Poor handling characteristics of the AK5 prompted Akaflieg Karlsruhe to design a successor with improved handling capable of being used as a first single-seater at the Akaflieg Karlsruhe gliding club. During development of the AK-5b it was decided to make changes to the construction by using carbon-fibre, aramid fibres and glass-fibre. As part of the re-design, a new cockpit was designed with new crash-worthy canopy, equipped with a new opening and emergency release mechanisms

Data from ^[2]

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Wingspan: 15 m (49 ft 3 in)
• Wing area: 10.66 m² (114.7 sq ft)
• Aspect ratio: 21.11
• Airfoil: HQ-21/17,5
• Empty weight: 255 kg (562 lb)
• Gross weight: 450 kg (992 lb)

Performance

• Never exceed speed: 270 km/h (170 mph, 150 kn)
• Maximum glide ratio: 39:1 at 105 km/h (65 mph; 57 kn)
• Rate of sink: 0.58 m/s (114 ft/min) at 85 km/h (53 mph; 46 kn)
• Wing loading: 42.2 kg/m² (8.6 lb/sq ft)

• Akaflieg Karlsruhe (in German)
• Akaflieg Karlsruhe homepage