Lange Aviation
Lange Antares
The Lange Antares is a high‑performance motorglider introduced by the German company Lange Aviation in 2003. Developed from the successful LA 24B Delfin, the Antares combined a sleek composite airframe with a retractable Rotax 912 four‑stroke engine, creating a self‑launching sailplane capable of cruising at 250 km/h (135 kn) while retaining the soaring efficiency of a pure glider. Production began at the company's facility in Aachen and quickly attracted pilots seeking cross‑country speed and long‑range endurance. Key features include a carbon‑fiber wing with a 20‑meter span, a sophisticated automatic propeller deployment system, and a digital avionics suite offering GPS navigation, variometer, and flight‑data recording. The aircraft’s glide ratio exceeds 40:1, and its lightweight structure allows a maximum take‑off weight of 850 kg, meeting the European microlight category. Since its debut, the Antares has set several world records for distance and speed in the motorglider class, influencing the design of subsequent high‑performance sailplanes. Its success solidified Lange Aviation’s reputation as an innovator, bridging the gap between powered flight and pure soaring and inspiring a new generation of efficient, versatile aircraft. Today, the Antares remains a benchmark for performance and elegance in the motorglider community.
Classification
Dimensions
- Wing Area
- 12.52 square metre
- Length
- 7.4 metre
- Height
- 1.64 metre
- Mass
- 660 kilogram
Performance
- Maximum Speed
- 280 kilometre per hour
Production & History
- Units Produced
- 60
- First Flight
- 2003
Design & Classification
- Primary Use
- Country of Origin
- Manufacturer
- Lange Aviation
- Wikidata ID
- Q1804903