TYPE: Four-seat lightplane.

PROGRAMME: Prototype (F-WZZY), then known as DR 400/200i, first flew 5 June 1997; revealed at Paris Air Show, 13 June. Renamed as above but certified as DR 400/500.

CURRENT VERSIONS: DR 500/200i President: As described.
DR 500 Super Regent: 180 hp engine, lacks fuel injection. None built.
DR 500C: One aircraft, F-WZZY, (c/n 27) registered for undisclosed trials in 2002.

CUSTOMERS: Deliveries began in 1998 with eight aircraft. Total 41 built by mid-2002 for owners in France, Germany, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland and UK; none in latter part of that year.

DESIGN FEATURES: Uprated version of DR 400/180 Regent, including that version's 14.20 m² (152.8 sq ft) wing; 149 kW (200 hp) Textron Lycoming IO-360-A1B6 engine driving a Hartzell F7 666A-2 constant-speed propeller; width of cabin increased by 10 cm (4 in) and headroom by same amount; IFR instrumentation as standard; Honeywell avionics, including KAP 140 autopilot. Fuel capacity increased. Flaps electrically operated.

Differences from DR 400/180 listed below:

LANDING GEAR: Nosewheel size 15 x 6.00-5, maximum pressure 1.8 bar (26 lb/sq in); mainwheel size 330x150, pressure 2.0 bar (29 lb/sq in).

POWER PLANT: One 149 kW (200 hp) Textron Lycoming IO-360-A1B6 driving a Hartzell two-blade, constant-speed metal propeller. Fuel contained in four tanks: two, each of capacity 40 litres (10.6 US gallons; 8.8 Imp gallons), in wingroots; main tank, capacity 105 litres (27.7 US gallons; 23.1 Imp gallons), below cabin floor; and fourth tank, capacity 90 litres (23.8 US gallons; 19.8 Imp gallons), below baggage compartment. Total capacity of 275 litres (72.6 US gallons; 60.5 Imp gallons).

ACCOMMODATION: Four adults, or two plus three children. Baggage shelf at rear of seats; upward-opening rear window on port side doubles as baggage door.