Airborne Windsports Sting
The Sting 2 is a recreational hang glider updated with 7075 airframe and battens, with faired king post, downtubes and speed bar as standard. The XC range also includes a VG system. Classed as Airbornes’ "recreational" glider the Sting is for the experienced pilot that desire reasonable performance with exceptional climb. A glider that is still very easy to launch and land.
Pilots who like to fly with a powered harness or lite trikes often use the 175 Sting. The Sting 175 has a light weight 7075-T6 main airframe and battens, and is easy to short pack. Standard configuration includes faired down tubes, speed bar with grips, PX 10 leading edge, variable geometry and enclosed battens.
The Sting 2 was being replaced by the Sting 3, and as of April 2010, only the 175 size was still in production. The consensus is that the Sting 3 is a step up in performance from the Sting 2, and may not be suitable for novice pilots. The Sting's bottom surface covers 70 percent. The Sting 3 was available as 154 and 168
Sting 2 XC-175
The Sting 3 featured a much improved glide performance and ease of steering with the VG on. The Sting 3 has an increased range of travel on the VG system. Landing the Sting is fun, with great low speed handling authority right up to an easy flare and touch down.
The Sting 3 has a new luff curve at the heart of the design meaning that the sail has been entirely redesigned. The most recognisable difference is the undersurface layout and the increased amount of undersurface, particularly at the tips to improve the high speed glide performance.
Features include improved glide angle at inter thermal glide speeds, lighter roll control at low speeds, lighter roll control and more predictable docile stall with vg on, lighter pitch pressures and easy aerotow using a shoulder attached tow bridle and a wider range of travel for the variable geometry system.
Airborne Sting 3 – 168
The 2011 Sting 3 has an increased range of travel on the VG system. Landing the Sting is with low speed handling authority right up to an easy flare and touch down.
The Sting 3 has a new luff curve at the heart of the design meaning that the sail has been entirely redesigned. The sail most recognisable difference is the undersurface layout and the increased amount of undersurface, particularly at the tips to improve the high speed glide performance.
The Sting is constructed using 7075 airframe, fitted with faired king post, downtubes and speed bar as standard. The Sting includes a VG system as standard.
The cost in 2011 was $7500.
The Sting 3 uses the same control frame as the C4, with streamline downtubes, interchangeable control bar options including round speedbar with grips, airfoil aluminium and airfoil carbon control bars - all changed by pip pins. New are the 7075 airframe with the PX 10 leading edge, sail luff curve, airfoils, top surface, new under surface, with increased double surface area for long XC glides, and improved under surface control with an additional batten (all enclosed).
Airborne Sting 2 XC-175
Sting 2 118
Pilot Weight: 80-112 lb / 35-50 kg
Sting 2 140
Pilot Weight: 90-145 lb / 40-65 kg
Sting II XC 154
Sail Area: 14.33 sq m / 154 sq ft
Wing Span: 9.1 m / 29.8 ft
Aspect Ratio: 5.7
Nose Angle: 121 deg
Double Surface: 70%
Battens: 19
Glider Weight: 26 kg / 57 lb
Assembly Time: 7 min
Pack Up Length: 5.5 m / 18.1 ft
Short Pack Length: 3.9 m / 12.8 ft
Pilot Weight: 60-90 kg / 132-198 lb
VNE: 85 km/h / 53 mph
Max manoeuvring speed: 74 km/h / 46 mph
Steady state speed: 35 mph / 56 km/h
Sting 2 XC 175
Sail Area: 16.28 sq m / 175 sq ft
Glider Weight: 30 kg / 66 lb
Wing Span: 9.8 m / 32.1 ft
Aspect Ratio: 5.9
Nose Angle: 121 deg
Double Surface: 70%
Pilot Weight: 80-135 kg / 176-298 lb
Skill Level: Novice SS/DS:
Battens: 23
Assembly Time: 8 min
Pack Up Length: 6.0 m / 19.7 ft
Short Pack Length: 4.2 m / 13.8 ft
VNE: 85 km/h / 53 mph
Max manoeuvring speed: 74 km/h / 46 mph
Steady state speed: 35 mph / 56 km/h
Double Surface KP/TL
Kingpost VG: Yes
Extras: Padded speed bar, faired down tubes, variable geometry, spring loaded batten tips, 7075 Aluminum
Sting 3 154
Sail Area: 14.33 sq m / 154 sq ft
Wing Span: 9.1 m / 29.8 ft
Aspect Ratio: 5.7
Nose Angle: 121 deg
Double Surface: 75%
Battens: 22
Glider Weight: 26 kg / 57 lb
Assembly Time: 7 min
Pack Up Length: 5.5 m / 18.1 ft
Short Pack Length: 3.9 m / 12.8 ft
Pilot Weight: 60-100 kg / 132-220 lb
VNE: 85 km/h / 53 mph
Max manoeuvring speed: 74 km/h / 46 mph
Steady state speed: 35 mph / 56 km/h
Sting 3 168
Sail Area: 15.60 sq m / 168 sq ft
Wing Span: 9.5 m / 31.1 ft
Aspect Ratio: 5.7
Nose Angle: 121 deg
Double Surface: 75%
Battens: 24
Glider Weight: 30 kg / 66 lb
Assembly Time: 8 min
Pack Up Length: 5.7 mr / 18.7 ft
Short Pack Length: 4.1 m / 13.5 ft
Pilot Weight: 80-120 kg / 176-264.5 lb
VNE: 85 km/h / 53 mph
Max manoeuvring speed: 74 km/h / 46 mph
Steady state speed: 35 mph / 56 km/h
