Introductory and passenger flights with the Robin DR400 from Biel-Kappelen

The Robin DR400 is one of the best-known French light aircraft and has been a common sight at airfields throughout Europe since the 1970s. Designed as a versatile training, touring, and recreational aircraft, it has proven itself over decades thanks to its balanced flight characteristics and distinctive design.

The Robin DR400's distinctive gull wings are particularly striking, giving it not only its unmistakable appearance but also contributing to its pleasant flight characteristics. The generously glazed cabin offers excellent views, making the HB-EXU an ideal aircraft for sightseeing flights. From Biel-Kappelen, you can discover the Three Lakes Region, the Jura Mountains, and the Swiss Alps from a truly unique perspective.

The Robin DR400 stands for comfortable yet direct flying. Thanks to its balanced flight characteristics, characteristic gull wings, and generously glazed cabin, you'll experience the flight with exceptional intensity. The outstanding all-around visibility provides unobstructed views of the landscape, making the Robin an ideal aircraft for extended sightseeing flights. Whether over the Three Lakes Region, along the Jura Mountains, or with a view of the Bernese Alps, aboard the HB-EXU you'll experience the diverse landscape from a completely new perspective.

Whether a leisurely scenic flight or a more dynamic flight experience with steeper turns to directly experience the Robin DR400's flight feel: The flight can be individually tailored to your wishes, your personal well-being and the respective flight conditions, within the scope of possibilities.

Whether a scenic flight over the Three Lakes Region and the Jura Mountains, along the Chasseral, over the city of Bern, or a more extensive flight towards the Bernese Oberland and the Alps: From Biel-Kappelen, you have a variety of attractive routes to choose from. Experience the diverse Swiss landscape from the unique perspective of the Robin DR400. Thanks to the generous windows, you'll enjoy excellent views of lakes, cities, hills, and the impressive mountain scenery throughout the entire flight.

Experienced pilots, personalized service, and the ability to tailor the flight to your wishes within the given conditions make your scenic flight a truly unique experience. Aboard the Robin DR400 HB-EXU, you'll experience the fascination of flying up close and discover the region around Biel, the Three Lakes Region, the Jura Mountains, and the Swiss Alps from a unique perspective. A special flight experience that you'll remember for a long time.

Scenic flights with the Robin DR400 HB-EXU are generally possible year-round and by individual arrangement. Suitable weather conditions and the availability of the aircraft and pilot are prerequisites.

From Biel-Kappelen airfield, you have a choice of several attractive routes. Depending on the flight duration booked, your scenic flight could take you, for example, over the Three Lakes Region, to the Chasseral mountain, over the city of Bern, along the Jura Mountains, or further towards the Bernese Oberland as far as the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains. The exact route can be individually tailored to your needs, taking into account the booked flight duration, current weather conditions, and available flying conditions.

At Biel-Kappelen airfield, you will be personally greeted by your pilot and get to know the Robin DR400 HB-EXU up close. During a short briefing, you will receive essential information about the aircraft and the upcoming scenic flight. Together, you will then discuss your booked route, the flight itinerary, and any individual requests. Afterwards, you will take your seat in the aircraft and embark on your personal flying experience over the Three Lakes Region, the Jura Mountains, the city of Bern, or, depending on your chosen route, towards the Bernese Oberland and the Alps. After landing, there will be ample time for questions, photos, and a personal chat with the pilot.

Please allow approximately one additional hour beyond your booked flight time for the entire experience. Besides the briefing, flight preparation, and the actual scenic flight in the Robin DR400 HB-EXU, there will be ample time for questions, photos, and a personal exchange with the pilot.

No, aerobatics are not performed during the offered sightseeing flights with the Robin DR400 HB-EXU. The flight is entirely focused on the scenic flight experience and the views of the diverse landscape. Within the limits of the aircraft's capabilities, the pilot can tailor the flight to your individual wishes, your personal comfort, and the prevailing flight conditions.

Of course! Your companions are very welcome at Biel-Kappelen airfield. The terrace of the airfield restaurant offers an excellent view of the action. Friends and family can watch the flight preparations, takeoffs, and landings up close and enjoy the waiting time with a drink or a meal in the restaurant.

Of course! Photos and videos may be taken free of charge before and after the flight.

Your flight will be conducted by experienced flight instructors and sightseeing pilots with hundreds to thousands of flight hours of experience. They are intimately familiar with the Robin DR400 HB-EXU, the region, and the various scenic flight routes. This ensures you are in expert hands throughout the entire experience and can relax and enjoy your flight.

The Robin DR400-180R HB-EXU has an interesting history in Swiss aviation. Before joining the Seeland Flying Club in Biel-Kappelen, it was in service for many years at the Schänis Alpine Gliding School. Historical photographs document the aircraft there as early as 2009.

The HB-EXU is a DR400-180R with 180 hp. The "R" stands for "Remorqueur" and designates a variant of the Robin DR400 specially equipped for glider towing. In Schänis, the HB-EXU was used accordingly as a tow plane, bringing gliders to their launch altitude. As of 2024, it was still officially documented in the flight operations of the Alpine Gliding School.

Today, the HB-EXU is based at the Seeland Flying Club in Biel-Kappelen and is used, among other things, for sightseeing flights. It thus combines the classic characteristics of the Robin DR400 with a special history in Swiss gliding. Its powerful engine and the excellent views from the generously glazed cabin make it an attractive aircraft for discovering the Seeland region, the Jura Mountains, and the Swiss Alps from the air.

The Robin DR400 is one of the best-known French light aircraft and has been a common sight at airfields throughout Europe since the 1970s. The series was developed as a versatile training, touring, and recreational aircraft and is known for its balanced flight characteristics, spacious cabin, and distinctive wing design.

The Robin DR400's distinctive gull wings are particularly striking. This design, based on the work of Jean Délémontez, not only gives the DR400 its unmistakable appearance but also contributes to its pleasant flight characteristics. Another special feature is the generously glazed canopy that extends far to the rear, providing the occupants with excellent visibility.

The HB-EXU belongs to the high-performance DR400-180R variant. It is powered by a 180 hp Lycoming engine and is designed as a tow plane for glider towing. This variant combines the proven characteristics of the DR400 with the engine power and versatility required for towing operations.

With its past as a tow plane at the Alpine Gliding School Schänis and its current use at the Seeland Flying Group, the HB-EXU combines classic French light aircraft design with an interesting piece of Swiss aviation history.

The Robin DR400-180R HB-EXU has an interesting history in Swiss general aviation. Before joining the Seeland Flying Group in Biel-Kappelen, it was in service for many years at the Schänis Alpine Gliding School. Photographs documenting the HB-EXU at Schänis airfield as early as 2009 showcasing a part of its long history in Swiss gliding.

The HB-EXU is a DR400-180R with a 180 hp Lycoming engine. The "R" stands for "Remorqueur" and designates a variant of the Robin DR400 designed for glider towing. In Schänis, the HB-EXU was used accordingly as a tow plane, bringing gliders to their launch altitude.

Outside of Schänis, the HB-EXU was also seen at various Swiss airfields. Photographs document its visits to Hausen am Albis, Bern, and Samedan, among others. As recently as 2024, the HB-EXU was officially registered as an aircraft belonging to the Alpine Gliding School Schänis.

Today, the HB-EXU is based at the Seeland Flying Club in Biel-Kappelen. This marks the beginning of a new chapter in the Swiss aviation history of this former glider tow plane. On a scenic flight, you can experience the Robin firsthand and discover the Three Lakes Region, the Jura Mountains, Bern, or, on longer routes, the Bernese Oberland and the Alps from the air.

Robin is one of the most prestigious names in French general aviation. The manufacturer's history is closely linked to Pierre Robin and the aircraft designer Jean Délémontez. Their collaboration from the 1950s onwards resulted in various light sport, training, and touring aircraft, whose design roots trace back to the renowned Jodel aircraft.

A characteristic feature of many of these aircraft is their so-called gull wings. The outer sections of the wings are angled sharply upwards. This design became a distinguishing feature of numerous Jodel and Robin aircraft and continues to define the unmistakable appearance of the DR400.

The Robin DR400 was developed in the early 1970s from earlier models of the DR series. With its wooden construction, generously glazed canopy, and characteristic gull wings, it combined proven design principles with a spacious cabin and versatile operational capabilities. The DR400 quickly established itself as a training, touring, and club aircraft and was built with various engines and configurations.

Among the more powerful variants is the DR400-180 with a 180 hp Lycoming engine. Versions specifically designed for glider towing were also developed based on this engine. These aircraft, known as "Remorqueurs," can still be found at numerous European gliding airfields today.

The HB-EXU also belongs to this family. As a Robin DR400-180R, it combines the characteristic French design of the DR400 with the performance of a tow plane. Its long history in gliding operations in Schänis makes it an interesting representative of an aircraft family that has shaped the landscape of European general aviation for more than five decades.