M.Hardy. Gliders & Sailplanes of the world

Alanne Motorlerche Finland

  The Scheibe Rhonlerche II (or Rhon Lark) was a single-seat primary training glider that was produced in some numbers for the German clubs. It had the traditional Scheibe wood and fabric construction with fabric-covered ДальшеMore>>> welded steel tube fuselage, with a span of 42ft 7 3/4 in. Recently two powered conversions of the Rhonlerche have been made, one by Mr Penti Alanne of Finland and known as the Alanne Motorlerche, and the other by Herr Knechtel of Rodheim, West Germany, and known as the Knechtel Rhonlerche IIM. The latter, registered D-KABQ, has a 43hp Volkswagen 1500 car engine mounted above the wings and driving two small two-blade propellers mounted on outriggers extending over the wings. This gives it a maximum level speed of 99mph, a service ceiling of 14,765ft and a range of 155 miles, although it is heavier than the Motorlerche, with a maximum take-off weight of 1,179lb. Mr Alanne's conversion has a 50hp modified Volkswagen 1,500cc engine mounted in the nose and driving a two-bladed propeller; the forward part of the fuselage has been removed and attachments for the engine welded on. To give adequate airscrew ground clearance mainwheel and tailwheel unit similar to those of a Piper Cub are fitted. The prototype Motorlerche first flew in powered form on 10 August 1973, and by the spring of 1980 six more similar conversions were flying and five more under construction. Complete conversion to a Motorlerche can be done in about 200 hours.


Span: 42 ft 7 3/4 in
Length: 22 ft 6 in
Height: 5 ft 2 1/4 in
Wing area: 175.9 sq ft
Aspect ratio: 10.3
Empty weight: 635 lb
Max take-off weight: 882 lb
Max speed: 93 mph (in smooth air)
Min sinking speed: 3.28 ft/sec at 40.5 mph
Best glide ratio: 17:1 at 48.5 mph