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The Discus - designed to JAR 22, category "U" specifications - is successor to the Standard Cirrus, of which more than 700 were built. As the winner of the World Championships from 1985 to 1995, the Discus not only is the most successful Standard Class sailplane in recent years but has set new standards in this class in every respect.

While the fuselage of the Discus, except for some minor modifications, originates from the Ventus, the wing is an entirely new design and easily recognized by its multi-stage swept back leading edge.

This sweep back - together with an optimum taper and chord of the outer wing region - contributes substantially to the prevention of drag effects caused by a lateral flow in the boundary layer along the tailing edge, ensuring that the wing generates more lift at lower drag than conventional planforms.

The gain in performance, resulting from this concept, is real - not only in climb with high ballast loads but also in the glide at higher speeds - and is both admitted by competition pilots from all over the world and sufficiently proven by the countless successes of the Discus.

Nevertheless, this sailplane is by no means only suitable for the top pilots. Thanks to it's pleasant and docile flight handling characteristics, the Discus has long been a favorite with clubs too. 

 

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Technical data 

Wing span	15.00 m	49.21 ft
Wing area	10.58 m²	113.88 ft²
Aspect ratio	21.3	21.3
Fuselage length	6.58 m	21.59 ft
Empty weight approx.	230 kg	507 lb
Max. A. U. W.	525 kg	1157 lb
Max. Wing loading	50 kg/m²	10.24 lb/ft²
Min. Wing loading	29.5 kg/m²	6.04 lb/ft²
Min. Cockpit load including equipment	120 kg	265 lb
Maximum speed in calm air VNE	250 km/h	135 kt
Maximum speed in rough air	200 km/h	108 kt
Stall speed	66 km/h	36 kt
Min. Sink rate	0.59 m/s	116 fpm
Best L/D	~ 43	~ 43