Alexander Schleicher ASH 26E

Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co · Germany · first flew 1996 · light aircraft

The ASH 26E is a single-seat 18-metre class self-launching glider from Alexander Schleicher, combining outstanding soaring performance with a retractable piston sustainer engine.

Recognition (WEFT)

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Spot it by:

• Unpowered sailplane — no engine in glide mode; retractable sustainer in fuselage
• Single-seat 18 m class self-launching glider
• Winglets at wingtips

A sleek single-seat glider with a 18 m span, winglets, T-tail, and retractable monowheel undercarriage; slightly smaller and lighter than the two-seat ASH 25E.

Specifications

• The Alexander Schleicher ASH 26E has a length of 6.94 m (23 ft).
• It has a wingspan of 18 m (59 ft).
• Its maximum speed is 267 km/h (166 mph).
• Typical crew: 1.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Introduced in the mid-1990s as Alexander Schleicher's flagship single-seat 18 m glider, the ASH 26E builds on the ASH 25 experience to offer a solo pilot exceptional performance; it became highly popular in club and competition soaring.

Variants

The ASH 26 (non-motorised) is the base version; the ASH 26E adds the retractable sustainer; no further major structural variants exist.

Where you'll see it

Widely used across Europe and internationally in 18-metre class gliding competitions and cross-country touring; it remains a respected competition aircraft.

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• Alexander Schleicher ASH 25E
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