Глазер-Диркс DG 400: 1981 жылғы жеке орындық моторпланер

German single seat motor glider, 1981

The Glaser Dirks DG 400 is a single seat self launching motorglider that was produced by Glaser Dirks between 1981 and 1992. It was the first self launching motorglider with retractable engine and propeller to be produced in large numbers.

The 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.