Loudenslager Laser 200
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Laser 200 | |
|---|---|
 The Laser on display at the National Air and Space Museum | |
| General information | |
| Type | Aerobatic Monoplane |
| National origin | United States |
| Designer | |
| Status | Retired |
| Number built | 1 |
| History | |
| First flight | April 1971 |
| 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]
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
- Original Variant