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 retracts into the lower fuselage.
The DG-500/18 is mainly intended for flight training, and is fully aerobatic with +7/-5 g rating. There is also a motorglider version, the DG-500M.[1] 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.
The DG-500 also holds the all-time altitude record for manned gliders, at 50,000 ft, on 30 August 2006 by Steve Fossett and Einar Enevoldson, breaking the previous record by 1,713 ft (522 m). It was a standard DG-500M but the engine had been removed and replaced with liquid oxygen tanks. Additional instruments were installed powered by non-rechargeable batteries. The canopy had double-wall glazing and there was an drogue parachute for an emergency descent from high altitude. Pressure suits were worn.[2] .
[edit] Variants
- DG-500
- Initial production
- DG-500/18
- Aerobatic version
- DG-500/22
- with 22m span wings
- DG-500M
- Motorglider version of the DG-500
- DG-505
- improved DG-500
- DG-505 Orion
- Production version built in Slovenia
- DG-505MB
- Motorglider version of the DG-505
[edit] Specifications (18-metre wings)
General characteristics
- Crew: 1 pilot
- Capacity: 1 passenger
- Length: 8.66 m (28 ft 5 in)
- Wingspan: 17.20 m (56.43 ft in)
- Empty weight: 380 kg (838 lb)
- Gross weight: 615 kg (1,356 lb)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 270 km/h (168 mph)
- Maximum glide ratio: 39.4
- Rate of sink: 0.58 m/s (114.17 ft/min)
[edit] See also
- Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
- Related lists
[edit] References
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