Robin Dr 400

Single Piston

The Robin DR 400 is a distinctive French light aircraft instantly recognizable by its all-sliding bubble canopy and cranked-wing design, built by Avions Pierre Robin (later Apex Aircraft) since 1972. Unlike conventional high-wing trainers or low-wing sport planes, the DR 400 family features a mid-mounted wing with a pronounced upward dihedral on the outer panels, giving it unusual stability characteristics and excellent visibility for touring. The sliding canopy—which moves aft to open the entire cockpit to the sky—became a signature feature that set Robin aircraft apart from American and other European designs of the era. The DR 400/120 variant, designated RS12 in ICAO codes, is powered by a 120-horsepower Lycoming O-235 engine and seats four in a relatively spacious cabin, making it a popular choice for flight schools and private owners across Europe. With a maximum takeoff weight of 2,535 pounds and a never-exceed speed of 174 knots, the Dauphin 2+2 offers respectable cross-country performance while remaining docile enough for training. The type's wooden wing construction—a Robin hallmark—combined with a steel-tube fuselage keeps maintenance straightforward, and the aircraft's benign stall characteristics and wide speed range (stall at 49 knots with flaps, cruise comfortably at 120 knots) make it versatile for both instruction and personal travel. While never as numerous in North America as Cessnas or Pipers, the DR 400 earned a loyal following in Europe and remains in production today under the Robin Aircraft name. SkyMeter has tracked 2 flights across 2 airframes and 2 operators, with PRASAD SHARAD the most frequently observed operator.