The Finsterwalder Jetfex is a 1979 hang glider.
Era
Finsterwalder Bergfex
Thomas Finsterwalder develops a glider of his own design. With specially developed high-strength super light-weight and large diameter tubing, the “Bergfex” (mountain freak) weighed a mere 11 kg and could be dismantled in 8 minutes down to a length of 1.80 m without the use of tools, by means of snap fasteners. The sail weighed only 1 kg and was made from spinnacker nylon 32 g/m².
Mountaineering pilots were excited to try them and more than 300 Bergfexes flew accident-free.
The federal aviation authority issued the airworthiness certification.
In 1976, Thomas Finsterwalder and two companions climbed to the top of 5895 m high Kilimandscharo. From the summit they flew Bergfex type hang gliders back to the plains below. The flight over a distance of around 25 kilometers took 50 minutes; they had taken three days to make the ascent.
First appearance in 1976, in 1978 the Superfex came as a successor.
Wingspan: 7.9 m
Span: 19.2 m
Nose angle: 90°
Weight: 11 kg
Maximum glide ratio: ca. 15 at 45 km/h
Maximum sink rate: 2 m/s at 32 km/h
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
Finsterwalder GmbH
1998: Pagodenburgstr. 8, F-81247 Munchen, GERMANY
Operated by Thomas Finsterwalder.
Hang glider builder
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.
