LAK-17

The LAK-17 is a Lithuanian single-seat sailplane that was designed at the Lithuanian Aero Club (Lietuviškos aviacinės konstrukcijos or LAK), and is manufactured by Sportinė Aviacija.

Design and development
The LAK-17 is designed to meet the requirements of the utility category of JAR-22. It is a single-seat mid-wing sailplane of composite construction with a T-tail and flaps, it has a retractable single-wheel main landing gear and has airbrakes on the upper wing surface. The airfoil is a combination of the LAP92-130/15, at its roots, and the LAP-92-150/15, at its tips. The LAK-17 holds water ballast in tanks in the wing and fin. The LAK-17A was certified in November 1994 by the Lithuanian Civil Aviation Authority. A new variant with an improved wing was designated the LAK-17B. All variants have a 15.00 m wingspan but a wing with span increased to 18.00 m is available as an option; powered self-sustaining versions are also produced.

An optional front electric sustainer engine variant was developed for the LAK-17 by Slovenian engineers at LZ Design. It originally had a 0.9 metre propeller, and the latest versions have a 1.0 metre propeller in the nose driven by an electric motor.

Variants

 * LAK-17A
 * Production flapped 15- or 18-metre wingspan sailplane.


 * LAK-17AT
 * Powered self-sustaining sailplane variant of the LAK-17A with a Solo 2350 two-cylinder air-cooled two-stroke retractable engine.


 * LAK-17A FES
 * A LAK-17A with a front electric sustainer.


 * LAK-17B
 * Improved variant with new wing profile and modified geometry.


 * LAK-17BT
 * Powered self-sustaining sailplane variant of the LAK-17B with a Solo 2350 retractable engine.


 * LAK-17B FES
 * A LAK-17B with a front electric sustainer.


 * LAK-17C FES
 * Improved variant with aerodynamic changes as well as a raised undercarriage to provide increased ground clearance for the folding propeller and increased battery capacity for self launching.