Schleicher AS 34Me
The Schleicher AS 34Me is a German glider manufactured by Alexander Schleicher. It is a self-launcher that uses an electrical propulsion system.
Design and development
The AS 34Me is a single-seat, mid-wing sailplane of composite construction, with a retractable monowheel landing gear and a T-tail. The design is based upon the ASW 28, with an unflapped wing. It can be flown with an span and area or a span and. The power unit has already been used in Schleicher ASG 32 EI, except the batteries are mounted in the wings rather than the fuselage.The AS 34Me has an air-cooled EMRAX motor with 35 kW maximum and 25 kW continuous power output and a completely retractable propeller, unlike front electric sustainer units used on gliders such as the Schempp-Hirth Ventus-3. The battery has a capacity of 8.6kWh. The manufacturer claims a maximum rate of climb at take-off of 3.7 m/s. The remaining propulsion capacity after a take-off to 600 m will provide a further rate of climb of 2.5 m/s to an altitude of 2200 m and a range of 125 km using a "climb and glide" method. The glider can be flown in the Standard class or in the 18 metre Class.