The Wills Wing U2 is an American high-wing, single-place, hang glider, designed and produced by Wills Wing of Orange, California since 2003. The aircraft is supplied complete and ready-to-fly.[1]
U2 | |
---|---|
Role | Hang glider |
National origin | United States |
Manufacturer | Wills Wing |
Introduction | 2003 |
Status | In production (2016) |
Produced | 2003-present |
Design and development
editThe U2 was conceived as a recreational intermediate glider with performance nearing that of competition gliders, like the Wills Wing T2. The U2 is made from 7075 aluminium alloy tubing, with the 84% double-surface wing covered in Dacron sailcloth. The U2 includes a variable geometry (VG) system that tensions the sail for higher glide performance.[1][2]
The two models available are each named for their wing area in square feet.[1]
The glider is also sold by Tecma Sport of France as the Techma Sport U2.[3]
Variants
edit- U2 145
- Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 31.3 ft (9.5 m) span wing is cable-braced from a single king post. The nose angle is 125–128° depending on VG setting, wing area is 145 sq ft (13.5 m2) and the aspect ratio is 6.8:1. The glider empty weight is 63 lb (29 kg) and the pilot hook-in weight range is 140 to 220 lb (64 to 100 kg). The glider model was HGMA certified in 2003.[1][2][4]
- U2 160
- Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 33.1 ft (10.1 m) span wing is cable braced from a single kingpost. The nose angle is 125–128° depending on VG setting, wing area is 160 sq ft (15 m2) and the aspect ratio is 6.8:1. The glider empty weight is 68 lb (31 kg) and the pilot hook-in weight range is 160 to 260 lb (73 to 118 kg). The glider model was HGMA certified in 2003.[1][2][4]
Specifications (U2 145)
editData from Bertrand and manufacturer[1][2]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Wingspan: 31 ft 4 in (9.55 m)
- Wing area: 145 sq ft (13.5 m2)
- Aspect ratio: 6.8:1
- Empty weight: 63 lb (29 kg)
Performance
- Never exceed speed: 53 mph (85 km/h, 46 kn)
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 50. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
- ^ a b c d "U2". Wills Wing. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
- ^ Tecma Sport. "Tecma U2". tecma-sport.com. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
- ^ a b Wills Wing Support. "HGMA Certified Wills Wing Gliders". Wills Wing. Retrieved March 9, 2016.