The Aviastroitel AC-5M is a Russian mid-wing, single-seat, T-tailed motor glider and unmanned aerial vehicle that is produced by Aviastroitel, now Glider Air Craft.
The AC-5M is derived from the motorized version of the Aviastroitel AC-4 Russia. Its design goals were to produce a simple and inexpensive self-launching sailplane. It had its first flight in December 1999 and production commenced in 2000 with a total of 35 completed.
The AC-5M features a span wing that employs a Wortmann FX60-157 airfoil. The wings are mounted on the fuselage with a single cam-pin and the ailerons and air brakes hook-up automatically. Assembly can be accomplished by one person in five minutes. The engine is a Zanzottera MZ-35R, which is a special narrow engine design developed specifically for retractable engine motor gliders. The engine retracts rearwards into a bay behind the cockpit and is closed by two doors for drag reduction. The propeller is a two bladed wooden design of diameter. The landing gear is a retractable monowheel gear with a lever-actuated drum brake, but without suspension. The cockpit can accommodate pilots up to in height. The canopy provides 300ð field of view and is jettisonable.
In 2003 the aircraft sold for US$33,000.
In October 2011 there were 22 AC-5Ms registered with the US Federal Aviation Administration and one registered with Transport Canada. Because the aircraft was never type certified all American examples are in the Experimental - Racing/Exhibition category, while Canadian are in the Limited Category.