European Facility For Airborne Research

European Facility For Airborne Research Dec. 5, 2025, 07:57

Aircraft: C 208 - DLR

  1. Aircraft & Instruments
  2. Aircraft
  3. Aircraft: C 208 - DLR
C 208 - DLR
Aircraft acronym C 208 - DLR Registration number D-FDLR
Operator Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR) Transnational Access status Open to TA
Manufacturer Cessna Aircraft Company, C-208 B Grand Caravan Open to access status Closed for access
Aircraft type Research Engine category Turbo propeller
Categories Land/Sea surface properties, Troposphere

Dimensions

  • Length: 12.6 m
  • Height: 4.6 m
  • Wingspan: 16.0 m
Airplane dimensions 12.6 m 4.6 m 16.0 m

Flying performances

Speed
Min speed 50 m/s
Max speed 85 m/s
Usual speed during measurements 0 m/s
Usual speed during transit flights 75 m/s
Ascent rate 3 m/s
Altitude
Min altitude
  • Above sea: 200 ft
  • Above ground: 500 ft
Max ceiling 20 000 ft
Usual ceiling during measurements 15 000 ft
Ceiling limitations

n/c
Payload
Empty weight 2 545 kg
Max take-off weight 3 977 kg
Max payload 1 200 kg
Max scientific payload n/c
Usual scientific payload during measurements 483 kg
Scientific payload for max endurance n/c
Endurance
Max endurance at min scientific payload and max fuel 5 h (Y-coordinate of 1st point)
Endurance at max scientific payload n/c
Range
Max range 1 026 km (at min scientific payload and max fuel)
Conditions for max range

At FL180, 2224 lbs fuel, 45 min reserve
Range at max scientific payload None km
Usual range during measurement flight 0 km
Other
Weather conditions limitations

VFR, IFR. Max. alt. in icing conditions : 20000 ft (when equipped with appropriate options)
Take-off runway length 740 m
Engines

1 x Pratt&Whitney PT6A 114A
Avionics

2 NAV / COM / Glideslope Transceivers, 1 HSI, 1 NAV Indicator, 1 RMI, 1 Intercom System with cabin speakers, 5 cabin stations and Marker Beacon, 1 DME with indicator, 2 Transponder with encoding Altimeter,1 Autopilot, 1 Yaw Damper, 1 Altitude preselect with vertical speed, 1 colour weather radar, 1 IFR approach capable GPS approved for IFR flight under TSO C-129, Class A1, which allows IFR navigation for en route, terminal, and non-precision approach. Choice of Atlantic, Pacific or America���?�s database.
Additional high resolution NAV system :
computer controlled navigation system (CCNS4) and AEROcontrol for aerial survey flight missions (manufactured by IGI, Germany)
5-inch control and display unit for both pilot and sensor operator
Single crew operation for sensor missions is possible
WWMP software enables the user to make flight plans based on topographic maps of target country.
DGPS data are available via the Fugro OmniSTAR SYSTEM

Crew and scientists on board
Crew (pilots + operators)

VFR 2 pilots ; IFR 2 pilots + 1 Mechanic
Seats available for scientists

1 - 8

Cabin
Length 6.40 m
Width 1.57 m
Height 1.30 m
Apertures

cargo door: W1.23 m x H1.23 m
main door: W0.55 m x H1.24 m
Cabin pressurized

no
More information

no

Aircraft modifications
Nose boom

no
Windows

no
Openings

2 openings at the the bottom of fuselage are provided to install cameras, scanners and other instruments (H0.68 m x W0.63 m) ; 2 openings (D0.15 m each) at the bottom fuselage ; 2 openings at the cabin-top opposite the large camera-ports for installation of antennae or other light sensors.
Hard points

1 hard point below each wing (max 120 kg)
Inlets

n/c
Additionnal systems

no

Acquisition systems

Storage medium : 2 card bus hard discs (512 MB)
ARINC 429 and RS232/RS485

Electrical power
Aircraft total electrical power (kW)

DC 28 V max 200 A (VFR) 100 A (IFR)
AC 220 V/50 Hz ; 115 V/400 Hz
Electrical power (kW) and voltages (V) available for scientists

28 V max 200 A (VFR) / 100 A (IFR)Conversion to 220 V/50 Hz ; 115 V/400 Hz available on request. 4 sockets fused with 50 amps and 4 sockets fused with 20 amps (28VDC).
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