Lange Antares – Silent and Purely Electric into the Thermal

Introductory Text:

The Antares, built by Lange Aviation, is one of the world’s first series-produced sailplanes equipped with a highly advanced, purely electric self-launching system. For Klaus Ohlmann, this aircraft represents another perfect milestone showing how top-tier soaring performance and zero-emission, future-oriented technology go hand in hand. With its distinctive retractable electric motor in the fuselage, the Antares combines maximum launching independence with the outstanding gliding characteristics of a modern high-performance glider.

Pioneering Achievements & Highlights with the Antares

The Legendary Volkswagen Self-Launch in Courchevel

An absolute media spectacle and proof of extreme reliability: For a spectacular Volkswagen commercial (featuring the Amarok SUV), Klaus took off with the Antares from the infamous, extremely steep alpine airfield in Courchevel. Car-towed down the plunging runway, the aircraft lifted off and seamlessly transitioned into a silent climb using its electric propulsion directly over the abyss—a striking demonstration of how safely and powerfully modern electric drives perform under the most extreme alpine conditions.

Serial Champion at the Swiss „Electrifly-In“

Klaus regularly proves that electric aviation is fully capable of long-distance travel at the renowned Electrifly-In in Switzerland (Grenchen/Bern). Multiple times in a row, he secured 1st Place in the eTrophy for the longest arrival flight using electric propulsion. Instead of transporting the aircraft in a trailer, Klaus arrives via a zero-emission cross-country flight straight from the South of France, demonstrating the real-world capabilities of the Antares as a modern touring glider.

Klaus regularly proves that electric aviation is fully capable of long-distance travel at the renowned Electrifly-In in Switzerland (Grenchen). Multiple times, he secured 1st Place in the eTrophy for the longest arrival flight using electric propulsion.

A true highlight occurred at the 2022 event, where Bertrand Piccard personally presented Klaus with the winner’s trophy for his record-breaking zero-emission arrival flight from the South of France—a powerful moment bringing together two generations of aviation pioneers.

Technical Specifications & Achievements