Service History
The Arcus E served as a technological stepping stone in the evolution of electric aircraft propulsion, operating primarily within gliding clubs and private syndicates focused on sustainable aviation. With over 400 Arcus variants built by December 2023, the series established itself as the benchmark for modern 20-meter two-seat gliders, though the electric E variant represented only a small portion of total production before ending in 2016.
Notable achievements included long-distance flights leveraging the aircraft's spacious cockpit for extended operations. One Arcus completed a remarkable 3,000-kilometer flight in the United States, demonstrating the type's capability for sustained high-performance soaring with adequate space for oxygen systems and battery packs during marathon flights.
The Manufacturer
Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH traces its lineage to Sportflugzeugbau Göppingen, founded in spring 1935 by Martin Schempp and Wolf Hirth in Göppingen, Germany. The company relocated to Kirchheim unter Teck in 1937 for serial production of the Gö-4, establishing the manufacturing base that continues today. Early innovations included the Gö-1 "Wolf," which achieved first flight in late 1935 with over 100 units built, and the groundbreaking Gö-3 "Minimoa," the first high-performance glider to exceed 100 units in series production while introducing water ballast systems.
By 2023, Schempp-Hirth produced approximately 100 gliders annually, ranking among the world's largest glider manufacturers while maintaining operations under its original company name—a remarkable 88-year continuity in aviation manufacturing.
Engine & Technical Innovation
The Arcus E utilized the EM42 electric motor, developed in collaboration with Lange Aviation and based on proven technology from the Antares 20E electric glider. This powerplant represented a significant departure from the series' conventional Solo engine options, which included the Solo 2350 producing 26-30 horsepower for sustainer variants and the more powerful Solo 2625-02i generating 64-68 horsepower for self-launching variants.
The aircraft's revolutionary design centered on its completely new wing featuring full-span flaperons—control surfaces functioning simultaneously as flaps and ailerons. This innovation, sharing only the fuselage with the earlier unflapped Duo Discus, enabled smooth low-speed performance while maintaining exceptional high-speed efficiency. The wing design incorporated the latest aerodynamic research, optimizing glide ratio, handling characteristics, and climbing performance.
Pilot Perspective
Pilots praised the Arcus series for its side-by-side seating configuration, particularly valuable for training operations and long-duration flights. The spacious cockpit accommodated necessary equipment for extended cross-country soaring, including oxygen systems and electronic devices. With a wing loading range of 37-54.5 kilograms per square meter, the aircraft offered versatility across varying flight conditions.
Maximum speeds reached 275-280 kilometers per hour, while the 50:1 glide ratio represented world-class performance in the two-seat category. The full-span flaperon system provided pilots with unprecedented control authority, enabling precise handling across the complete speed envelope from thermaling to high-speed inter-thermal transitions.
Production & Legacy
The Arcus E's production ended in 2016, marking the conclusion of Schempp-Hirth's early electric aircraft experiment. However, the broader Arcus series continued production through 2023, with examples operating across multiple continents. Australian registrations included VH-IAR (construction number 28), VH-FTT (construction number 30), and VH-GDV (construction number 15). New Zealand saw ZK-GBF (construction number 115, Arcus M variant) registered on July 7, 2015, to the Arcus Syndicate of Wellington.
The aircraft's 8.73-meter length and 15.6-square-meter wing area established new standards for 20-meter class gliders. Its maximum takeoff weight of 750-850 kilograms, combined with an empty weight of 420 kilograms, provided substantial payload capacity for extended operations.
While the electric E variant represented a brief technological exploration, the Arcus series fundamentally advanced civilian soaring by demonstrating that flapped two-seat gliders could achieve performance rivaling single-seat competition aircraft. The design's success validated Schempp-Hirth's engineering approach and established templates for subsequent high-performance glider development worldwide. Examples continue flying today, with the type featured in flight simulation software including FlightGear, ensuring its technological legacy reaches new generations of virtual and actual pilots.