title: Schleicher ASH 25
text: # Schleicher ASH 25
  
  The ASH 25 is a two-seater high performance Open Class glider manufactured by Alexander Schleicher from 1986 until September 2008, originally with a 25-metre wingspan. It was superseded in production by the ASH 30.
  
  ## Design and development
  
  In 1984, designer Martin Heide (the 'H' in the type designation) combined the wing of the World Championship winning single-seater Schleicher ASW 22 with a fuselage derived from the Akaflieg Stuttgart fs31 which had particularly low drag. The prototype was designated AS $22-2.^{:2}$ The span was increased in later versions to 25.6 or 26 metres with winglets.
  
  A 'turbo' version was also developed, the ASH 25E, followed by the self-launching ASH 25 Mi with a large retractable propeller and a Wankel engine.
  
  ## Variants
  
  ### ASH 25
  
      A 25m Open class glider, 25.6m or 26m wingspan when fitted with option winglets.
  
  ### ASH 25E
  
      Self-sustaining version with a 24 hp Rotax 275 engine
  
  ### ASH 25M
  
      Self-launching version with a 60 hp AE50R engine. Both the ASH 25 and ASH 25E can be converted to the ASH 25M by the manufacturer.
  
  ### ASH 25 Mi
  
      Self-launching version with a 60 hp IAE50R-AA engine. The ASH 25, ASH 25E and ASH 25M can be converted to the ASH 25Mi by the manufacturer.
  
  ### ASH 25J
  
      Self-launching version with a jet engine
  
  ### ASH 25EB
  
      Self-launching version with a Rotax 535C engine, 27m wingspan and one-piece canopy
  
  ### ASH 25EB/28
  
      Self-launcher with one-piece canopy and 28m wingspan
  
  ## Specifications (with 25.6 metre wings)
  
  Data from Specifications for ASH 25 / ASH 25 $Mi^{:4}$
  
  General characteristics
  
  * Crew: 2
  * Length: 8.97 m (29 ft 5 in)
  * Wingspan: 25.6 m (84 ft 0 in)
  * Height: 1.7 m (5 ft 7 in)
  * Wing area: 16.5 $m^2$ (178 sq ft)
  * Aspect ratio: 39.8
  * Airfoil: root:HQ 17; tip:DU 84-132/V3
  * Empty weight: 478 kg (1,054 lb)
  * Max takeoff weight: 750 kg (1,653 lb)
  * Water ballast: 120 L (32 US gal; 26 imp gal)
  
  Performance
  
  * Never exceed speed: 280 km/h (170 mph, 150 kn)
  * Maximum glide ratio: ca. 60:1
  * Rate of sink: 0.42 m/s (83 ft/min)
  