Loudenslager Laser 200

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Laser 200
20180328 Loudenslager Laser 200 Udvar-Hazy.jpg
The Laser on display at the National Air and Space Museum
Role Aerobatic Monoplane
National origin United States
Designer Leo Loudenslager
First flight April 1971
Status Retired
Number built 1
Developed from Stephens Akro

The Loudenslager Laser 200 is a single place, mid wing, aerobatic monoplane designed and built by Leo Loudenslager.[1] It is constructed of steel tubing and covered with Ceconite fabric.[1]

Design and development[]

In an effort to perfect the design of the Stephens Akro, Loudenslager conducted modifications to increase roll rate, climb rate, and overall strength while decreasing the empty weight.[2] These modifications included grinding away unnecessary bosses and casting flash, which removed 12 pounds from the engine alone, as well as spot drilling the canopy. A high strength wing was achieved using a single piece wooden spar. Longer full-span ailerons greatly increased the roll rate. The resulting aircraft contained only 10% of the original design, the rest being Loudenslager's own work.[1][3] The design greatly influenced the next generation of aerobatic aircraft such as the Extra 300, which dominated aerobatics throughout 1990's.[1]

Operational history[]

The Laser 200 was flown to victory in seven US National Aerobatic Championships, and one World Aerobatic Championship.[1]

Variants[]

Stephens Akro

Original Variant

Specifications[]

Data from National Air and Space Museum[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Length: 26 ft 2 in (7.98 m)
  • Wingspan: 28 ft 8 in (8.74 m)
  • Empty weight: 842 lb (382 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming IO-360-A1A four cylinder, horizontally opposed aircraft engine, 200 hp (150 kW)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed MT Propeller MTV-2B-C/193-02

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 200 kn (230 mph, 370 km/h)

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Loudenslager Laser 200". National Air and Space Museum. 2016-03-18. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  2. ^ "Beautiful Obsession". Air and Space Magazine. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  3. ^ "Laser 200". Airbum.com. Retrieved 30 May 2019.

External links[]

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