{{Short description|Monoplane}} {{Tone|date=December 2024}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2023}} {{Infobox aircraft | name = DR400 | image = File:Robin DR400 F-GTMP.jpg | caption = DR400/100 | type = Four-seat light aircraft | manufacturer = [[Avions Pierre Robin]] | designer = Jean Délémontez and Pierre Robin | first_flight = 1972 | introduction = | retired = | status = | primary_user = | more_users = | produced = | number_built = 2,700+<ref name="auto">Guy Pellissier, 10 April 2014</ref>{{vs|date=May 2023}} | developed_from = [[Robin DR.200]] | variants = [[Robin DR500]] }}
The '''Robin DR400''' is a single-engine wooden [[monoplane]] produced by [[Robin Aircraft]] (formerly "Avions Pierre Robin"). The Robin DR400 is widely used in flight schools and for private use in France.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Dupuch |first=Kevin |date=May 2019 |title=Rapport d'activité |pages=43–44 |work=Info-Pilote |issn=0761-0718}}</ref>
== Description == The Robin DR400 was released in 1972, as a development of the DR300 series. Compared to the latter, the two major differences of the DR400 are a wider [[Aircraft cabin|cabin]] at shoulder level and a forward-sliding canopy, a new concept introduced with the [[Robin HR100|Robin HR-1]] in 1969<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Massé |first=Xavier |title=Avions Robin |publisher=Nouvelles Éditions Latines |year=2000}}</ref>{{pn|date=May 2023}}, made to replace the doors present on earlier series. The wings have a 'cranked-wing' configuration, allowing for stable cruising and safer [[Stall (fluid dynamics)|stalls]]. The [[dashboard]] is also clearer and more elevated than on previous models, allowing easier [[Flight instruments|instrument]] readings.{{cn|date=May 2023}}
The main difference between DR400 models is the engine, as the cabin remains identical between versions. The low-powered models, which go up to 120hp, are called "2+2" to indicate they can carry 2 adults and 2 children (or three adults). The other models are all four-seaters, as the 180hp engine can carry 4 [[passenger]]s, a full [[fuel tank]], and [[Baggage|luggage]].{{cn|date=May 2023}}
The design of the aircraft is old; it consists of a wooden canvas structure with a low, positive-[[Dihedral (aeronautics)|dihedral]] wing. It is the same wood and fabric type as [[Jodel]] wings. The [[landing gear]] is in the non-[[Retractable gear|retractable]], [[Tricycle landing gear|tricycle configuration]], allowing easier [[taxiing]], [[takeoff]] and [[landing]] than [[conventional landing gear]]s.{{cn|date=May 2023}}
The DR400 is very present in France, operating as a [[Trainer aircraft|training aircraft]] in [[Flight training|flight schools]] and a rental aircraft for flight clubs. In 2019, French air clubs operated 864 DR300 and DR400 models out of the 2394 training and rental aircraft available nationwide.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="crash_2025_12_08_avweek">Dubois, Thierry: [https://aviationweek.com/business-aviation/safety-ops-regulation/robin-dr400-crash-kills-three-enac-students-one-pilot "Robin DR400 Crash Kills Three ENAC Students, One Pilot Instructor,"] December 08, 2025, ''[[Aviation Week]]'' retrieved December 18, 2025</ref>
Production of the DR400 ceased in 2014, as it was replaced with the Robin DR401.<ref>{{Cite web |title=L'Histoire de Robin Aircraft |url=https://www.robin-aircraft.com/histoire/ |access-date=2023-05-16 |website=Robin Aircraft |language=fr-FR}}</ref>
== History and Development == The first [[prototype]] of the DR400, a 180hp "Régent", flew for the first time in [[Darois]] in early 1972. The production of the DR400 began on 10 May of the same year.<ref name=":1" />{{pn|date=May 2023}}
The 6 initial versions were:
* The DR400-180 "Régent", which first flew on 27 March 1972 with the registration F-WSQO{{cn|date=May 2023}} * The DR400-125 "Petit Prince", which first flew on 15 May 1972 with the registration F-WSQT{{cn|date=May 2023}} * The DR400-160 "Chevalier", which first flew on 29 June 1972 {{cn|date=May 2023}} * The DR400-180R "Remorqueur", which first flew on 6 November 1972{{cn|date=May 2023}} * The DR400-140 "Major", which first flew on 16 November 1972{{cn|date=May 2023}} * The DR400-108 "Dauphin 2+2", which first flew on 24 November 1972{{cn|date=May 2023}}
The naming system of the DR400 models is similar to that of the DR300 series, with the engine's [[horsepower]] indicated in the version names.<ref name=":1" />
The top of the canopy is usually painted on these aircraft except for the 180R (which is clear to improve visibility when [[towing]]) and the Petit Prince, whose [[Poly(methyl methacrylate)|plexiglass]] canopy is tinted on the top.{{cn|date=May 2023}}
In 1974, the 180R is equipped with an additional rear window, and in 1987, all DR400 versions are equipped with this feature. Although this may improve the aircraft's appearance, the additional mass greatly hinders the aircraft's flight capabilities. The addition of reinforcements and a firewall add 25kg to the aircraft's mass. Due to this addition, these modifications are later removed from the less powerful versions, in 1993.{{cn|date=May 2023}}
In 1975, the DR400-108 is renamed DR400-100 and the "Petit Prince" is renamed DR400-120. Later on, it is equipped with a new propeller and renamed "Dauphin" while the production of the DR400-100 is ceased in 1979.{{cn|date=May 2023}}
In 1980, the DR400 B Major is retired and replaced with the DR400 Major 80 (Still with 160hp). The new Major 80 has an extended range of 1375 km, making it a very attractive aircraft for travel.{{cn|date=May 2023}}
Due to its attractive price and good performance characteristics, the "Dauphin 2+2" is the most sold version of the DR400 family and remains so in the 21st century.<ref name=":1" />
The successor of the DR400 is the DR401, with more modern technology and increased comfort.{{cn|date=May 2023}}
==Variants== ;DR315 Petit Prince :A development of the earlier [[Robin_DR.200|DR221]] with a tricycle landing gear and powered by a 115hp Lycoming O-235-C2A engine. ;DR330 :An experimental DR.315 fitted with a 130hp [[Continental O-240-A]] engine in 1970. ;DR340 Major :A development of the earlier DR250 with a tricycle landing gear and powered by a 140hp Lycoming O-320-E2A engine. ;DR360 Chevalier :DR340 with a solid cabin roof and a 160hp Lycoming O-320-D2A engine. ;DR300/108 2+2 :Replacement for the DR.315 with improved landing gear and either two or four seats. ;DR300/120 :Four-seat DR.300 with a 120hp Lycoming O-235-L2A engine. ;DR300/140 :DR300 with a 140hp Lycoming O-320-E2A engine. ;DR300/180 :[[File:Robin DR300 D-EOCW 02.jpg|thumb|DR300-180R]]DR300 with a 180hp Lycoming O-360-A3A engine.
;DR300/180R :Glider tug version of the DR.300-180. ;DR400/100 Cadet :Two-seat version of the DR.400-108 ;DR400/108 Dauphin 80 2+2 :DR300/108 with forward-sliding canopy ;DR400/120 Petit Prince :DR300/120 with forward-sliding canopy ;DR400/120 Dauphin 2+2 :Petit Prince with extra cabin windows. ;DR400/125 :DR400/120 with a 125hp Lycoming O-235-F engine ;DR400/140 Earl :DR300/140 with forward-sliding canopy ;DR400/140B Major 80 :DR400/140 with a 160hp Lycoming O-320-D2A ;DR400/160 Chevalier :Original designation for the DR400-140B ;DR400/180 Regent :DR300/180 with forward-sliding canopy, later models have extra cabin windows. ;DR.400/180 Regent III :A ''Nouvelle Generation'' DR400 ;DR400/180R Remorqueur :DR400/180 glider tug with clear canopy ;DR400/180RP Remo 212 :DR400/180R fitted with a 212hp [[Porsche PFM 3200]] engine and 3-bladed propeller ;DR401 :[[File:Robin DR401 155CDI.jpg|thumb|A DR401-155CDI in flight]]Supplied by the resurrected [[Robin Aircraft]]. Glass cockpit, larger cockpit, electric trim and flaps, range of engine options, variants for "long range" and "aerotow".<ref>[http://www.robin-aircraft.com/en/robin-new-aircraft-10.html DR401 the next DR400 generation] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924091641/http://www.robin-aircraft.com/en/robin-new-aircraft-10.html |date=24 September 2015 }} ''robin-aircraft.com'' Retrieved 29 August 2015</ref>
[[File:Robin_DR401_155CDI_IFR_panel.jpg|thumb|alt=The image shows the cockpit of a DR401-155CDI, the old style instrument is replaced by a full glass cockpit. No old gauges can be seen. The stick has also been reworked to offer a trim directly on it, as well as an Autopilot disconnect button.|Cockpit of a DR-401-155CDI equipped with full glass cockpit and IFR certified.]]
== Specifications == [[File:Dreiseitenansicht Robin DR 400.svg|frameless|right|3-view line drawing of the Robin DR 400]]
[[File:Cockpit of a Robin DR400.jpg|thumb|Cockpit of a DR400-120]] Over the years, the dashboards of the DR400 have evolved. A noticeable difference is that some aircraft are not equipped with pedal-brakes but rather with a brake handle located between the two front seats. Some other differences can be noticed such as the presence (or lack of) [[Annunciator panel|warning panels]].{{cn|date=May 2023}}
The DR400 is also available with a [[glass cockpit]]. {| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" ! ! Dauphin 2+2 ! Dauphin 4 ! Major ! Régent ! Remo 180 ! Remo 200 |- | Engine | [[Lycoming O-235]] | [[Lycoming O-320]] | [[Lycoming O-320]] | [[Lycoming O-360]] | [[Lycoming O-360]] | [[Lycoming O-360|Lycoming IO-360]] |- | Horsepower | 118 | 160 | 160 | 180 | 180 | 200 |- | Propeller | Two bladed, fixed pitch | Two bladed, fixed pitch | Two bladed, fixed pitch | Two bladed, fixed pitch | Two bladed, fixed pitch | Two bladed, variable pitch |- | Capacity | 2+2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |- | Wingspan (m) | 8.72 | 8.72 | 8.72 | 8.72 | 8.72 | 8.72 |- | Length (m) | 6.96 | 6.96 | 6.96 | 6.96 | 6.96 | 7.22 |- | Height (m) | 2.23 | 2.23 | 2.23 | 2.23 | 2.23 | 2.23 |- | Wing Surface (m) | 13.60 | 13.60 | 14.20 | 14.20 | 13.60 | 13.60 |- | Empty Weight (kg) | 550 | 580 | 598 | 610 | 592 | 650 |- | Max. Weight (kg) | 900 | {{formatnum:1000}} | {{formatnum:1050}} | {{formatnum:1100}} | {{formatnum:1000}} | {{formatnum:1100}} |- | Useful Load (kg) | 350 | 420 | 452 | 490 | 408 | 450 |- | Max. Speed (km/h) | 241 | 265 | 271 | 278 | 270 | 270 |- | Cruising Speed (km/h) | 215 | 215 | 245 | 260 | 230 | 250 |- | Stall Speed (km/h) | 82 | 99 | 93 | 95 | 87 | 91 |- | Range (km) | 928 | 860 | {{formatnum:1530}} | {{formatnum:1278}} | | |- |} Source<ref name=":1" />.{{pn|date=May 2023}}
== References == {{Commons category}} {{reflist}} *Exavia Ltd (Exeter, United Kingdom)- article "A DR400 Buyers' Guide" * The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982–1985), 1985, Orbis Publishing, Page 2799 * R.W.Simpson, ''Airlife's General Aviation'', Airlife Publishing, England, 1991, {{ISBN|1-85310-194-X}} * {{cite book |editor-last= Taylor |editor-first= John W. R. |editor-link=John W. R. Taylor |title=Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1976–77 |year=1976 |publisher=Jane's Yearbooks |location=London |isbn= 0-354-00538-3 }}
{{Robin aircraft}}
[[Category:Robin aircraft|DR400]] [[Category:Low-wing aircraft]] [[Category:Glider tugs]] [[Category:1970s French civil utility aircraft]] [[Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft]] [[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1972]] [[Category:Aircraft with fixed tricycle landing gear]] [[Category:Single-engined piston aircraft]]