Aviastroitel AC-5M explained

The Aviastroitel AC-5M is a Russian mid-wing, single-seat, T-tailed motor glider and unmanned aerial vehicle that is produced by Aviastroitel, now Glider Air Craft.[1] [2] [3]

Design and development

The AC-5M is derived from the motorized version of the Aviastroitel AC-4 Russia. Its design goals were to produce a simple and inexpensive self-launching sailplane. It had its first flight in December 1999 and production commenced in 2000 with a total of 35 completed.

The AC-5M features a 12.61NaN1 span wing that employs a Wortmann FX60-157 airfoil. The wings are mounted on the fuselage with a single cam-pin and the ailerons and air brakes hook-up automatically. Assembly can be accomplished by one person in five minutes. The engine is a 190NaN0 Zanzottera MZ-35R, which is a special narrow engine design developed specifically for retractable engine motor gliders. The engine retracts rearwards into a bay behind the cockpit and is closed by two doors for drag reduction. The propeller is a two bladed wooden design of 1.180NaN0 diameter. The landing gear is a retractable 3101NaN1 monowheel gear with a lever-actuated drum brake, but without suspension. The cockpit can accommodate pilots up to 1901NaN1 in height. The canopy provides 300° field of view and is jettisonable.

In 2003 the aircraft sold for US$33,000.

Operational history

In October 2011 there were 22 AC-5Ms registered with the US Federal Aviation Administration and one registered with Transport Canada. Because the aircraft was never type certified all American examples are in the Experimental - Racing/Exhibition category, while Canadian are in the Limited Category.[4] [5]

Variants

AC-5M
  • Single seat motor glider powered by a 190NaN0 Zanzottera MZ-35R two-stroke powerplant.
    AC-5MP
  • Unmanned aerial vehicle version powered by a 600NaN0 Rotax 912UL four stroke powerplant mounted on a fixed, non-retractable pylon. This version mounts equipment for satellite navigation, radio remote control, TV monitoring and autonomous operation and was intended to operate at altitudes from 400to.
    AC-5K
  • Version of the 5M, but with a fixed 32.30NaN0 Simonini Victor 1 engine and a retractable two-blade wooden propeller.[6]
    AC-5Me
  • American developed prototype electric propulsion variant powered by a 25 kW (33.5 hp) Rotex RET-60, MGM-Compro HBC-280120-3EI controller and proprietary 4.4 kWh battery pack incorporating 448 Molicel P-26A cells.

    External links

    Notes and References

    1. Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 54. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
    2. Web site: This Russian enterprise Aviastroitel . 5 October 2011. Aviastroitel. 2006.
    3. Web site: Motor glider AC-5M. 7 October 2011. Glider Air Craft. n.d.. https://web.archive.org/web/20111022235738/http://www.glider.ru/en/glider/motorglider-ac-5m. 22 October 2011. dead.
    4. Web site: Make / Model Inquiry Results. 5 October 2011. Federal Aviation Administration. October 2011.
    5. Web site: Canadian Civil Aircraft Register . 5 October 2011 . . October 2011 .
    6. Web site: Single Motorglider AC-5K. 7 October 2011. Glider Air Craft. n.d.. https://web.archive.org/web/20111022234522/http://www.glider.ru/en/glider/solo-ac-5k. 22 October 2011. dead.

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