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Siren D 77 Iris

  Design of the D 77 Iris single-seat training sailplane was started in 1973 by Siren SA, who were well known as manufacturers of aircraft components and equipment. The prototype first flew on 26 February 1977 and made its public ДальшеMore>>> debut at that year's Paris Salon Aeronautique; after the manufacturer's tests were completed, tests by the CEV (Centre d'Essais en Vol) followed early in 1978, after which certification got under way. Production of the Iris and of the E 75 Silene is now the responsibility of Societe Issorie-Aviation, which was formed late in 1977 by the President of Siren SA following the bankruptcy of Wassmer-Aviation; approximately 50 D 77s had been ordered by February 1979 when production was due to begin. Of glassfibre/plastic foam sandwich construction, the Iris is also available in kit form for homebuilders, and has cantilever mid-set wings of Bertin E55-166 aerofoil section and glassfibre/polyester/PMC sandwich construction, with glassfibre ailerons and metal Schempp-Hirth air brakes in the upper surfaces. The fuselage is a glassfibre/polyester monocoque built in two halves and reinforced at the wing attachment points. As originally designed, the Iris had a cantilever T-tail but this was changed to one with a low-set fixed-incidence tailplane and a spring tab in each elevator; the tail is of similar construction to the wings. There is a non-retractable unsprung monowheel with a Siren hydraulic brake, and a tailskid. The pilot sits in an adjustable semi-reclining seat under a one-piece flush-fitting cockpit canopy which opens sideways to starboard.


Span: 44 ft 3 1/2 in
Length: 20 ft 10 3/4 in
Height: 3ft 11 1/4 in
Wing area: 122.7 sqft
Aspect ratio: 16.0
Empty weight: 485 lb
Max weight: 727 lb
Max speed: 145 mph (in smooth air)
Max aero-tow speed: 105 mph
Min sinking speed: 2.3 ft/sec at 50 mph
Best glide ratio: 33:1