Deutsches Forschungsinstitut für Segelflug
Darmstadt-Griesheim

• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

The Deutsche Forschungsanstalt für Segelflug ( German for "German Research Institute for Soaring" or "German Institute for Glider Research"), or DFS , was founded in 1933 under the leadership of Professor Walter Georgii to centralize all gliding activities in Germany . It came about through the nationalization of the Rhön-Rossitten-Gesellschaft (RRG) in Darmstadt .

DFS was involved in the manufacture of training gliders for the Hitler Youth and the Luftwaffe , and conducted research into advanced technologies such as flying wings and rocket propulsion . Notable aircraft produced by the DFS include the DFS 230 transport glider (1600+ produced), the German counterpart of the British Airspeed Horsa glider, and the DFS 194 , similar to the famous Messerschmitt Me 163 rocket fighter .

After a fatal accident on the Wasserkuppe, the DFS launched a competition in 1938 to develop a more effective speed brake for gliders. The final design, manufactured by Wolfgang and Ulrich Hütter of Schempp-Hirth , is still in use today and is commonly referred to as "Schempp-Hirth airbrakes".

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•