Glaser-Dirks DG-400
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| Type designation | DG-400 |
| Competition class | 18 metre |
| Number built | 290 |
| Crew | 1 |
| Length | 7 m |
| Height | m |
| Cockpit width | 0.62 m |
| Cockpit height | 0.81 m |
| Wingspan | 17 m |
| Wing area | 10.57 m² |
| Aspect ratio | 27.34 |
| Wing profile | FX 67-K-170 |
| Empty mass | ca. 310 kg equipped |
| Water ballast | 90 kg |
| Maximum mass | 460 kg |
| Wing loading | ca. 37 - 43.5 kg/m² |
| Maximum speed | 270 km/h |
| Maneuver speed | 190 km/h |
| Minimum sink | ca. 0.54 m/s |
| Glide ratio | 45 |
| Roll rate | ca. 3.5 - 4 s (-45º to +45º) |
| Engine type | Rotax 505 2 cylinder 2 stroke |
| Engine power | ca. 43 hp |
| Fuel tanks | 20 litres (50 as option) |
| Take-off run | ca. 170 m (460 kg, ISA) |
| Distance to clear 15 m obstacle | ca. 270 m (460 kg, ISA) |
| Climb rate | m/s (sea level) m/s (at 3000 m) |
| Best climb speed | 90 km/h |
| Range in 'saw-tooth' operation | 380 km with 20 l |
The Glaser-Dirks DG-400 is an 18 metre single-seat motorglider produced by Glaser-Dirks between 1981 and 1990. It was the first motorglider with retractable engine and propeller produced in large numbers.
History
The cost of carbon-fibre had fallen enough in the late 1970's to allow its use in the wing spars caps of higher-end 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 the first time a self-launching engine to be carried in a glider without an unnacceptable penalty in weak weather soaring ability. Thus was born the DG-400, whose first flight took place in May of 1981.The DG-400 uses the wings and most systems of the DG-202. A modified fuselage with a slightly enlarged boom and carbon fibre reinforcements was required for the engine, which is a relatively large unit with electric starter and electric retraction. As typical for the time, the engine extends into the airflow together with the propeller and supporting pylon. This powerful installation, associated with a user-friendly engine control unit - a field where DG Flugzeugbau continues to lead up to this day - ensured that the DG-400 was significantly safer and easier to operate than other self-launching gliders, ensuring its success.
The type was not aimed at competitions, but rather at leisure flying. Nevertheless, several World Gliding Records were achieved in DG-400s.
Although superseded by more modern self-launching sailplanes, the DG-400 is still very popular, being one of the favourites in the second-hand market.
Sources
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