PlaneFox tracks 1 Ka 7 aircraft for sale and re-reads every one of them from the broker and dealer sites it watches, so the figures below move when the market moves. Every number on this page is measured from those live listings, not taken from a published price guide.
The Alexander Schleicher Ka 7, also known as the Ka 7 Rhönadler, is a two-seat training and club glider designed by Rudolf Kaiser and built by Alexander Schleicher in Germany. It first flew in 1957 and was produced into the mid 1960s, before the later ASK 13 took over much of its training role. The Ka 7 matters because it represents the classic postwar European club sailplane: simple, durable, repairable and well suited to ab initio instruction, soaring practice and local cross-country training.
The Ka 7 is an unpowered sailplane, so range and ceiling are not fixed aircraft specifications. They depend on lift, weather, pilot technique, equipment and operating rules. Published performance is typically centered on a best glide ratio of about 27:1, with a best glide speed commonly quoted around the mid 40 knot range. Maximum permitted speed is about 108 knots. Maximum takeoff weight is approximately 1,058 lb, with useful load varying by airframe but commonly around 400 lb after equipment and repairs are considered. There is no powerplant. Launch is normally by aerotow or winch, depending on local configuration and approved procedures.
The cockpit has tandem seating, dual controls and a simple training layout. Visibility is good for instruction, although access, canopy condition and cockpit fit should be assessed carefully because these aircraft are now vintage machines. Original instrumentation was basic: airspeed indicator, altimeter, variometer and compass. Most active examples have been updated with a VHF radio, modern variometer, battery system and often FLARM or another traffic awareness unit. Integrated glass cockpits such as Garmin Perspective or G1000 are not typical for the Alexander Schleicher Ka 7.
Buyers should focus less on headline equipment and more on structural condition, documentation and maintenance quality. The Ka 7 uses a fabric-covered steel tube fuselage with wooden wings, so inspection should include corrosion, fabric age, wood condition, glue joints, control linkages, tow hooks, canopy fit, rigging and trailer condition. Logbooks, repair history, weight and balance data, airworthiness status and compliance with national requirements are critical. Used-market positioning is usually that of an affordable vintage two-seat club trainer, valued for simplicity and training utility rather than high cross-country performance. Common upgrades include modern radios, electronic varios, FLARM, fresh fabric, improved batteries and refurbished trailers.