D 31 Turbulent

About the D 31 Turbulent

The Druine D.31 Turbulent is a French fixed-wing ultralight homebuilt aircraft designed for a single pilot. Conceived by Roger Druine as an amateur-built machine, it features a cantilever low-wing configuration and fixed tailwheel landing gear, utilizing wood construction with fabric covering.

The design gained notable fame through the Tiger Club display team in the United Kingdom, where formation flying exhibitions became a staple of the air display scene. A British company produced a series of factory-built examples as well as modified variants featuring strengthened wing spars to secure a full certificate of airworthiness. In the late 1960s, a member of the British royal family piloted a specific example during an air race victory, marking a unique milestone for the single-seat type. Rights to the plans are held by the UK Light Aircraft Association.