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Meet the aircraft
The LS8 was developed by Rolladen-Schneider and later produced by DG. Its slender fuselage, long wing and single-seat cockpit reflect its cross-country soaring role. The design became established in both Standard-class and 18-metre competition flying. The LS8-18 name identifies the longer-span configuration.
Aircraft background
Wikipedia contributors · Read more ↗A familiar glider gains a different way to keep going
Hall brought earlier LS8 experience to his flight in the electric-sustainer version. After an uncomplicated crosswind tow from grass, the new winglets made the glider feel steadier to him. He enjoyed its response in autumn thermals and found familiar LS8 qualities beneath the changes, although unwanted cockpit noise remained a criticism. The motor introduced another kind of enjoyment.
Nordic Gliding · October 2019. LS8-e neo with FES and 15 m wings; Hall also recalls earlier LS8 flights with 15 m and 18 m tips. The tested configuration differs from the LS8-18.
Nordic Gliding · Read more ↗Into the cockpit
YouTube DXHUNTER · 12 min ·
Flight with the LS8 -15 Glider
A cockpit flight in the 15-metre LS8 configuration, offering a related-variant perspective.
Related variant · LS8-15; this catalogue entry also covers LS8-18
Watch on YouTube ↗Preview images are served by AirframeDB. Videos open on YouTube only when you choose to watch.
Meet DG Aviation LS8-18
The LS8 was developed by Rolladen-Schneider and later produced by DG. Its slender fuselage, long wing and single-seat cockpit reflect its cross-country soaring role. The design became established in both Standard-class and 18-metre competition flying.
The LS8-18 name identifies the longer-span configuration. The simulator products have their own launch options, ballast and cockpit instruments.
DG Aviation LS8-18
Aircraft type designators
Use the code for the model you are flying. The linked authority lists the applicable aircraft.
DG Aviation LS8-18 — unpowered glider; ICAO special designator
ICAO — special designators ↗Checked 2026-09-14History & design
Development milestones
First flight: 1994
Wikipedia contributors · Rolladen-Schneider LS8 ↗Rolladen-Schneider LS8 · family/variant named by the source · Wikipedia revision 1362125804
Pilot accounts
A familiar glider gains a different way to keep going
Hall brought earlier LS8 experience to his flight in the electric-sustainer version. After an uncomplicated crosswind tow from grass, the new winglets made the glider feel steadier to him. He enjoyed its response in autumn thermals and found familiar LS8 qualities beneath the changes, although unwanted cockpit noise remained a criticism.
The motor introduced another kind of enjoyment. Its prompt response let him try brief assistance while searching for lift, instead of treating an engine start as a large interruption. He described the system as straightforward to manage, with conversation over the radio still possible while it ran. His report combines enthusiasm for the familiar glider with impressions specific to the FES installation.
Nordic Gliding · October 2019. LS8-e neo with FES and 15 m wings; Hall also recalls earlier LS8 flights with 15 m and 18 m tips. The tested configuration differs from the LS8-18.
Read the full account · Nordic Gliding ↗A late start becomes a memorable cross-country day
Back took off late from Bruchsal on a day promising unusually strong soaring conditions. He aimed for a good Bundesliga result, following a route towards Bamberg and then west towards Pirmasens before returning. The manufacturer’s account describes strong climbs and useful cloud streets helping him maintain speed even against a headwind.
There was enough day left for another leg towards Walldürn, extending the outing after the scored speed window. DG reported the day’s Bundesliga win and an OLC-Plus flight of 830 kilometres. These results concern that flight and its weather conditions.
DG Aviation manufacturer report · 14 July 2020. LS8-e neo “71”; a reported flight, not a first-person interview or an evaluation of the unpowered LS8-18.
Read the full account · DG Aviation ↗Learning from friendly rivals on an unpromising day
Jesty entered a friendly task week whose weather offered little encouragement for long flights. He valued the reason it gave him to launch on days when he might otherwise have left the glider packed away. Following other pilots across country, then discussing their choices afterwards, made the competition a learning experience.
On the final day, several pilots launched even after the planned task was cancelled. Jesty’s first few kilometres were painfully slow, but improving weather eventually let him finish the route and continue towards the Malvern Hills. Close scoring and a corrected clerical error left the Ventus ahead. His enthusiasm rested on the company, shared retrieves and useful flying as much as the result.
Dartmoor Gliding Society Club News · August 2010. Sid’s Task Week at Nympsfield, flying his LS8 with 18 m tips; the post was uploaded by Steve Lewis.
Read the full account · Dartmoor Gliding Society Club News ↗In your simulator
Systems, equipment and documentation for each developer’s aircraft.
Compare simulator versions →MSFS 2024LS8-18
Microsoft Flight Simulator · Released
LS8-18
Microsoft Flight Simulator · Released
MSFS 2020LS8-18
Microsoft Flight Simulator · Released
LS8-18
Microsoft Flight Simulator · Released
Aircraft specifications
Published figures for the named real-aircraft variant. Simulator equipment and performance can differ.
| Specification | Published value |
|---|---|
| Length | 6.72 m (22 ft 1 in) |
| Wingspan | 15.00 m (49 ft 3 in) |
| Height | 1.33 m (4 ft 4 in) |
| Wing area | 10.5 m² (113 sq ft) |
| Empty weight | 250 kg (550 lb) |
| Gross weight | 525 kg (1,155 lb) |
| Maximum speed | 280 km/h (175 mph, 152 kn) |
Manuals & resources
Find your next read
Choose a topic for a short introduction and a link to the original source. Simulator references identify the developer and edition they cover.
Pilot account
A familiar glider gains a different way to keep goingNordic Gliding · October 2019. LS8-e neo with FES and 15 m wings; Hall also recalls earlier LS8 flights with 15 m and 18 m tips. The tested configuration differs from the LS8-18.
Hall brought earlier LS8 experience to his flight in the electric-sustainer version. After an uncomplicated crosswind tow from grass, the new winglets made the glider feel steadier to him. He enjoyed its response in autumn thermals and found familiar LS8 qualities beneath the changes, although unwanted cockpit noise remained a criticism. The motor introduced another kind of enjoyment.
Bernt Hall
Nordic Gliding · Read the source ↗A late start becomes a memorable cross-country dayDG Aviation manufacturer report · 14 July 2020. LS8-e neo “71”; a reported flight, not a first-person interview or an evaluation of the unpowered LS8-18.
Back took off late from Bruchsal on a day promising unusually strong soaring conditions. He aimed for a good Bundesliga result, following a route towards Bamberg and then west towards Pirmasens before returning. The manufacturer’s account describes strong climbs and useful cloud streets helping him maintain speed even against a headwind. There was enough day left for another leg towards Walldürn, extending the outing after the scored speed window.
Holger Back
DG Aviation · Read the source ↗Read the original documentation from the people who created it. Manuals open on their publisher’s website.
Manual
Microsoft Flight Simulator aircraft manualsMicrosoft / aircraft developersAircraft background
Rolladen-Schneider LS8Wikipedia contributors · Research background · Wikipedia revision 1362125804 · retrieved 2026-09-12Resource
MSFS 2024 FAQ and edition aircraft inventoryMicrosoft MSFS 2020 FAQ and edition aircraft inventoryMicrosoftType designator
ICAO — special designatorsInternational Civil Aviation Organization · Glider and motorglider categories; checked 2026-09-14Built-in force-feedback profiles
Read the documentary basis, editable starting settings and remaining questions for the aircraft you fly. Each explanation refers to the exact profile revision shown.
Catalogue programme-20261022-v1 · 1 profile choice
DG Aviation LS8-18
Free and Pro · Revision 2 · Partial review
MSFS 2024 · MSFS 2020
DG Aviation LS8-18: Airspeed-dependent loading supports the glider’s chosen stick response.
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