PlaneFox tracks 1 SF-23 Sperling 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.
A Scheibe SF-23 Sperling costs about EUR 1,225 a month to run, or about EUR 167 for every flight hour when it is flown 150 hours a year.
The Scheibe SF-23 Sperling is a German two-seat light touring aircraft with strong motor glider influence, built by Scheibe Flugzeugbau in small numbers after its first flight in the mid 1950s. It is a high-wing, strut-braced design with fixed conventional landing gear, intended for economical local flying, training and club use rather than fast transport. Its importance today is as a rare postwar European aircraft that combines simple handling, good low-speed manners and straightforward construction with the character of a vintage Scheibe design.
Typical published data for the Scheibe SF-23 Sperling includes a cruise speed of about 80 knots, a range of roughly 300 nautical miles and a service ceiling in the region of 13,000 feet. The aircraft is commonly associated with the Continental C90 series engine, producing 90 hp, although individual aircraft records should be checked carefully because older examples may have had approved engine, propeller or equipment changes. Useful load is modest by modern standards, typically around 500 lb, depending on empty weight, equipment and national certification records.
The cabin seats two occupants side by side under the high wing, with simple access and a compact vintage cockpit layout. Visibility is generally good for training and scenic flying, while baggage capacity is limited and should be confirmed on the individual weight and balance schedule. Avionics are not comparable with modern integrated suites such as Garmin G1000 or Garmin Perspective. Most surviving aircraft use basic VFR instrumentation, engine gauges, a radio and, where required, a transponder. Some may have portable or panel-mounted GPS units, modern 8.33 kHz radios or updated emergency equipment.
Prospective buyers should treat condition, documentation and maintenance history as more important than equipment level. Key inspection areas include fabric condition, corrosion in the steel-tube structure, wooden wing and strut integrity where applicable, landing gear attachment points, control cables, engine time, propeller condition and completeness of historical logbooks. The used-market position is niche: the Scheibe SF-23 Sperling appeals to collectors, vintage aircraft enthusiasts and clubs seeking an economical, uncommon two-seat aircraft. Values are usually driven by airworthiness status, restoration quality, engine condition and the availability of type-specific parts and expertise.