The DG-400, a self launching glider based on the DG-202, was designed by William Dirks and had its maiden flight in 1981. It has a 15 m Span, or with optional wing tips, a span of 17 m to increase lift. The wings of DG-400 are made of CFRP, the fuselage from GRP with CFRP in the engine. The engine, a Rotax 505 with 43 horsepower, with an electric motor for stert-up and engine retract.

290 DG-400's were built by Glaser Dirks aircraft, now DG aircraft. They had good customer response to the engine display and control unit DEI, which allows even the less technically skilled persons a simplest way of a engine control. This control unit has continued to be developed and is still in production.


Technical Data
DG-400
DG-400/17
Wingspan 15 m 17 m
Wing area 10 sq.m 10.57 sq.m
Wing Loading 38.6 - 48 kg / m 36.9 - 43.5 kg / m
Fuselage length 7 m 7 m
Empty weight 306 kg 310 kg
Max. Take-off weight including water ballast (minimum 80kg) 480 kg 460 kg
Ballast water 90 kg 90 kg
Min. speed 65 km / h 63 km / h
Best Glide 42 45
Min. sink 0.6 m / s 0.54 m / s
Engine
Rotax 505 with 38 kW


DG-400 profile
DG-400 Detail Photos

See other examples at

Airliners.net
PlanePictures.net



Acknowledgements :-

Wikipedia
Daser Glirks