The Robin DR400 is a single-engine wooden

monoplane A monoplane is a fixed-wing aircraft configuration with a single mainplane, in contrast to a biplane or other types of multiplanes, which have multiple wings. A monoplane has inherently the highest efficiency and lowest drag of any wing con ...

produced by

Robin Aircraft Robin Aircraft is a French manufacturer of light aircraft. It succeeds to ''Centre-Est Aéronautique'', ''Avions Pierre Robin'' and Apex Aircraft (''Avions Robin'' and ''Robin Aviation''). History Centre-Est Aéronautique was formed by Pierre R ...

(formerly "Avions Pierre Robin"). The Robin DR400 is widely used in flight schools and for private use in France.

Description

The Robin DR400 was released in 1972, as a development of the DR300 series. Compared to the latter, the two major differences of the DR400 are a wider cabin at shoulder level and a forward-sliding canopy, a new concept introduced with the Robin HR-1 in 1969, made to replace the doors present on earlier series. The wings have a 'cranked-wing' configuration, allowing for stable cruising and safer stalls. The

dashboard A dashboard (also called dash, instrument panel or IP, or fascia) is a control panel (engineering), control panel set within the central console of a vehicle, boat, or cockpit of an aircraft or spacecraft. Usually located directly ahead of the ...

is also clearer and more elevated than on previous models, allowing easier instrument readings. The main difference between DR400 models is the engine, as the cabin remains identical between versions. The low-powered models, which go up to 120hp, are called "2+2" to indicate they can carry 2 adults and 2 children (or three adults). The other models are all four-seaters, as the 180hp engine can carry 4

passenger A passenger is a person who travels in a vehicle, but does not bear any responsibility for the tasks required for that vehicle to arrive at its destination or otherwise operate the vehicle, and is not a steward. The vehicles may be bicycles, ...

s, a full

fuel tank A fuel tank (also called a petrol tank or gas tank) is a safe container for Flammability, flammable fluids, often gasoline or diesel fuel. Though any storage tank for fuel may be so called, the term is typically applied to part of an engine sys ...

, and

luggage Baggage, or luggage, consists of bags, cases, and containers which hold a traveler's personal articles while the traveler is in transport, transit. A modern tourist, traveler can be expected to have packages containing clothing, toiletries, sma ...

. The design of the aircraft is old; it consists of a wooden canvas structure with a low, positive- dihedral wing. The low wing provides good

visibility In meteorology, visibility is the measure of the distance at which an object or light can be clearly discerned. It depends on the Transparency and translucency, transparency of the surrounding air and as such, it is unchanging no matter the amb ...

of the aircraft's

surroundings Surroundings, or environs is an area around a given physical or geographical point or place. The exact definition depends on the field. Surroundings can also be used in geography (when it is more precisely known as vicinity, or vicinage) and ...

. It is the same wood and fabric type as

Jodel Société Avions Jodel is a French aircraft company started in 1946 by Édouard Joly and his son-in-law Jean Délémontez. History Jodel designed a range of light aeroplanes shortly after the World War II, Second World War. Popular myth has i ...

wings. The

landing gear Landing gear is the undercarriage of an aircraft or spacecraft that is used for taxiing, takeoff or landing. For aircraft, it is generally needed for all three of these. It was also formerly called ''alighting gear'' by some manufacturers, s ...

is in the non- retractable, tricycle configuration, allowing easier

taxiing Taxiing (rarely spelled taxying) is the movement of an aircraft on the ground, under its own power, in contrast to towing or pushback (aviation), pushback where the aircraft is moved by a tug. The aircraft usually moves on wheels, but the term ...

takeoff Takeoff is the phase of flight in which an aerospace vehicle leaves the ground and becomes airborne. For aircraft traveling vertically, this is known as liftoff. For aircraft that take off horizontally, this usually involves starting with a tr ...

and

landing Landing is the last part of a flight, where a flying animal, aircraft, or spacecraft returns to the ground. When the flying object returns to water, the process is called alighting, although it is commonly called "landing", "touchdown" or " spl ...

than

conventional landing gear Conventional landing gear, or tailwheel-type landing gear, is an aircraft Landing gear, undercarriage consisting of two main wheels forward of the Center of gravity of an aircraft, center of gravity and a small wheel or skid to support the tail ...

s. The DR400 is very present in France, operating as a

training aircraft A trainer is a class of aircraft designed specifically to facilitate flight training of pilots and aircrews. The use of a dedicated trainer aircraft with additional safety features—such as tandem flight controls, forgiving flight characteristic ...

in flight schools and a rental aircraft for flight clubs. In 2019, French air clubs operated 864 DR300 and DR400 models out of the 2394 training and rental aircraft available nationwide. Production of the DR400 ceased in 2014, as it was replaced with the Robin DR401.

History and Development

The first

prototype A prototype is an early sample, model, or release of a product built to test a concept or process. It is a term used in a variety of contexts, including semantics, design, electronics, and Software prototyping, software programming. A prototype ...

of the DR400, a 180hp "Régent", flew for the first time in

Darois Darois () is a commune in the Côte-d'Or department in eastern France. Population Economy Dyn'Aéro has its headquarters in Darois. The 6 initial versions were: * The DR400-180 "Régent", which first flew on 27 March 1972 with the registration F-WSQO * The DR400-125 "Petit Prince", which first flew on 15 May 1972 with the registration F-WSQT * The DR400-160 "Chevalier", which first flew on 29 June 1972 * The DR400-180R "Remorqueur", which first flew on 6 November 1972 * The DR400-140 "Major", which first flew on 16 November 1972 * The DR400-108 "Dauphin 2+2", which first flew on 24 November 1972 The naming system of the DR400 models is similar to that of the DR300 series, with the engine's

horsepower Horsepower (hp) is a unit of measurement of power, or the rate at which work is done, usually in reference to the output of engines or motors. There are many different standards and types of horsepower. Two common definitions used today are t ...

indicated in the version names. The top of the canopy is usually painted on these aircraft except for the 180R (which is clear to improve visibility when

towing Towing is coupling two or more objects together so that they may be pulled by a designated power source or sources. The towing source may be a motorized land vehicle, vessel, animal, or human, and the load being anything that can be pulled. ...

) and the Petit Prince, whose

plexiglass Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is a synthetic polymer derived from methyl methacrylate. It is a transparent thermoplastic, used as an engineering plastic. PMMA is also known as acrylic, acrylic glass, as well as by the trade names and bran ...

canopy is tinted on the top. In 1974, the 180R is equipped with an additional rear window, and in 1987, all DR400 versions are equipped with this feature. Although this may improve the aircraft's appearance, the additional mass greatly hinders the aircraft's flight capabilities. The addition of reinforcements and a firewall add 25kg to the aircraft's mass. Due to this addition, these modifications are later removed from the less powerful versions, in 1993. In 1975, the DR400-108 is renamed DR400-100 and the "Petit Prince" is renamed DR400-120. Later on, it is equipped with a new propeller and renamed "Dauphin" while the production of the DR400-100 is ceased in 1979. In 1980, the DR400 B Major is retired and replaced with the DR400 Major 80 (Still with 160hp). The new Major 80 has an extended range of 1375 km, making it a very attractive aircraft for travel. Due to its attractive price and good performance characteristics, the "Dauphin 2+2" is the most sold version of the DR400 family and remains so in the 21st century. The successor of the DR400 is the DR401, with more modern technology and increased comfort.

Variants

;DR315 Petit Prince :A development of the earlier DR221 with a tricycle landing gear and powered by a 115hp Lycoming O-235-C2A engine. ;DR330 :An experimental DR.315 fitted with a 130hp Continental O-240-A engine in 1970. ;DR340 Major :A development of the earlier DR250 with a tricycle landing gear and powered by a 140hp Lycoming O-320-E2A engine. ;DR360 Chevalier :DR340 with a solid cabin roof and a 160hp Lycoming O-320-D2A engine. ;DR300/108 2+2 :Replacement for the DR.315 with improved landing gear and either two or four seats. ;DR300/120 :Four-seat DR.300 with a 120hp Lycoming O-235-L2A engine. ;DR300/140 :DR300 with a 140hp Lycoming O-320-E2A engine. ;DR300/180 : Robin DR300 D-EOCW 02

DR300 with a 180hp Lycoming O-360-A3A engine. ;DR300/180R :Glider tug version of the DR.300-180. ;DR400/100 Cadet :Two-seat version of the DR.400-108 ;DR400/108 Dauphin 80 2+2 :DR300/108 with forward-sliding canopy ;DR400/120 Petit Prince :DR300/120 with forward-sliding canopy ;DR400/120 Dauphin 2+2 :Petit Prince with extra cabin windows. ;DR400/125 :DR400/120 with a 125hp Lycoming O-235-F engine ;DR400/140 Earl :DR300/140 with forward-sliding canopy ;DR400/140B Major 80 :DR400/140 with a 160hp Lycoming O-320-D2A ;DR400/160 Chevalier :Original designation for the DR400-140B ;DR400/180 Regent :DR300/180 with forward-sliding canopy, later models have extra cabin windows. ;DR.400/180 Regent III :A ''Nouvelle Generation'' DR400 ;DR400/180R Remorqueur :DR400/180 glider tug with clear canopy ;DR400/180RP Remo 212 :DR400/180R fitted with a 212hp

Porsche PFM 3200 The Porsche PFM 3200 was a six-cylinder horizontally opposed Engine cooling, air-cooled aircraft engine developed by Porsche from its air-cooled line of automobile engines from the famous Porsche 911 sports car. The PFM designation was derived ...

engine and 3-bladed propeller ;DR401 : Robin DR401 155CDI

Supplied by the resurrected

. Glass cockpit, larger cockpit, electric trim and flaps, range of engine options, variants for "long range" and "aerotow".DR401 the next DR400 generation
''robin-aircraft.com'' Retrieved 29 August 2015 Robin_DR401_155CDI_IFR_panel

Specifications

Over the years, the dashboards of the DR400 have evolved. A noticeable difference is that some aircraft are not equipped with pedal-brakes but rather with a brake handle located between the two front seats. Some other differences can be noticed such as the presence (or lack of) warning panels. The DR400 is also available with a

glass cockpit A glass cockpit is an aircraft cockpit that features an array of electronic (digital) flight instrument display device, displays, typically large liquid-crystal display, LCD screens, rather than traditional Analog device, analog dials and gauges ...

. Source.

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, * {{Robin aircraft

DR400 The Robin DR400 is a single-engine wooden monoplane produced by Robin Aircraft (formerly "Avions Pierre Robin"). The Robin DR400 is widely used in flight schools and for private use in France. Description The Robin DR400 was released in 1972, ...

Low-wing aircraft Glider tugs 1970s French civil utility aircraft Single-engined tractor aircraft Aircraft first flown in 1972 Aircraft with fixed tricycle landing gear Single-engined piston aircraft