Schempp-Hirth Duo Discus
Schempp-Hirth · Germany · first flew 1993 · glider
A 20-metre high-performance two-seat sailplane of 1993, the benchmark for fast cross-country training and two-seat competition.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × none, embedded-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 8.73 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | T-tail |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Unpowered sailplane — no engine
- Big 20-metre two-seater with gently swept-back outer wing panels
- Long tandem canopy in two sections and a tall T-tail
A big, elegant tandem two-seater: note the 20-metre span with distinctly swept-back outer panels, the two-piece canopy and T-tail. The DG-1000 has a straighter wing with prominent winglets; the older Janus has a stubbier canopy and less refined lines.
Specifications
- The Schempp-Hirth Duo Discus has a length of 8.73 m (29 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 20 m (66 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 263 km/h (163 mph).
- Typical crew: 2 (tandem).
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed to replace the Janus as Schempp-Hirth's high-performance two-seater, the Duo Discus first flew in 1993 with a 20-metre wing whose outer panels sweep noticeably back. With a glide ratio around 44:1 it brought genuine racing performance to two-seat gliding and has sold in large numbers.
Variants
The Duo Discus T added a pop-up sustainer engine, while the later Duo Discus X and XL introduced a longer cockpit, better airbrakes and higher weights; the XLT combines the XL fuselage with the turbo. It competes head-to-head with the DG-1000 and Arcus.
Where you'll see it
Larger UK clubs use Duo Discuses for advanced cross-country coaching, and private syndicates race them in BGA two-seat competitions. They are regulars in Scottish and Welsh wave, where the type has made many long UK diamond-height and distance flights.
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