DG Flugzeugbau Dg-1000t

Single Piston

The DG-1000T is a high-performance two-seat self-launching motorglider built by Germany's DG Flugzeugbau, combining the soaring efficiency of a pure sailplane with the convenience of a retractable Rotax 505 piston engine. Introduced in the early 2000s as the powered variant of the DG-1000 glider, it features an 18-meter or optional 20-meter wingspan and exceptional glide ratios exceeding 40:1, allowing pilots to climb under power to altitude, shut down and retract the engine, then soar for hours on thermals or ridge lift. The motorglider is popular with gliding clubs for training and cross-country flights, offering the flexibility to launch without a towplane or winch and the safety margin to reach an airport if lift disappears. With a maximum takeoff weight of 1,653 pounds and stall speeds in the low 40-knot range, the DG-1000T operates in a unique performance envelope: slower than most powered aircraft but capable of sustained unpowered flight that would be impossible for conventional trainers. Its VNE of 155 knots and structural cruising speed of 135 knots provide adequate margins for cloud flying and cross-country speed, while the clean aerodynamic design and side-by-side seating make it an effective platform for teaching both soaring techniques and powered flight fundamentals. The type is certified under European CS-22 sailplane standards and operates primarily in the gliding and flight training communities. SkyMeter has tracked 163 flights across 17 airframes and 6 operators, with US AIR FORCE the largest observed operator.