Scheibe Flugzeugbau Sf-25c Falke

Single Piston

The Scheibe SF-25 Falke is a two-seat motor glider designed in Germany during the 1960s to bridge the gap between pure sailplanes and conventional light aircraft. Built by Scheibe Flugzeugbau, the Falke entered production in 1963 and became one of the most successful motor gliders ever made, with over 1,500 examples delivered worldwide. Its name means "falcon" in German, reflecting its dual nature as both a powered trainer and a soaring aircraft capable of self-launch and extended cross-country flights. The SF-25's high-aspect-ratio wings give it a glide ratio around 1:23, allowing pilots to shut down the engine in flight and soar on thermals like a pure glider, then restart for the return to base. This unique capability made it ideal for glider pilot training, particularly in Europe where tow-plane operations were expensive. The most common variant, the SF-25C Falke, is powered by a modest 80-horsepower Limbach engine driving a fixed-pitch propeller, cruising around 80 knots with a service ceiling near 13,000 feet. Thousands of glider pilots earned their licenses in Falkes, and the type remains popular with soaring clubs across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Its docile handling, excellent visibility from the tandem cockpit, and ability to operate from short grass strips made it a practical choice for clubs with limited budgets. SkyMeter has tracked 160 flights across 32 airframes and 2 operators, with Deutsche Alpen Segelflugschule Unterwössen the largest observed operator.