English name: Dolphin
TYPE: Four-seat lightplane.
PROGRAMME: First flight original DR 400 Petit Prince 15 May 1972; based on DR 300 (388 built), but with forward-sliding canopy; DR 400/100 Cadet (two-seat) and DR 400/108 Dauphin 80 included among early versions. French and UK certification 1977; DR 400 Dauphin introduced 1979; improvements introduced 1988 and 1993.
CURRENT VERSIONS: DR 400/120 Dauphin 2+2: Production version with 88.0 kW (118 hp) engine, to carry two adults and two children. Based on DR 400/120 Petit Prince, but with extra cabin windows.
DR 400/125i: Version of Dauphin 2+2 with fuel injected 93.2 kW (125 hp) Teledyne Continental IO-240 driving three-bladed Muhlbauer constant-speed propeller, diameter 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in); prototype (F-WNNK) first flown 1995 and made its public debut at the Paris Air Show in June 1995; engine/propeller combination improves take-off, climb and cruising performance and reduces noise levels; one delivered in 1996. No evidence of production.
DR 400/140B Dauphin 4: Full four-seater with 119 kw (160 hp) engine. Previously known as Major 80, which replaced DR 400/140 Earl.
DR 400/160 and DR 400/180: Described separately.
CUSTOMERS: Some 1,850 of DR 400 series built by early 2003, including 30 in 2002, of which at least eight/120s and eight/140Bs. Recent exports mainly to Germany, Switzerland and UK.
DESIGN FEATURES: Generally as for R 2120.
Wing section NACA 23013.5 modified with leading-edge droop; centre panels parallel chord, slight twist; outer panels tapered with dihedral 14°; twist -6°.
FLYING CONTROLS: Manual. Conventional ailerons and rudder. All-moving tailplane with trimmable anti-balance tab on each side; plain flaps.
STRUCTURE: All-wood; single box spar with ribs threaded over box; plywood-covered leading-edge box; fabric covering elsewhere; fuselage plywood-covered; flaps all-metal and interchangeable; ailerons interchangeable.
LANDING GEAR: Non-retractable tricycle type, with oleo-pneumatic shock-absorbers and hydraulically actuated disc brakes. All three wheels and tyres are size 380x150, pressure 1.57 bar (23 lb/sq in) on nose unit, 1.77 bar (26 lb/sq in) on main units. Nosewheel steerable via rudder bar. Fairings over all three legs and wheels. Tailskid with damper. Toe brakes and parking brake.
POWER PLANT: Dauphin 2+2: One 88.0 kW (118 hp) Textron Lycoming o-235-L2A flat-four engine, driving a Sensenich 72CKS6-0-56 two-blade, fixed-pitch aluminium propeller, or Hoffmann two-blade wooden propeller.
Dauphin 4: One Textron Lycoming O-320-D2A flat-four engine developing 104 kW (140 hp) at 2,300 rpm and 119 kW (160 hp) at 2,700 rpm. Sensenich 74DM6S5-2-64 propeller.
Both versions have fuel tank in fuselage, capacity 110 litres (29.1 US gallons; 24.2 Imp gallons) with filler port on left side; Dauphin 4 has optional 51 litre (13.5 US gallon; 11.2 imp gallon) auxiliary tank, with filler port on right side. Oil capacity 5.7 litres (1.5 US gallons; 1.25 Imp gallons).
ACCOMMODATION: Enclosed cabin, with seats for three or four persons. Maximum weight of 154 kg (340 lb) on front pair and 136 kg (300 lb), including baggage, at rear in Dauphin 2+2. Additional 55 kg (121 lb) of disposable load in Dauphin 4. Access via forward-sliding jettisonable transparent canopy. Dual controls standard. Cabin heated and ventilated. Baggage compartment with internal access.
SYSTEMS: Standard equipment includes a 12 V 50 A alternator, 12 V 32 Ah battery, electric starter, audible stall warning and windscreen de-icing.
AVIONICS: Radio, blind-flying equipment, and navigation, landing and anti-collision lights, to customer's requirements.
