Robin DR400
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| Robin DR400 | |
|---|---|
 DR.400/160 Major |
|
| Type | Four-seat light aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Avions Pierre Robin |
| Maiden flight | 1972 |
| Number built | 1292+ |
The Robin DR400 is a wooden sport monoplane, conceived by Pierre Robin and Jean Délémontez. The Robin DR400 first flew in 1972 and is still in production in 2006. It has a tricycle undercarriage, and can carry four people. The DR400 aircraft have the 'cranked wing' configuration, in which the dihedral angle of the outer wing is much greater than the inboard, a configuration which they share with Jodel aircraft. This model is considered easy to fly by many and quiet during flight due to its wooden frame. Like all wooden aircraft, the DR400 should be hangered to prevent weather damage to the wood components.
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[edit] Development
The Robin DR300 series were a developments of the earlier DR221 Dauphin and DR250 Capitaine with a tricycle landing gear. The first variant was the DR.340 Major a tricycle landing gear version of the DR250 Capitaine which first flew on 27 February 1968 followed a week later on the 21 March by the DR.315 Petit Prince a tricycle landing gear version fof the DR221 Dauphin. The DR315 was later replaced by the DR300. In 1972 an improved version the DR400 was introduced with a forward-sliding canopy.
[edit] Design
The wing, a distinctive feature of the Robin DR400, and is what immediately separates this aircraft visually from other similar light aircraft. It is a derivative of the earlier Jodel designs, is light, stiff and strong, with the dihedral of the outer panels imparting substantial lateral stability in flight. Being fabric covered, it presents a smooth surface to aid airflow, and not hindered by typical overlapping panels or rivets found on metal aircraft. The secret to the DR400's relative high performance lies in the pronounced washout in the outer panels. Since they have a lower angle of attack to the airflow than the centre section, they create less drag in cruise flight. This characteristic also embues rather benign stall behavior and DR400 subsequently does not suffer from the need to install retro-fixes like leading edge stall strips.
[edit] Variants
- DR.315 Petit Prince
- A development of the earlier DR221 with a tricycle landing gear and powered by a 115hp Lycoming O-235-C2A engine.
- DR.330
- An experimental DR.315 fitted with a 130hp Continental O-240-A engine in 1970.
- DR.340 Major
- A development of the earlier DR250 with a tricycle landing gear and powered by a 140hp Lycoming O-320-E2A engine.
- DR.360 Chevalier
- DR.340 with a solid cabin roof and a 160hp Lycoming O-320-D2A engine.
- DR.300-108 2+2
- Replacement fro the DR.315 with improved landing gear and either two or four seats.
- DR.300-120
- Four-seat DR.300 with a 120hp Lycoming O-235-L2A engine.
- DR.300-140
- DR.300 with a 140hp Lycoming O-235-E2A engine.
- DR.300-180
- DR.300 with a 180hp Lycoming O-360-A3A engine.
- DR.300-180R
- Glider tug version of the DR.300-180.
- DR.400-100 Cadet
- Two-seat version of the DR.400-108
- DR.400-108 Dauphin 80 2+2
- DR.300-108 with forward sliding canopy
- DR.400-120 Petit Prince
- DR.300-120 with forward sliding canopy
- DR.400-120 Dauphin 2+2
- Petit Prince with extra cabin windows.
- DR.400-125
- DR.400-120 with a 125hp Lycoming O-235-F engine
- DR.400-140 Earl
- DR.300-140 with forward sliding canopy
- DR.400-140B Major 80
- DR.400-140 with a 160hp Lycoming O-320-D2A
- DR.400-160 Chevalier
- Original designation for the DR.400-140B
- DR.400-180 Regent
- DR.300-180 with forward sliding canopy, later models have extra cabin windows.
- DR.400-180 Regent III
- A Nouvelle Generation DR.400
- DR.400-180R Remorqueur
- DR.400-180 glider tug with clear canopy
- DR.400-180RP Remo 212
- DR.400-180R fitted with a 212hp Porsche PFM.320 engine and 3-bladed propeller
[edit] Specifications (DR.400/180 Regent)
Data from The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985), 1985, Orbis Publishing, Page 2799
General characteristics
- Capacity: 4
- Length: 6.96 m (22 ft 10 in)
- Wingspan: 8.72 m (28 ft 7¼ in)
- Height: 2.23 m (7 ft 3¾ in)
- Wing area: 14.20 m² (152.85 ft²)
- Empty weight: 600 kg (1323 lb)
- Gross weight: 1100 kg (2425 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming O-360-A flat-four piston engine, 134 kW (180 hp)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 278 km/h (173 mph)
- Range: 1450 km (900 miles)
- Service ceiling: 4715 m (15,470 ft)
[edit] References
- Exavia Ltd (Exeter, United Kingdom)- article "A DR400 Buyers' Guide"
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985), 1985, Orbis Publishing, Page 2799
- R.W.Simpson, Airlife's General Aviation, Airlife Publishing, England, 1991, ISBN 1 85310 104 X
