The LAK-17 is designed to meet the requirements of the utility category of JAR-22.

[1] 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.

[2] The LAK-17 holds water ballast in tanks in the wing and fin.

[1] The LAK-17A was certified in November 1994 by the Lithuanian Civil Aviation Authority.

[3] All variants have a 15.00 m (49.21 ft) wingspan but a wing with span increased to 18.00 m (59.06 ft) is available as an option; powered self-sustaining versions are also produced.