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The Windy City Soaring Association Fleet

This is our current fleet. Many of our club members also own and fly their own sailplanes. When conditions are right, it is not uncommon for 20+ gliders to launch.



Pawnee 235 (23Z)

The Workhorse

1962 A model. The hopper has been removed and extended drooped wingtips have been added.
Specifications
Engine 235 HP Lycoming 0-540-B2B5 6 cylinder (541.5 cubic inches /8.9 liters)
Rated Speed RPM 2575
Compression ratio 7.2:1
Propeller 2 bladed fixed pitched McCauley
Span 36 ft 2 in
Length 24 ft 9 in
Height 7 ft 2 in
Wing Area 183 sq ft
Empty Weight 1473 lb (23Z),1528 lb (16L) MTOW: 2900 lb
Fuel capacity 42 gallons/ 39 usable Fuel consumption @ cruise: 14 GPH
Oil capacity 12 quarts
Structure Steel tube with fabric covering

Performance
Max speed 119 MPH
Cruise speed 105 MPH
Stall speed @ gross wt 62 MPH
Rate of climb Awesome



Pawnee 235 (16L)

Still has the hopper.

1971 C model, hopper included.
Specifications
Engine 235 HP Lycoming 0-540-B2B5 6 cylinder (541.5 cubic inches /8.9 liters)
Rated Speed RPM 2575
Compression ratio 7.2:1
Propeller 2 bladed fixed pitched McCauley
Span 36 ft 2 in
Length 24 ft 9 in
Height 7 ft 2 in
Wing Area 183 sq ft
Empty Weight 1473 lb (23Z),1528 lb (16L) MTOW: 2900 lb
Fuel capacity 42 gallons/ 39 usable Fuel consumption @ cruise: 14 GPH
Oil capacity 12 quarts
Structure Steel tube with fabric covering

Performance
Max speed 119 MPH
Cruise speed 105 MPH
Stall speed @ gross wt 62 MPH
Rate of climb Awesome



Grob 103 Twin II

High-performance two place glider.

Believe it or not,Neil Armstrong (the first man on the moon) flew one of these in retirement and in a rare interview said, "Gliders/Sailplanes...it is the closest you can come to being a bird".
Specifications
Crew Two
Length 8.18 m 26 ft 10 in
Wingspan 17.50 m 57 ft 5 in
Height 1.55 m 5 ft 1 in
Wing area 17.8 m2 191 sq ft
Aspect ratio 17.1
Empty weight 390 kg 869 lb
Gross weight 580 kg 1,280 lb)

Performance
Maximum speed 250 km/h 160 mph
Cruising speed 85 km/h 53 mph
G limits at Va +5.3 -2.65
Rate of sink 0.64 m/s 126 ft/min
Best glide ratio 36 to 1



Schleicher ASK-21

High-performance two place glider.

Yes, we have 2 of these and they are the pride of our fleet.
Specifications
Crew Two  
Wingspan 17 m 55.7 ft
Wing area 17.95m² 193 sqft
Wing aspect ratio 16.1  
Fuselage length 8.35 m 27.4 ft
Cockpit width 0.68 m 2.23 ft
Cockpit Height 0.9 m 2.95 ft
Height at tail 1.55 m 5.08 ft
Empty mass 360 kg 794 lbs
Max. take-off mass 600 kg 1323 lbs
Min. wing loading 24.5 kg/m² 5.01 lbs/sqft  
Max. wing loading 33 kg/m² 6.75 lbs/sqft  
Useful load, max. 2 x 110 kg 2 x 242 lbs

Performance
Max. speed 280 km/h 151 kts
Min. sink 0.65 m/s 128 ft/min
Best glide ratio 34 to 1



Schleicher ASK-21

High-performance two place glider.

Yes, we have 2 of these and they are the pride of our fleet.
Specifications
Crew Two
Wingspan 17 m 55.7 ft
Wing area 17.95m² 193 sqft
Wing aspect ratio 16.1
Fuselage length 8.35 m 27.4 ft
Cockpit width 0.68 m 2.23 ft
Cockpit Height 0.9 m 2.95 ft
Height at tail 1.55 m 5.08 ft
Empty mass 360 kg 794 lbs
Max. take-off mass 600 kg 1323 lbs
Min. wing loading 24.5 kg/m² 5.01 lbs/sqft
Max. wing loading 33 kg/m² 6.75 lbs/sqft
Useful load, max. 2 x 110 kg 2 x 242 lbs

Performance
Max. speed 280 km/h 151 kts
Min. sink 0.65 m/s 128 ft/min
Best glide ratio 34 to 1



Swidnick PW-5

Single-place, World Class sailplane.

This aircraft was designed for racing where each pilot flies an identical aircraft (think NASCAR in the sky). Several of our club members also own these. 
Specifications
Crew One
Length 6.22 m (20 ft 5 in
Wingspan 13.44 m (44 ft 1 in)
Height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Wing area 10.2 m2 (109.8 ft2)
Aspect ratio 17.71
Empty weight 190 kg (419 lb)
Gross weight 300 kg (661 lb)

Performance
Maximum speed 220 km/h (140 mph)
Rate of sink 0.65 m/s (128 ft/min)
Best glide ratio 32 to 1