Glaser-Dirks DG-500
| DG-500 | |
|---|---|
| |
| A DG-505 ridge soaring in Pennsylvania U.S.A. | |
| Role | Two Seater Class sailplane |
| National origin | Germany |
| Manufacturer | Glaser-Dirks |
The Glaser-Dirks DG-500, and later the DG-505, is a two-seat glider of glass-reinforced plastic and carbon fiber reinforced plastic construction, manufactured in the DG Flugzeugbau GmbH in Bruchsal, Germany. The glider is a trainer with an 18 metre wingspan or a high-performance glider with 20 or 22 m span. The 22-metre version also has wing flaps. The fuselage is the same in all versions, with the exception of the additional control connections for the wing flaps in the 22-metre version. The main landing gear (a single wheel) for both versions is retractable (into the lower fuselage).
The DG-500/18 is mainly intended for flight training, and is fully aerobatic with +7/-5 g-unit rating. There is also a motorglider version, the DG-500M. The DG-500/22 can carry up to 160 kg of water ballast which is not possible on the trainer version. Since 2004, the latest version of the DG-500 has been built as the "DG-505 Orion" in Slovenia.
Specifications (18-metre wings)
General characteristics
- Crew: Two
Performance
- Maximum glide ratio: 45