Championship Dominance
The EB-29's competitive pedigree was established when pilot Michael Sommer captured two World Gliding Championships flying EB-29 variants, cementing the aircraft's reputation as one of the world's premier racing sailplanes. The EB-29D Elektro variant has continued this winning tradition with recent victories in European and American soaring contests, demonstrating the design's ongoing competitive relevance across different powerplant configurations.
The Manufacturer's Evolution
Binder Motorenbau began as an engine specialist under Walter Binder, who initially developed retractable powerplants for his own glider before expanding to supply self-launching systems to major manufacturers including DG and Schempp-Hirth. The company's transition from engine supplier to aircraft manufacturer began with modifications to existing designs, notably using the ASH 25 fuselage with different wing configurations. This foundation led to their first complete aircraft, the two-seat EB-28, which made its maiden flight in 2007.
The German company remains remarkably small, employing just 12 people split equally between engine production and aircraft manufacturing. Still family-operated with Oliver Binder (Walter's nephew) involved in operations, the company maintains an annual production rate of approximately three aircraft per year, reflecting the specialized nature of their high-end market.
Design Philosophy and Development
Walter Binder's design objectives for the EB-29 centered on creating a single-seat variant that would surpass the EB-28's performance by replacing the "long, naturally bulky two-seater fuselage with a slim, low-drag single-seater fuselage." The timing coincided with international rule changes that increased the maximum weight limit for open-class gliders from 750 kg to 850 kg, creating opportunities for new high-performance designs with increased wing loading capabilities.
The aircraft's development reflected Binder's heritage as an engine specialist, incorporating a sophisticated retractable powerplant system that allows the EB-29 to self-launch and climb under power before retracting the engine and propeller for efficient soaring flight.
Technical Specifications and Variants
The EB-29 utilizes a Solo 2625/02 single-cylinder, four-stroke piston engine producing 48 kW (64 hp), driving a 2-bladed Binder BM-G1-160-R propeller with a 1.60-meter diameter. The aircraft's dimensions vary by wing configuration, with the 29.3-meter variant measuring 8 meters in length and 1.85 meters in height, featuring a wing area of 16.8 square meters and an impressive aspect ratio of 51.
Performance figures include a cruise speed of 160 km/h under power, a never-exceed speed of 280 km/h, and a minimum control speed of 74 km/h. The powered rate of climb reaches 2.5 meters per second, while the maximum glide ratio of 68 represents exceptional soaring efficiency.
Design Evolution
The EB-29 family has expanded through several significant variants. The original single-seat version offers three wingspan options: 25.3, 28.3, or 29.3 meters. The EB-29D features a fuselage lengthened by 25 centimeters to accommodate two seats, available with 25.3 or 28.3-meter wingspans. The EB-29DE represents an electric variant powered by an Emrax motor rated at 40 kW continuous power.
A major advancement came in 2016 with the introduction of the EB-29R, featuring a completely redesigned 28-meter "R-wing" with a thinner profile that increased maximum wing loading from 52 kg/m² to 57 kg/m². This development directly responded to competitive pressures from other high-performance designs, with the two-seat EB-29DR combining the lengthened fuselage with the new wing technology.
Market Position and Legacy
The EB-29 occupies the premium segment of the sailplane market, with a 2015 example (serial number 35) listed at $250,000, reflecting its positioning as a serious competition aircraft rather than a recreational glider. The limited production of approximately three aircraft annually has resulted in an exclusive ownership base focused on competitive soaring and cross-country flying.
Pilot Michael Sommer described the EB-29 as "a dream" and noted that "the journey of the last few decades of this small company from engine system specialist to manufacturer of probably the best glider in the world at the moment is quite extraordinary." This assessment reflects the aircraft's transformation from a small German engine company's ambitious project to a world championship-winning design that continues active production and development more than a decade after its first flight.