G-3 Mirage

REMOS was founded in 1993 by Lorenz Kreitmayr in Eschelbach near Munich, Bavaria. The G-3 prototype, registered D-MRAE, was shown at AERO Friedrichshafen in April 1997 and made its first flight on 20 September 1997; by June 2003, according to Jane's, more than 130 aircraft were in service. In 2006 the company moved production to the aircraft development and manufacturing centre at Pasewalk airfield in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and introduced the further developed G-3/600 there. Type support was initially held by REMOS Aircraft GmbH Flugzeugbau, then by REMOS AG from 14 November 2014 – after the Stemme AG / REMOS AG merger announced in 2017 it now sits with Stemme Production GmbH in Pasewalk.

The G-3 is a two-seat strut-braced high-wing aircraft in composite construction, with a cruciform tail and tricycle gear with steerable nosewheel. German DAeC type data sheet 61109.1 covers both series together: the G-3 Mirage and the G-3/600 designation introduced in May 2008. Older paperwork still calls the very same aircraft "Gemini Remos G-3 Mirage" or "Gemini Remos G-3/600", which regularly causes confusion when comparing listings and documents. The flaps are infinitely adjustable from 0° to 40°, the fuselage tank holds 40 litres, with approved equipment options of 50, 68 or 84 litres. A rescue system is mandatory; approved units are BRS systems as well as Junkers Magnum Speed, Magnum Highspeed SP and Magnum Lightspeed SP.

With a 9.80 m span and 12.04 m² of wing area, the G-3 carries just 37.4 kg/m² at 450 kg (39.2 kg/m² at 472.5 kg). The flight manual quotes a stall speed of 63 km/h with flaps, a recommended approach speed of 95 km/h and 75 % power cruise figures of 195 km/h with the 81 hp Rotax and 200 km/h with the 100 hp version; VNE is 220 km/h – limited to 215 km/h by the type data sheet when a Junkers Magnum Speed rescue system is fitted – and manoeuvring speed is 135 km/h. Take-off distance over a 15 m obstacle is roughly 230 m (81 hp), 200 m (100 hp) or 150 m (100 hp with a variable-pitch prop), landing distance about 250 m, and best climb 5.8 to 8.0 m/s. Burning 8 to 24 litres per hour, the 68-litre tank gives ranges from 595 to 1,105 km without reserve, and the glide ratio is 15 to 17. Fitted with the Rotax 912 S/ULS the G-3 is approved for glider towing (NfL II 72/99).

Its strengths are the low wing loading with correspondingly short field performance, benign slow-flight behaviour, low fuel burn, generous tank options for touring, the towing approval with the 100 hp engine, and type support still reachable in Pasewalk. The weaknesses deserve equal honesty: the type data sheet allows only 450 kg, or 472.5 kg with a rescue system – no 600 kg approval is documented for the G-3, so useful load stays tight and the baggage compartment is limited to 30 kg. There is no standardised empty weight either; it comes from each aircraft's individual weighing report and must be checked before buying. Compared with the later GX, the G-3 is the slower, less highly stressed design at VNE 220 km/h and +4/-2 g load factors, and on early airframes the avionics and equipment reflect their era.

The G-3 Mirage suits pilots who want a light, short-field composite high-wing for circuits, training, towing and relaxed cross-country flying and can live without top speed. Across all Remos types, listings on ul-flugzeugmarkt.de currently run from 39,000 to 110,000 euros; the up-to-date range for this model is calculated live from active listings in the price box on this page. Anyone who needs 600 kg takeoff weight, higher cruise speed or the all-carbon wing should look straight at the Remos GX.