Robin Dr 300

Single Piston

The Robin DR 300 series represents a distinctly French approach to light aircraft design, produced by Centre-Est Aéronautique (later Avions Pierre Robin) from 1968 through the late 1980s. Unlike the ubiquitous American high-wing trainers, the DR 300 family features a low-wing configuration with a distinctive cranked-wing design that provides excellent visibility and ground clearance without complex retractable gear. The series spans several engine variants — the DR 315 with 115 hp, DR 340 with 125 hp, DR 360 with 160 hp, and DR 380 with 180 hp Lycoming engines — all sharing the same rugged airframe and spacious four-seat cabin that made them popular with French aero-clubs and private owners. The type's handling characteristics favor docility over performance, with a wide speed range between its 47-knot stall and 165-knot never-exceed limit, making it forgiving for low-time pilots while still offering respectable cross-country capability. The DR 300's all-metal construction and fixed tricycle gear prioritize simplicity and low operating costs, though its relatively high wing loading compared to American contemporaries gives it a more stable ride in turbulence. Production ceased in the late 1980s as Robin shifted focus to composite designs, but several hundred examples remain active across Europe, particularly in France where they continue serving flight schools and private owners who value their solid build quality and straightforward systems. SkyMeter has tracked flights across airframes and operators, with distinct routes observed.