Lange Antares

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Antares
Lange Flugzeugbau Antares 20E.jpg
Lange Aviation Antares 20E
Role Open Class and 18 m Class sailplane
National origin Germany
Manufacturer Lange Aviation GmbH
First flight 2003
Number built 50 as of April 2009

The Antares is a glider built by Lange Aviation produced with three different wingspans, 18, 20 and 23 meters. The 20 and 23 meter variants can be equipped with a 42-kW electric motor and SAFT VL 41M lithium-ion batteries.

The EM 42 is a fixed-shaft brushless DC electric motor (see Lange EA 42) running at 190-288 V, and drawing up to 160 A, the 42 kW motor can deliver up to 216 N.m of torque over a speed range of 160-1600 RPM with a total efficiency of 90%. Maximum continuous power is 38.5 kW, the motor weighs 29 kg, and the weight of power electronics is 10 kg. The motor turns a two-blade fixed-pitch propeller, LF-P42, constructed of composite materials, having a diameter of two meters.

The battery system consists of two battery packs positioned in the leading edges of both inner wings (72 cells divided into 24 modules containing 3 cells each). The battery life is expected to be 3000 cycles or 20 years. The capacity of the battery is 41 Ah (specific energy 136 Wh/kg and specific peak power 794 W/kg). The batteries can deliver 13 minutes at maximum power and maximum climb speed, and can climb 3,000 meters on one battery charge; in reality, in warm climates, motor and electronics temperature limitations can limit the achievable climb height. The charger is integrated inside the fuselage so when landing elsewhere the pilot merely has to find a (16A) electric outlet socket. The glider has a modem connected to its main computer so that Lange technicians can, in theory, run diagnostics remotely. The same modem allows the pilot remote control & monitoring of the battery charging process.

The undercarriage and engine doors are electro-hydraulically operated. The tailwheel is steerable. The wing has an elliptical planform, with winglets and wing-tip wheels. The glide polar shows excellent high speed performance.

Variants[]

  • Antares 18S - 18 meter wingspan pure glider.
  • Antares 18T - 18 meter wingspan glider with two-stroke gasoline sustainer engine.
  • Antares 20E - 20 meter wingspan with 42 kW electric self-launch capable engine.
  • Antares 23E - 23 meter wingspan with 42 kW electric self-launch capable engine.

Specifications[]

Antares 20E[]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one pilot
  • Capacity: 100 L water ballast
  • Length: 7.40 m (24 ft 3 in)
  • Wingspan: 20.00 m (65 ft 7 in)
  • Height: 1.64 m (5 ft 5 in)
  • Wing area: 12.6 m2 (135.6 sq ft)
  • Aspect ratio: 31.7
  • Empty weight: 460 kg (1,014 lb)
  • Gross weight: 660 kg (1,455 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Lange EM 42 , 42 kW (57 hp)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 280 km/h (174 mph, 151 kn)
  • Maximum glide ratio: 56
  • Rate of climb: 4.4 m/s (866 ft/min)
  • Rate of sink: 0.49 m/s (96 ft/min)

Antares 23E[]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one pilot
  • Capacity: 250 L water ballast
  • Length: 7.48 m (24 ft 6.5 in)
  • Wingspan: 23.00 m (75 ft 5.5 in)
  • Height: 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)
  • Wing area: 14.75 m2 (158.76 sq ft)
  • Aspect ratio: 38.26
  • Empty weight: 510 kg (1,124 lb)
  • Gross weight: 850 kg (1,873 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Lange EM 42 , 42 kW (57 hp)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 280 km/h (174 mph, 151 kn)
  • Maximum glide ratio: 60
  • Rate of climb: 4.0 m/s (787 ft/min)
  • Rate of sink: 0.48 m/s (94.5 ft/min)

See also[]

Related development

References[]

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