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Aeros Ltd Combat

 

The first prototype of a high-performance Combat competition hang glider was designed and flew in 2000. The Combat glider is updated, and Aeros presented the new Combat 2 in 2001.

During 2003, the Combat L, which was lighter and better than its predecessor Combat 2, was designed. After extensive testing, Aeros releases the Combat L in 2006, and for lightweight pilots, the Combat L 12 with reduced wing area was designed.

Aeros continued improvement of the Combat in 2007 gave the Combat L 07 with a newly designed oval crossbeam, stiffer sprogs and an advanced design of the sail, which has many refinements and is made with new durable semi-transparent sailcloth. The top performance Combat L 07 was certified by DHV in 2008 in three sizes: 12, 13 and 14.

The full range of glider sizes (12, 13, 14, or 15) were available.

 

 

Different from the Combat 2, the Combat L is significantly lighter, depending on glider size and option it is 1.5 – 2 kilograms lighter. Basically it is a new glider with a wide variety of options. The sail design has not changed much. The main difference is leading edges, made of 7075 alloy and of completely different design. The leading edges are in three parts which allow a pilot to inspect and change them easily when needed. Having about the same stiffness they are significantly lighter. The Aeros Combat L is supplied standard with WW Slipstream profile uprights and reinforced Aeros Airfoil carbon speedbar with Aeros Airfoil knuckles. The aluminium Airfoil speedbar with Airfoil knuckles can be set optionally. Options are: carbon fiber battens, additional aluminum round bacebar, aluminum airfoiled speed bar, competition wires, additional carbon fiber inserts, light weight glider bag and light weight pads.

The competition options include light carbon 10mm battens for best performance, profiled carbon leading edge inserts, and XC light bag.

Changing the battens stiffness changed not only handling and climb, but performance as well. The sail was available in two options of the upper surface materials: PX10T or Grille Polyester 180G. The new sail is an advanced design with many refinements and stronger PX Mylar - PX Mylar leading edge cloth. The durable NCV semi-transparent sailcloth keeps the upper surface very clean and tight, providing soft handling and good coordination. The undersurface is Dacron and can be cut out in two separate colour layout designs.

It is possible to use more VG than on the Combat 2 on when thermaling which improves a climb rate. The Combat L glides slightly better than Combat 2.

The glider has stronger crossbar, the pull-back wire is changed from 2.5 mm to 3 mm diameter.

Believing they could excede the characteristics of Combat L 07 Aeros launched the serial production of new competition hang glider, the Combat 13 09. The most popular being 13 (13.7 sq.m).

There has been added a new glider size of the 09 series - Combat 09  13.2, of 13.2 sq.m. which is between the Combat 12 and Combat 13.7. The performance of the new glider is slightly better than Combat 09 13 (13.7sq.m), with better climb rate. Measurements where done with the tail. Combat 09 13.2 seams to feel in the air and perform with the tail even better than without. The new glider has aspect ratio 8.05 maintaining the same wing span. Theoretically this means that the glider with more aspect ratio should have better low speed glide ratio.

Compared to the Combat L 07, the Combat 09 has new sail and frame design. Totally new sail cut, new batten profiles, stiffer leading edge, stiffer and lighter keel. Test flights in Ukraine and Switzerland determined that the Combat 09 has better performance and climbing abilities in comparison with Combat L 13 07. Although the Combat 09 has stiffer frame, the glider keeps soft Combat L 07 handling and good coordination. The landing characteristics are the same or slightly better than Combat L 07.
The Combat L12 was designed by Sergey Drobyshev, is 12.8 sq.m and was built for people 50-75 kg. The optimum is 65-75kg clip-in pilot weight. About twenty Combat L12 were sold by November 2006.

The sail cut is designed with a thin low drag airfoil profile, has 24 top battens, 62-50mm 7075 aluminium leading edges, and light firm dive struts. The nose cover blends smoothly into the sail. The modified pulley system with bearings allows you pull VG with 2 fingers. The glider weight is about 33.5 kg.

Options are a carbon reinforced speedbar or an aluminium profiled basebar together with all streamline fittings. The uprights are 50 mm shorter than on bigger Combats along with a 40 mm shorter speed bar. Options are two wire sets: standard version and second version that keeps the control bar 5 cm back. Optionally the small Combat is provided with all high performance items like light profiled carbon leading edge inserts, 10mm carbon battens and a thin 5.6 m bag.

 

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