The main project is the construction of AK-X, a pure wing 15-class glider. The flying activities, with winch hauling, are held on the glider field of Rheinstetten, close to the fair of Karlsruhe since the airport of Karlsruhe-Forchheim was closed.

Gliders/ Prototypes

Aircraft designed and/or built at Akaflieg Karlsruhe include:

Akaflieg Karlsruhe AK-1 "Mischl" self-launching sailplane

Single seat glider: steel tube frame construction with fiberglass hull, 15 m of wingspan fitted with a retractable 4 cylinder, two stroke, 28 HP motor, type F10A from Hirth industries.

Akaflieg Karlsruhe AK-2^[1]

An adaptation of a Glasflügel 604 glider with a motor remaining in the hull, which was a novelty in the Seventies. The project was cancelled in favor of AK-5 after 16 years.

AFK-3

A single engine Winch was conceived as a novelty, using one engine for driving the truck on the road and hauling the gliders into the air. The winch is hydro-electric and the winch operator uses the passenger seat instead of a separate operator cabin.

Akaflieg Karlsruhe AK-5 "Ardea"

Single-seat standard glider in Fiberglass construction. The hull is a Glasflügel 604. The wings have the shape of a Falcon, a prototype designed by Hansjörg Streifeneder (maiden flight 1981). The aim of the project was to pass on the knowledge and incorporate modern, less expensive construction methods as fiberglass. It can be used in instruction because of easy handling. The first flight was June 1, 1990.

Akaflieg Karlsruhe AK-5b "Otto K.K."

This is a development of AK-5 with "winglets" and rebuild hull interior. New, easier steering mechanics allow student pilots to fly and new materials are lighter. The first flight of AK-5b was 1996.

Akaflieg Karlsruhe AK-8

Single seat 15m standard class glider. New elliptical shaped were built with an aluminum mold. The hull is a DG-600M. Maiden flight of AK-8 was in 2003. After a crash a new left wing was finished in 2009. Improved wings with winglets and improved performance were added in 2014.

Akaflieg Karlsruhe AK-9 or DG-1000J D-KAKJ "Jet"

A 400N turbine was installed in a two-seater DG-1000. In Cooperation with the Institute for Thermal Flowengines at the KIT the behavior of an AMT Titan Jet Engine by the Dutch producer Draline were researched and improved with a silencer.

AK-X

A pure wing glider-prototype with improved handling and performance is currently being built, inspired by the pure-wing conception of the Horten brothers and based on the experience of the SB-13 built by Akaflieg Braunschweig. A 1:2 model flew mid 2015.

References

^ Taylor, John W.R. (1983). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1982-83. London: Jane's Publishing Company. pp. 594 & 616–617. ISBN 978-0-7106-0748-5.

Bibliography

Frank-Dieter Lemke; Rolf Jacob (June 2010). "Forschen – Bauen – Fliegen Die Akademischen Fliegergruppen (Akaflieg) in Deutschland bis 1945". Flieger Revue extra (in German). 1 (29): 18–31.(in German)

External links

[JAWA82-3-1] Taylor, John W.R. (1983). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1982-83. London: Jane's Publishing Company. pp. 594 & 616–617. ISBN 978-0-7106-0748-5.

[1]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Infobox company
-{| class="infobox" style="width:30em;"
-|+ style=font-size:large;| '''Akaflieg Karlsruhe'''
+| name = Akaflieg Karlsruhe
+| logo = Akaflieg Karlsruhe.png
-| colspan=2 style="text-align:left; font-size:smaller;" |
+| type = [[Non-profit]]
-|-
+| industry =
-| '''Type'''
+| genre =  [[Aviation]] research
-| Non-profit
+| founded = 1928 and 1951
-|-
+| hq_location_city = [[Karlsruhe]]
-| '''Founded'''
+| hq_location_country = [[Germany]]
-|1928 and 1951
+| website = {{URL|www.akaflieg.uni-karlsruhe.de}}
-|-
+}}
-| '''Headquarters'''
-| [[Karlsruhe]], Germany
-|-
-| '''Membership'''
-| Students and University faculty
-|-
-| '''Field'''
-| [[Aviation]] research
-|-
-| '''Number of Members'''
-| 30 (in 2015)
-|-
-|'''Website'''
-| [https://www.akaflieg.uni-karlsruhe.de/ www.akaflieg.uni-karlsruhe.de]
-|}
-'''Akaflieg Karlsruhe''' is one of approximately twenty flying groups attached to [[Germany|German]] [[universities]]. '''Akaflieg''' is an abbreviation for ''Akademische Fliegergruppe'', an academic group of students and faculty from a German University.
+'''Akaflieg Karlsruhe''' is one of ten flying groups ([[Akaflieg]]) attached to German [[universities]]. '''Akaflieg''' is an abbreviation for ''Akademische Fliegergruppe'', an academic group of students  working with a German University. The ''Akademische Fliegergruppe Karlsruhe e.V.'' (Akaflieg Karlsruhe) - (Academic Aviator Group Karlsruhe) is a group of students enrolled at [[Karlsruhe Institute of Technology]], who are involved with the development and the design of gliders, as well as research in aerodynamics.
-==Akaflieg history==
+== History ==
-[[Otto Lilienthal]] published his book ''Der Vogelflug als Grundlage der Fliegekunst ''(Birdflight as the Basis of Aviation) in 1889, describing the basis of modern aerodynamics and aircraft construction. Lilienthal made many successful gliding flights from 1891 onwards. But the focus of attention shifted to powered flight after the [[Wright Brothers]] had demonstrated their [[Wright Flyer]].
+=== Akaflieg Karlsruhe from 1928 to 1933 ===
-[[Gliding]] re-emerged as a sport after the war because the building of powered aircraft was restricted in Germany by the [[Treaty of Versailles]]. The main originator of the gliding movement was [[Oskar Ursinus]], who in 1920 organised the first contest, known as the Rhön-Contest, on the [[Wasserkuppe]]. Held annually, students of technical universities brought gliders which they had developed and built themselves for testing at these contests, developing an ''esprit de corps'' known as ''Rhöngeist''.
+In the winter semester of 1927/28 a glider group was founded by Karl Töpfer, Assistant at the chair for motor vehicles with a teaching assignment for aircraft technology. The association was registered as Academic Flying Club Karlsruhe 1928. The hang-glider, a large wing equipped with a passenger harness called „Brigant“/"Bandit" was taken over from the Glider Club Karlruhe, which had just been dissolved. Until 1933 three glider planes were built, named "Zögling"/"Pupil", "Hol’s der Teufel"/"Let the devil get it" and "Karlsruhe". On May 13, 1933, the Akaflieg Karlsruhe was dissolved. The entire equipment was repossessed to the Karlsruhe grouping of the German Aviation Federation.
-These informal beginnings stimulated the formation of groups of engineers at universities with the aim of scientific and practical education, with the first groups being formed, in 1920, at [[Aachen]] (''[[Flugwissenschaftliche Vereinigung Aachen]]''), [[Darmstadt]] and [[Berlin-Charlottenburg]] (''[[Akaflieg Berlin]]''), Karlsruhe followed in 1924. Many of the first members had been pilots in the ''[[Luftstreitkräfte]]'' (Imperial German Air Service), but it was the love of flying rather than militarism or nationalism that motivated them, resulting in a fraternal spirit that has been maintained to this day.
+[[File:Akaflieg Karlsruhe AK-1 D-KEUL BelowRRear DMFO 10June2013 (14400297169).jpg|right|thumb|The AK-1 on display at the [[Deutsches Museum Flugwerft Schleißheim]]]]
+=== Re-foundation 1951 ===
-During the Nazi period some Akafliegs retained their autonomy through the patronage of the ''Deutsche Versuchsanstalt für Luftfahrt (DVL)'', a forerunner of the present-day ''[[German Aerospace Center]] (DLR)''. However, shortly before World War II the akafliegs were forced to integrate into the ''[[NS-Deutsche Studentenbund]]'' (Nazi-students-federation), with the Akaflieg projects having mostly military applications.
+Glider flying was allowed in Germany on May 22, 1951, on which the new Academic Flying Group of Karlruhe was officially founded.
-==Present day==
+on its first day it 78 members. Thanks to the support of many friends and sponsors, the fleet rapidly expanded. In 1954 a two-seater (model Kranich III) was purchased and got the name „Walter“. In 1955 a new Doppelraab V6 named „Studiosus“ and a motor-plane [[Bücker Bü 181|Bücker 181]] "Bestmann" were added to the fleet.
-After the war, the Akafliegs re-formed in 1951, co-ordinated by ''[[Interessengemeinschaft Deutscher Akademischer Fliegergruppen e.V.]]'' ([[Idaflieg]] – interest group for German academic flying groups), with ten groups formed by 2009.
+A self-built [[Scheibe L-Spatz 55|L-Spatz 55]] was soon built by the Akaflieg.
+Mid Sixties work on the project AK-1 started. On January 9, 1971, at 12:31 [[Central European Time]] AK-1 was airborne on its own propulsion. The first Prototype of Akaflieg Karlsruhe after the war had proven itself.
+=== The Seventies to Eighties===
-The aim of the Akafliegs is scientific research into flight development, as well as design and construction of aeroplanes, especially gliders. Much of the practical work is done at the summer meetings of the 'Idaflieg' in co-operation with the ''[[German Aerospace Center]] (DLR)'', while the results of the research are presented at the winter meetings. The 'Idaflieg' also offers many events and courses to its members such as the specification, design and certification of aeroplanes.
+Flight trials of the Ak-1 were undertaken in the beginning of the seventies. On October 27, 1973, the assemblee decided to launch a new project. AK-2 should be a powerful motor-glider out of Fiberglas. The project was never finished. In parallel flight data calculators for glider flying had been conceived and constructed. AK-3 became a project and a finished flight computer with electric variometer and glide slope indicator was borne, which was even produced in a small series. AK-3R was completed as approach slope calculator
+The Ak-4 project was a in cooperation with the Institute for climate research and meteorology at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. Climatic data over the Upper Rhine Region was measured with an airplane purpose built with special equipment for in flight data collection.
+=== Akaflieg Karlsruhe today===
-The quality of additional education provided by the Akafliegs is widely respected and so German glider manufacturers recruit almost exclusively from the Akafliegs. Once accepted as a member, students have to devote approximately 150 to 300 man-hours annually in the workshops to qualify for membership of the Akaflieg clubs, where the cost of flying is usually much lower than at other gliding/flying clubs.
+Akaflieg Karlsruhe has a workshop on the west campus of the [[Karlsruhe Institute of Technology]]. The students usually work off the required 300 hours per year there. The [[DG-1000]] with a 400-N-Turbine (AK-9) is finished and in flight trials. The main project is the construction of AK-X, a pure wing 15-class glider. The flying activities, with winch hauling, are held on the glider field of Rheinstetten, close to the fair of Karlsruhe since the airport of Karlsruhe-Forchheim was closed.
+[[file:AK-8.jpg|thumb|AK-8]]
-American Universities have also implemented programs similar to the Akafliegs but based around the American style of teaching, [[Pennsylvania State University]]'s AERSP 404H is one example of this implementation.
-==Akaflieg Karlsruhe==
+==Gliders/ Prototypes==
+Aircraft designed and/or built at Akaflieg Karlsruhe include:
-The ''Akademische Fliegergruppe Karlsruhe e.V.'' (Akaflieg Karlsruhe) - (Academic Aviator Group Karlsruhe) is a group of students enrolled at [[Karlsruhe Institute of Technology]], who are involved with the development and the design of gliders, as well as research in aerodynamics. Aircraft designed and/or built at Akaflieg Karlsruhe include;
-* [[Akaflieg Karlsruhe HL-28 Bliemchen Brigant]] – built by SGK (''Segelflieger Gruppe Karlsruhe'')
+; [[Akaflieg Karlsruhe AK-1]] "Mischl" self-launching sailplane
+* Single seat glider: steel tube frame construction with fiberglass hull, 15 m of wingspan fitted with a retractable 4 cylinder, two stroke, 28 HP motor, type F10A from Hirth industries.
-* [[Akaflieg Karlsruhe AK-1 Mischl]] self-launching sailplane
-* [[Akaflieg Karlsruhe AK-2]]<ref name=JAWA82-3>{{cite book |title=Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1982-83 |year=1983|last=Taylor |first=John W.R.  |publisher=Jane's Publishing Company |location=London |isbn=978-0-7106-0748-5|pages=594 & 616-617}}</ref>
+; Akaflieg Karlsruhe AK-2<ref name=JAWA82-3>{{cite book |title=Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1982-83 |year=1983|last=Taylor |first=John W.R.  |publisher=Jane's Publishing Company |location=London |isbn=978-0-7106-0748-5|pages=594 & 616–617}}</ref>
+* An adaptation of a [[Glasflügel 604]] glider with a motor remaining in the hull, which was a novelty in the Seventies.  The project was cancelled in favor of AK-5 after 16 years.
-* [[Akaflieg Karlsruhe AK-5 Ardea]]
+; AFK-3
-* [[Akaflieg Karlsruhe AK-5b Otto K.K.]]
+[[File:AFK-3.jpg|thumb|AFK-3 Winch]]
-* [[Akaflieg Karlsruhe AK-8]]
+* A single engine Winch was conceived as a novelty, using one engine for driving the truck on the road and hauling the gliders into the air. The winch is hydro-electric and the winch operator uses the passenger seat instead of a separate operator cabin.
-* [[Akaflieg Karlsruhe DG-1000J Turbine]]
+; [[Akaflieg Karlsruhe AK-5]] "Ardea"
+[[File:Akaflieg Karlsruhe AK-5 Timmersdorf97-002.jpg|thumb|AK-5 in flight]]
+* Single-seat standard [[glider (aircraft)|glider]] in [[Fiberglass]] construction. The hull is a [[Glasflügel 604]]. The wings have the shape of a Falcon, a prototype designed by Hansjörg Streifeneder (maiden flight 1981). The aim of the project was to pass on the knowledge and incorporate modern, less expensive construction methods as fiberglass. It can be used in instruction because of easy handling. The first flight was June 1, 1990.
+; [[Akaflieg Karlsruhe AK-5b]] "Otto K.K."
+* This is a development of AK-5 with "winglets" and rebuild hull interior. New, easier steering mechanics allow student pilots to fly and new materials are lighter. The first flight of AK-5b was 1996.
+; [[Akaflieg Karlsruhe AK-8]]
+*Single seat 15m standard class glider. New elliptical shaped were built with an aluminum mold. The hull is a DG-600M. Maiden flight of AK-8 was in 2003. After a crash a new left wing was finished in 2009. Improved wings with winglets and improved performance were added in 2014.
+;Akaflieg Karlsruhe AK-9 or [[DG-1000J]] D-KAKJ "Jet"
+[[File:DG1000J.png|thumb|DG1000J in flight]]
+* A 400N turbine was installed in a two-seater [[DG-1000]]. In Cooperation with the Institute for Thermal Flowengines at the KIT the behavior of an AMT Titan Jet Engine by the Dutch producer Draline were researched and improved with a silencer.
+; AK-X
+[[File:AK-X CAD.png|thumb|CAD-Modell of AK-X]]
+* A pure wing glider-prototype with improved handling and performance is currently being built, inspired by the pure-wing conception of the Horten brothers and based on the experience of the SB-13 built by Akaflieg Braunschweig. A 1:2 model flew mid 2015.
 ==References==
 {{reflist}}
-== Bibliogarphy ==
+== Bibliography ==
-*{{cite journal|author1=Frank-Dieter Lemke|author2=Rolf Jacob|title=Forschen – Bauen – Fliegen Die Akademischen Fliegergruppen (Akaflieg) in Deutschland bis 1945|journal=Flieger Revue extra|date=June 2010|volume=1|issue=29|pages=18–31|language=German}}{{de icon}}
+*{{cite journal|author1=Frank-Dieter Lemke|author2=Rolf Jacob|title=Forschen – Bauen – Fliegen Die Akademischen Fliegergruppen (Akaflieg) in Deutschland bis 1945|journal=Flieger Revue extra|date=June 2010|volume=1|issue=29|pages=18–31|language=German}}{{in lang|de}}
 ==External links==
-*[[:de:Akaflieg#Akaflieg Karlsruhe|Akaflieg Karlsruhe]] {{de icon}}
+*[[:de:Akaflieg#Akaflieg Karlsruhe|Akaflieg Karlsruhe]] {{in lang|de}}
 *[https://www.akaflieg.uni-karlsruhe.de/ Akaflieg Karlsruhe homepage]
-*[http://www.sailplanedirectory.com/ndxtype.htm sailplanedirectory.com]
+*[https://web.archive.org/web/20111029060740/http://www.sailplanedirectory.com/ndxtype.htm sailplanedirectory.com]
 *[http://www.idaflieg.de/ idaflieg.de]
 *[http://www.centennialofflight.net/essay/Evolution_of_Technology/High_Lift_Devices/Tech6.htm centennialofflight.net]
-*[http://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=458794&id=5&as=false&or=false&qs=Ns%3DHarvestDate%257c1%26N%3D4294756453 ntrs.nasa.gov]
+*[https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=458794&id=5&as=false&or=false&qs=Ns%3DHarvestDate%257c1%26N%3D4294756453 ntrs.nasa.gov]
+{{Akaflieg Karlsruhe aircraft}}
 [[Category:Aviation in Germany]]
@@ Line 74: / Line 79: @@
 [[Category:German civil aircraft|Sailplanes, German]]
 [[Category:German experimental aircraft]]
+[[Category:Akaflieg Karlsruhe aircraft]]