Schempp-Hirth Discus-2

Single Piston

The Schempp-Hirth Discus-2 is a high-performance self-launching sailplane that bridges the gap between pure gliders and powered aircraft. Manufactured by the renowned German sailplane builder Schempp-Hirth, the Discus-2 entered production in the mid-1990s as an evolution of the original Discus design, adding a retractable single-cylinder engine—typically a Rotax two-stroke—that allows pilots to take off independently and climb to soaring altitude without a tow plane or winch. Once airborne, the engine retracts flush into the fuselage, restoring the aircraft's clean aerodynamic profile for efficient thermalling and cross-country flight. With an 18-meter wingspan and a glide ratio exceeding 40:1, the Discus-2 competes at the highest levels of sailplane racing while offering the practical advantage of self-launch capability. Its composite construction keeps empty weight around 660 pounds, and the type has proven popular among serious soaring pilots in Europe and North America who value the freedom to launch from small airfields without ground support. The Discus-2 remains in production today, with variants including the turbo-charged Discus-2T for high-altitude operations. SkyMeter has tracked 3 flights across 1 airframes and 1 operators over routes, with the largest observed operator.