Schleicher Ash 25

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The Schleicher ASH 25 is a high-performance two-seat sailplane that has dominated the Open Class competition circuit since its introduction in 1986. Built by Alexander Schleicher GmbH in Germany, this glider represents the pinnacle of unpowered flight engineering, combining a 25.6-meter wingspan with advanced laminar-flow airfoils to achieve exceptional glide ratios exceeding 60:1 under optimal conditions. The ASH 25 holds multiple world records for distance and speed in two-seat glider categories, including a 3,009-kilometer free-distance flight completed in 2003 — a testament to its ability to exploit thermal and wave lift with extraordinary efficiency. Its tandem seating configuration makes it popular for both competition flying and cross-country instruction, allowing experienced pilots to share the cockpit with students or co-pilots during ambitious soaring expeditions. The type's never-exceed speed of 155 knots and maximum structural cruising speed of 135 knots give it a wide operating envelope for penetrating headwinds between thermals or exploiting mountain wave systems at altitudes exceeding 30,000 feet. While the base model is unpowered, Schleicher also produced the ASH 25M variant with a retractable sustainer engine for self-launch capability. SkyMeter has tracked 3 flights across 1 airframes and 1 operators, with distinct routes observed.