AL-12: New ultralight sailplane

The US distributor of Aeros hang gliders has announced that the
Ukranian company's ultralight sailplane has had it's first flight.
This craft was built using the wing of Aero's rigid wing hang glider,
the Stalker. It was designed to be towed up by the same tugs hang
gliders use. I wonder what happens when one tries to tow an
ultralight sailplane with the same towplanes we use?

Some specs:
Weight: 80 kilos
Stall speed: 34-40 kph
VNE: 140 kph
Max L/D: 27 at 60 kph
Min sink: .5 - .6 (units not specified) at 45 kph

Details (very few) and photos at
http://www.justfly.com/news/al12info.htm

ISoar wrote:
The US distributor of Aeros hang gliders has announced that the
Ukranian company's ultralight sailplane has had it's first flight.
This craft was built using the wing of Aero's rigid wing hang glider,
the Stalker. It was designed to be towed up by the same tugs hang
gliders use. I wonder what happens when one tries to tow an
ultralight sailplane with the same towplanes we use?

Well, there is "ultralight" and there is ultralight. This one may not
meet the US definition of ultralight if that 80 kilos doesn't include
the rescue system. It still looks like an interesting design for the
microlift category.

The SparrowHawk does meet the US definition of ultralight (less than 155
pounds/70.3 kg), but it has a much higher wing loading (5 to 6
pounds/sqf) than this glider, and can be easily towed with Pawnees, etc.
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Eric Greenwell
Washington State
USA

It looks like it could be launched by the 'discus launch
method' used by some radio-controlled gliders. Instead
of a human spinning around, as a discus-thrower does,
I could envision some type of mechanical device rotating
at the proper speed and connected to the wing tip.
Should be an interesting launch!

I'll watch others do it...

Ray Lovinggood
Carrboro, North Carolina, USA

At 23:24 23 March 2004, Isoar wrote:
The US distributor of Aeros hang gliders has announced
that the
Ukranian company's ultralight sailplane has had it's
first flight.
This craft was built using the wing of Aero's rigid
wing hang glider,
the Stalker. It was designed to be towed up by the
same tugs hang
gliders use. I wonder what happens when one tries
to tow an
ultralight sailplane with the same towplanes we use?

Some specs:
Weight: 80 kilos
Stall speed: 34-40 kph
VNE: 140 kph
Max L/D: 27 at 60 kph
Min sink: .5 - .6 (units not specified) at 45 kph

Details (very few) and photos at
http://www.justfly.com/news/al12info.htm

If I did the math correctly.. Vne of 140kph is about 75knts or well within
the lower range of most tow planes like the Pawnee. The key would be what is
it's Va speed or the "max aero tow" speed. That would be the governing
factor.

Summer aero tows out here, you do not want to be above Va (Maneuver) speed,
they can be a rodeo ride. And the max aero tow may be based on the strength
where the tow hook is attached to the aircraft.

BT

"ISoar" wrote in message
om...
The US distributor of Aeros hang gliders has announced that the
Ukranian company's ultralight sailplane has had it's first flight.
This craft was built using the wing of Aero's rigid wing hang glider,
the Stalker. It was designed to be towed up by the same tugs hang
gliders use. I wonder what happens when one tries to tow an
ultralight sailplane with the same towplanes we use?

Some specs:
Weight: 80 kilos
Stall speed: 34-40 kph
VNE: 140 kph
Max L/D: 27 at 60 kph
Min sink: .5 - .6 (units not specified) at 45 kph

Details (very few) and photos at
http://www.justfly.com/news/al12info.htm

My ultralight SparrowHawk tows quite well behind a Pawnee, thank you.
11,100 ft over the mountians from Crystal on Sat. Nice 80 kt cruise and the
smallest diameter turns you've ever seen. Having fun in Cal.
"ISoar" wrote in message
om...
The US distributor of Aeros hang gliders has announced that the
Ukranian company's ultralight sailplane has had it's first flight.
This craft was built using the wing of Aero's rigid wing hang glider,
the Stalker. It was designed to be towed up by the same tugs hang
gliders use. I wonder what happens when one tries to tow an
ultralight sailplane with the same towplanes we use?

Some specs:
Weight: 80 kilos
Stall speed: 34-40 kph
VNE: 140 kph
Max L/D: 27 at 60 kph
Min sink: .5 - .6 (units not specified) at 45 kph

Details (very few) and photos at
http://www.justfly.com/news/al12info.htm