Schleicher ASH-26E
The Schleicher ASH 26 E is an 18-metre Class self-launching glider first flown in 1993, its 'H' designation crediting designer Martin Heide. A liquid-cooled Wankel-type engine, the Diamond/Austro AE50R, extends on a pylon behind the cockpit so pilots can climb to soaring altitude and cruise home without a tow plane or an outlanding, then retract the motor for silent flight. Composite carbon, aramid and polyethylene-fibre construction gives it a 95%-laminar-flow wing and a glide ratio around 50:1. More than 90% of ASH 26s sold were this self-launching E version, with over 250 built by 2018.
Did you know?
The ASH 26 E self-launches on a Wankel engine that tucks away behind the cockpit for clean, silent soaring.
Specifications
| Length | 7 m (23 ft) |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | 18 m (59 ft) |
| Height | 1.5 m (5 ft) |
| Persons on board | 1 |
| Maximum take-off weight | 0.5 t |
| Range | 360 NM (667 km) |
| Rate of climb | 670 ft/min (3.4 m/s) |
| Fuel capacity | 16 l |
Curated by CatchFlights from manufacturer documents, ICAO Doc 8643 and reference works; values are left out where no source could confirm them. Sources are listed on our credits page.
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