Druine D.31 Turbulent
Roger Druine · France · first flew 1950 · light aircraft
The Druine D.31 Turbulent is a French single-seat ultra-light monoplane designed by Roger Druine specifically for amateur construction, offering simple woodwork and a modest engine requirement.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 5.3 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Tiny single-seat French homebuilt monoplane
- Open cockpit with minimal instrumentation
- Designed for amateur construction from plans
Very small low-wing monoplane with an open cockpit, narrow fuselage and a tiny engine; easily confused with the Jodel family but distinguished by its smaller size and simpler wing.
Specifications
- The Druine D.31 Turbulent has a length of 5.3 m (17 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 6.53 m (21 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 201 km/h (125 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Roger Druine designed the Turbulent in France and first flew it in 1950; plans were widely distributed and it became one of the most popular homebuilt designs in Europe. The British firm Rollason Aircraft also produced it commercially as the Turbulent.
Variants
The Rollason Turbulent was a factory-built British version; minor structural variants arose from different builders interpreting the plans.
Where you'll see it
Hundreds of Turbulents have been built worldwide by amateurs; the type remains in active use and is recognised by the LAA in the UK.
Related aircraft
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