Robin Dr400

Single Piston

The Robin DR400 series, built by French manufacturer Avions Pierre Robin (later Apex Aircraft), is instantly recognizable by its distinctive cranked wing—a gull-wing configuration that provides excellent visibility and docile handling. First flown in 1972 as an evolution of the earlier Jodel designs, the DR400 family became one of Europe's most popular touring and training aircraft, with over 1,500 examples produced across numerous variants. The R100 designation typically refers to the DR400/100 Cadet, the entry-level model powered by a 100-horsepower Lycoming O-235 engine, designed primarily for flight training and private touring. The DR400's unusual wing geometry—anhedral inboard, dihedral outboard—was not merely aesthetic; it delivered stable, forgiving flight characteristics while maintaining good short-field performance. The type's all-wood construction (spruce and plywood) and sliding canopy gave it a glider-like feel, and its relatively low stall speeds (49 knots in landing configuration) made it popular with European flying clubs. Maximum cruise speed sits around 120 knots, with a range of approximately 600 nautical miles—modest by modern standards but well-suited to the European touring mission for which it was designed. While never achieving the global ubiquity of Cessna or Piper singles, the DR400 carved out a loyal following in France, the UK, and other European markets, prized for its efficient operation, pleasant handling, and distinctive character. Production continued into the 2000s under various ownership structures, and many examples remain active on European registers today. SkyMeter has tracked 11 flights across 1 airframes and 1 operators, with activity spanning routes.