Unknown

The 'Unknown' is a distinctive light‑sport aircraft produced by the French‑based Robin Aircraft, introduced in 2022 as a flagship for the company’s renewed focus on modern, eco‑friendly aviation. Drawing on the lineage of Robin’s classic wooden‑frame trainers, the Unknown combines a carbon‑fiber airframe with a low‑drag wing and a fully digital cockpit. Its development began in 2020 under the codename project Aurora, a collaborative effort between Robin’s engineering team and several European universities researching advanced composites and electric propulsion. The prototype first flew in April 2021, demonstrating a 20 % reduction in fuel consumption compared with the company’s earlier DR400 series. Key features include a retractable tricycle landing gear, side‑by‑side seating, a ballistic‑recovery system, and a modular powerplant that can accommodate either a modern four‑stroke piston engine or a plug‑in hybrid electric system. The aircraft’s significance lies in its role as a bridge between traditional general‑aviation designs and the emerging market for low‑emission personal aircraft, positioning Robin Aircraft as a pioneering force in sustainable flight while preserving the nostalgic handling qualities pilots have long associated with the brand. The Unknown continues to inspire a new generation of pilots seeking greener skies.