Jahresbericht 2017

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Selected Highlights 2017
Mü 31 – Recent Prototype Built by Akaflieg München
On September 15, 2017, the glider prototype Mü 31
successfully carried out its maiden flight. It was built by
students of the academic fliers’ club Akaflieg Munich at
the TUM research campus near Garching.
Akaflieg Munich is an association of students from all
three Munich universities who share their common pas-
sion for aviation. Founded in 1924 with the motto ‘Design,
build and fly’, the Akaflieg Munich is the eldest student
group at TUM. More than 30 aircraft prototypes have been
designed, of which two thirds have flown successfully.
Nowadays, five prototypes are still in regular use at the
club’s airfield close to Königsdorf. The objective of the
students’ activities is to combine theoretical knowledge
from lectures with practical experience in the design and
the manufacture of aircraft. In the recent project, more
than 150 students were involved in research, design and
manufacturing activities. Currently, approximately 40
students are actively working on different projects.
The design of the recent glider Mü 31 aims at drag
reduction by optimization of the wing-fuselage transition.
It is based on the series aircraft ASW 27, has a 15 m span
and was modified by the students according to the results
of theoretical aerodynamic studies and wind tunnel tests.
The implemented adaptations of the airfoils as well as the
geometry of wing and fuselage yield increased perfor-
mance by reducing induced and interference drag. The
design and the construction of the inner wing section and
the fuselage have been done completely by the students.
Manufacture of the first parts for the load test structures
started in 2008. Different load tests were required by
the certification authority (LBA) to enable full certifica-
tion according to the JAR-22 requirements. The actual
prototype was built from 2012 onwards and performed its
first flight in September 2017. To the great relief and joy of
the team, the Mü 31 flew without difficulty. However, this
is not the end of the project. The next steps will involve a
vibration test and different flight tests. They are necessary
to show compliance of the flying and handling charac-
teristics of the aircraft with the requirements. As soon as
all requirements are fulfilled, the prototype will be fully
certified and included in flight operations.
Before the Mü 31, the Akaflieg designed and built the Mü
30 ‘Schlacro’, which is an aerobatic and towing aircraft,
that first flew in the current configuration in 2007. The
certification process was completed in 2012 and the
aircraft is nowadays regularly used in flight operations.
Also, the follow-on project has already been defined: The
students want to build a high performance aerobatic glider
for the ‘Unlimited’ competition class. They are currently
working on the design and want to start manufacturing the
first parts this year.
The Akaflieg team proudly presents their new prototyp
The Mü 31 is off the ground for the first time.
Akaflieg München e.V. ,
, Phone +49.89.289.15978
Contact