DG-300
Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau · Germany · first flew 1983 · glider
The Glaser-Dirks DG-300 is a single-seat Standard-class glider with a glide ratio around 42:1 that was a leading competition aircraft through the mid-1980s. Its refined construction and handling made it a favourite among club and national team pilots alike.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × none, embedded-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 6.71 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | T-tail |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Unpowered sailplane — no engine
- 15m Standard-class glider with T-tail and small cockpit canopy
- Very clean composite wing with a near-elliptical planform
Identify by the T-tail, slender 15m wing, and the slightly squared-off wingtip compared to the LS family. The DG serial plate and instrument arrangement help differentiate from LS4 or ASW 19.
Specifications
- The DG-300 has a length of 6.71 m (22 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 15 m (49 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 255 km/h (158 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in 1983, the DG-300 incorporated a new Wortmann wing section and improved fuselage mouldings compared to the DG-200. Production continued until the early 1990s, with the Club Joker variant introducing a fixed undercarriage for club use.
Variants
The DG-300 Club (Joker) introduced a fixed monowheel for simpler operation; the DG-300 Elan brought a sustainer engine. Production transferred to Elan d.o.o. in Slovenia for some batches.
Where you'll see it
Hundreds remain in service across European gliding clubs; several UK BGA-registered examples compete at regional and inter-club level.
Related aircraft
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