Scheibe Flugzeugbau Sf-25c Falke

Single Piston

The Scheibe SF-25 Falke is a two-seat motor glider developed in Germany during the 1960s, designed to bridge the gap between pure sailplanes and conventional light aircraft. Built by Scheibe Flugzeugbau in Bavaria, the Falke combined a high-aspect-ratio wing optimized for soaring with a modest piston engine that allowed self-launch and sustained powered flight. The design proved popular with gliding clubs across Europe as a cost-effective trainer that could teach both power and soaring techniques in a single airframe, eliminating the need for aerotows or winch launches while still offering respectable glide performance when the engine was shut down. With a maximum takeoff weight of just 1,212 pounds and a never-exceed speed of 135 knots, the SF-25 occupies a niche between pure gliders and traditional trainers like the Cessna 152. Its low stall speed of 37 knots in landing configuration and benign handling made it particularly suitable for ab-initio training, while the ability to soar on thermals with the propeller stopped gave students early exposure to energy management principles central to glider flying. Production continued through several variants over multiple decades, with the SF-25C being among the most common models. SkyMeter has tracked 4 flights across 2 airframes and 1 operators, with distinct routes observed.