DG-808
DG Flugzeugbau · Germany · first flew 1996 · glider
The DG-808 is a single-seat 18m-class competition glider with a glide ratio around 50:1, designed to compete at the highest level of club and national championship soaring. It represented DG's answer to the Ventus-2 and ASG 29.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × none, embedded-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Very slender fuselage with reclined pilot and one-piece blown canopy |
| T — Tail | T-tail |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Unpowered sailplane — no engine
- 18m single-seat competition glider with T-tail and prominent winglets
- Very slender fuselage with reclined pilot and one-piece blown canopy
Identified by the T-tail, pronounced winglets, and the characteristically smooth DG fuselage with a very clean wing-root fairing. The one-piece canopy and DG serial plaque help confirm identity.
Specifications
- The DG-808 has a length of 7.05 m (23 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 18 m (59 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 280 km/h (174 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in 1996, the DG-808 was designed by DG Flugzeugbau to leverage their experience with the DG-800 motor-glider and DG-600 series. It quickly established a strong competition record and was updated to the DG-808C with refined winglets and systems.
Variants
The DG-808B introduced carbon winglets; the DG-808C brought further aerodynamic refinements. A sustainer-equipped DG-808S allows ridge and mountain soaring without trailers.
Where you'll see it
Flown by competition pilots in Germany and across Europe; several DG-808C examples are registered with the BGA for national and inter-regional competitions.
Related aircraft
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