Valentin Taifun 17E

Its characteristic features are the retractable landing gear, flaps and airbrakes on top of the wings. Thanks to this design, it can be used in a wide range of areas, such as flight training, touring flights and high-performance gliding. In the 1970s, composite materials had become dominant in glider construction, which led to distinct performance improvements. The manufacturers applied their design and manufacturing experience also to powered gliders. In the early 1980s, the first new powered gliders entered the market. The Taifun had its maiden flight in 1981. Until the cessation of production in 1990, 136 Taifuns were built. A special feature of this plane are its foldable wings. They can be quickly and easily dismounted on the ground. Thus, the aircraft requires less space for parking in a hangar.

• Manufacturer: Valentin GmbH, Königsbrunn, 1985
• Wingspan: 17.0 m
• Take-off weight: 820 kg
• Wing load: 46.6 kg/m²
• Cruising speed: 205 km/h
• Minimum sink rate: 1.15 m/s at 95 km/h
• Best glide ratio: 28.6 at 110 km/h
• Power plant: 4-cylinder boxer engine Limbach L 2000
• Power: 59 kW