Glaser-Dirks DG-400
| DG-400 | |||||||||
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| Role | 18 metre class sailplane | ||||||||
| National origin | Germany | ||||||||
| Manufacturer | Glaser-Dirks | ||||||||
| Designer | Wilhelm Dirks | ||||||||
| First flight | May 1981 | ||||||||
| Introduction | 1981 | ||||||||
| Number built | 290 | ||||||||
| Developed from | Glaser-Dirks DG-200 | ||||||||
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|} The Glaser-Dirks DG-400 is a single-seat self-launching motorglider that was produced by Glaser-Dirks between 1981 and 1990. It was the first self-launching motorglider with retractable engine and propeller to be produced in large numbers. DevelopmentThe cost of carbon-fibre had fallen enough in the late 1970s to allow its use in the wing spars of high-performance gliders. Glaser-Dirks introduced a carbon wing variant of the DG-200 about this time. Designer Wilhelm Dirks realised that the span, strength and very low weight of this wing allowed for a self-launching engine to be carried in the glider without an unacceptable penalty when soaring in weak conditions. The DG-400 was created as a result. It first flew in May 1981. The DG-400 uses the wings and most systems of the DG-202. It has a modified fuselage with a slightly enlarged tailcone and carbon fibre reinforcements to accommodate the engine, which is a relatively large unit with electric starter and electric retraction. This powerful installation, with a user-friendly engine control unit, made the DG-400 easier to operate than other self-launching gliders. As was typical for the time, the engine, propeller and supporting pylon constitute a single unit that extends into the airflow (in more recent self-launchers the engine usually stays inside the fuselage). The type may be flown either with 15 metre or 17 metre wingtips. The DG-400 was not aimed at competitions, but rather at leisure flying. Nevertheless, several World Gliding Records have been achieved flying this type. Specifications (17 metre wings)Data from [1] General characteristics
Performance
ReferencesExternal links
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