State-of-the-art glider up to 270 km/h fast
The Salzburg Air Sports Association (LSV) has now officially put the DG 1001-M into operation with the blessing of the Church. Its top speed is 270 km/h. The two-seater giant can also be used as a trainer for white pilots. It has a wingspan of 20 meters and is therefore significantly larger than most of the never small gliders anyway.
The ceremonial dedication of the aircraft and the christening had been planned for a long time after the purchase. So far, however, various CoV lockdowns have gotten in the way of the LSV. A few days ago the Hangar-Fest 2022 at Salzburg Airport in the Maxglan district was ready.
Gliding from the Gaisberg to Mattighofen
The very high glide ratio of 46, which tests this glider, means in practice an incredible achievement of modern flight physics for many amateurs. “From the Dachstein summit at 3,000 meters above sea level, a gliding flight would be possible with the DG 1001-M, for example to Schärding on the flat north-western border of Upper Austria,” says the Salzburg pilot and flight instructor Michael Strele. A machine of this type would still make it from the Gaisberg in Salzburg to Mattighofen in the Innviertel. Without drive and in still air. In the event of a headwind, these services would be reduced accordingly.
German manufacturer leading
“We are very happy with the new plane in the club,” report experienced club members: “But we don’t use it for the basic training of young pilots. However, he is ideally suited for course instruction in further training.”
They emphasize that the DG 1001-M opens up completely new possibilities for ambitious pilots, namely long cross-country flights – with a very low risk of unplanned outlandings: “This aircraft was built and instrumented in Germany with the utmost perfection. He flies sensationally well. You are also in a more comfortable sitting or sitting position. Lying down on the go – a great thing for long flights.”
Small auxiliary motor folds out
So far, the giant has been anonymous. Now his official name is “Stefan” – named after the Salzburg provincial councilor responsible for sports and transport, Stefan Schnöll (ÖVP). The politician comes from the municipality of Wals (Flachgau), which is quite close to Salzburg Airport. He has been watching the air traffic over Salzburg with great enthusiasm since childhood, said Schnöll, before splashing a little champagne over the sailor’s nose at the christening.
Michael Strele is also enthusiastic about the new acquisition. The pilot and flight instructor at the LSV with motor aircraft of various types. However, a large part of his aviator soul is devoted to aerobatics with high-performance gliders.
Strele has known the properties of this model for a long time: “The DG 1001-M is a multi-talent. The wingspan alone with high wing aspect ratio gives an idea of the performance of this modern two-seater. Fast, silent flights are possible – using only the energy of the sun and wind – over several hundred kilometers and many hours. The machine is also equipped with a 67 HP strong and extendable auxiliary power unit. This makes it even more flexible at the start and on the track if you need the engine for a short time. However, cross-country flights always happen quickly without this help,” says the pilot.
Trial flights from Zell am See airfield
Many of the older LSV club members have now dedicated themselves to nurturing youngsters after flying records in their younger years. They travel with flight students or take care of interested newcomers who want to make initial contacts on trial flights: “If someone then feels the desire to learn this wonderful type of flying, then after the winter break there will be trial flights with very experienced people again. An incredibly beautiful experience in the magnificent mountains around Zell am See,” said a 78-year-old from Salzburg, who eleven years ago was a top athlete in long-distance flight on the podium of the Austrian championship.