Finsterwalder Minifex

1984

There are two versions of this glider, the 1984 Minifex and, since 1985, produced Minifex M2. The 1984 is DHV3 and the M2 is DHV2 for advanced pilots.

Both versions can be extra short packed at about 1.65m. This is done by tiling the front leading tube into 3 pieces and using fibre glass for the outer wing tips.

Minifex
1984
Wing area: 14.1 m²
Wing span: 8.95 m
Aspect ratio: 5.68
Minimum speed: 26 km/h
Maximum speed: 80 km/h
Packed length: 4.45 m
Packed length short: 1.67 m

Minifex M2 140
1985
Wing area: 14.1 m²
Wing span: 9 m
Aspect ratio: 5.74
Hang glider weight: 20 kg

Finsterwalder Windfex

First buit in 1983, a hang glider for intermediate pilots. Lightweight, simple to assemble, stowed under the bed, is transported to motorcycle. Slats are plastic electrician tube

Replaced by the Funfex.

Windfex 190
1984
Wing area: 19.6 m²
Wing span: 9.6 m
Aspect ratio: 5.55
Hang glider weight: 22 kg

Wing area: 16 sq.m
Hang glider weight: 21kg
Short fold: 2.1 m

Finsterwalder Speedfex

Hang glider from 1997 featuring a 90% double surface.
Capable of being folded into a 2m long bag for carrying.

Wing area: 14 sq.m
Certification: DHV 2
Pilot weight: 70-110 kg
Wing span: 10 m
Nose Angle: 127 degs
Aspect ratio: 7.1
Hang glider weight: 30 kg
Minimum speed: 30 km/h
Maximum speed: 100 km/h
Max glide ratio (L/H): 12
Packed length: 5.8 m
Packed length short: 2 m
Price (1998) 8580 DM

Finsterwalder Perfex

A Primary Single Surface Hang glider from 1990.

In the air it’s not oversensitive. In the final flare, due the positions of the uprights, there is a great authority and the glider can be stoped easily.

The gliding ratio less than a modern (2011) paraglider but very good although Finsterwalder Charly should invest a few hours to write a modern manual.

The assembly is very fast. The glider can be extra-short packed to 1.95 m and takes 10 minutes extra. With excellent manufacturing quality, lightweight, very low stall-speed, easy handling, and quite fast setup also from ultra-short packing.

Wing area: 16 sq.m
Certification: DHV 1-2
Pilot weight: 70-105 kg
Wing span: 9.4 m
Nose Angle: 120 degs
Aspect ratio: 5.5
Hang glider weight: 22 kg
Minimum speed: 22 km/h
Maximum speed: 80 km/h
Max glide ratio (L/H): 10
Minimum sink rate: 1 m/s
Packed length: 5.5 m
Packed length short: 3.8 m
Number of battens: 15
Price (1998) 4750 DM

Finsterwalder Lightfex

Hang glider from 1990. Primary Single Surface and capable of being folded into a 2m long bag for carrying.
A very light wing, handles quite well and stable, the counter in thermal goes well if one puts of the weight in the trapezium.

Wing area: 14 sq.m
Certification: DHV 2
Pilot weight: 45-75 kg
Wing span: 9 m
Nose Angle: 120 degs
Aspect ratio: 6.3
Hang glider weight: 20 kg
Minimum speed: 24 km/h
Maximum speed: 80 km/h
Packed length: 5.2 m
Packed length short: 3.75 m
Price (1998) 4750 DM

Finsterwalder Funfex

Hang glider from 1987.

Capable of being folded into a 2m long bag for carrying. The 2m assembly takes 25-30 minutes to mount it if you follow the instructions (necessary at the beginning) but after 5-6 assemblies everything passes effortlessly.

The lining of the pilot fastener is less resistant than the main fastener, the transverse fastener is doubled, the cables are bigger than the standard, everything clips well.

When disassembling 2m, provide a sponge cut in 3 pieces, the floating positioning pins and the front fastener of the sail can damage the tube bundle.

In flight it is easy, manageable, able to fly very slowly.

Funfex S
Wing area: 16 sq.m
Certification: DHV 2
Pilot weight: 69-95 kg
Wing span: 9.4 m
Nose Angle: 120 degs
Aspect ratio: 5.5
Hang glider weight: 24 kg
Minimum speed: 25 km/h
Maximum speed: 80 km/h
Max glide ratio (L/H): 10.5
Packed length: 5.5 m
Packed length short: 1.95 m
Number of battens: 19
Price (1998) 5950 DM

Finsterwalder Airfex

A hang glider from 1991.
Capable of being folded into a 1.9m long bag for carrying.

Airfex S
Wing area: 13.8 sq.m
Certification: DHV 1-2
Pilot weight: 50-70 kg
Wing span: 9 m
Nose Angle: 120 degs
Aspect ratio: 6.3
Hang glider weight: 22 kg
Minimum speed: 27 km/h
Maximum speed: 80 km/h
Max glide ratio (L/H): 10.5
Packed length: 5.2 m
Packed length short: 1.90 m
Number of battens: 18
Price (1998) 5750 DM

Finer / Hardwick-Smith MMM-3

Otherwise known as the “Mangamingi Monster Mark III” this aircraft was designed by Tim Hardwick-Smith to achieve a low horsepower, slow flying aeroplane, for low cost flying, farm surveillance and motor gliding. The machine first flew on 1 February 1997 and was registered ZK-JHH on 13 February 1997.

Engine: 1 x Briggs & Stratten.
Cruise: 60 kph.
Stall: 35 kph.

Fike Model E

William Fike, designer and Alaska airline pilot, created this two-place cabin monoplane. The Model Es airframe structure includes a Piper J-3 tail assembly, a welded steel-tube fuselage and an all-wood, fabric-covered wing. Power is supplied by an 85-hp Continental engine. The wing can be removed within 10 minutes to enable the plane to be towed.

Gross Weight: 1150 lb
Empty Weight: 690 lb
Fuel capacity 15 USG
Wingspan 22 ft 4.5 in
Length: 19 ft 2 in
Engine: 85-hp Continental
Top speed: 110 mph
Cruise speed: 100 mph
Stall: 37 mph
Climb rate: 800 fpm
Ceiling: 10,000+ ft
Takeoff run: 400 ft
Landing roll: 600 ft
Range: 280 miles