Hang-glider

Pacific Gull HA Series

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The HA Series is a design extension of the basic Rogallo. Aith an increased aspect ratio and less surface area it offered a higher glide ratio than a standard Rogallo. It is both stable and aerodynamically balanced, has no tendency to flat spin, and exhibits excellent dive recovery.

The HA Series had more adjustments than any other glider. It is equipped with two adjustable keel channels to tune keel bow and control bar postion, reversible wires to permit seated or prone flying without re-riging, three centre of gravity positions, three upper rigging turnbuckles, seven positions for wing dihedral, and optional three position sail billow and riser kit. It has eight ball-lok pins and a sliding-wing folding cross bar syatemtp let any adjustments be made in 30 seconds and completely set up in 3.5 minutes.

The airframe is made from 6061-T6 1.5in x .058 anodised aluminium. Aluminium inner-compressin bushings are used in place of wooden doweling. The rigging cable in 3/32in 7×7 vinyl covered stainless steel. All hardware is anodised stainless steel.

The sail is made from 3.8oz Howe & Bainbridge stabilised dacron, then available in 11 colours.

There was the options of seated, prone or combination rigid/flexible sitting harness with back rest and front strap.

HA 18
Leading edge: 18 ft
Keel length: 14.5 ft
Wing span: 28 ft
Wing area: 176 sq,ft
Aspect ratio: 4.2
Nose angle: 100-102˚
Sail billow: 3.5-2.75˚
Weight: 41 lb
Pilot weight: 100-145 lb
Takeoff speed: 10 mph
Stall speed: 9 mph
Max speed: 38 mph
Best glide ratio (L/D): 6-1
Best L/D speed: 18 mph
Min sink: 280 fpm

HA 19
Leading edge: 19 ft
Keel length: 15 ft
Wing span: 29.8 ft
Wing area: 209 sq,ft
Aspect ratio: 4.2
Nose angle: 100-102˚
Sail billow: 3.5-2.75˚
Weight: 42.5 lb
Pilot weight: 146-190 lb
Takeoff speed: 10 mph
Stall speed: 9 mph
Max speed: 38 mph
Best glide ratio (L/D): 6-1
Best L/D speed: 18 mph
Min sink: 280 fpm

HA 20
Leading edge: 20 ft
Keel length: 16.25 ft
Wing span: 31.6 ft
Wing area: 240 sq,ft
Aspect ratio: 4.2
Nose angle: 100-102˚
Sail billow: 3.5-2.75˚
Weight: 45 lb
Pilot weight: 191-240 lb
Takeoff speed: 10 mph
Stall speed: 9 mph
Max speed: 38 mph
Best glide ratio (L/D): 6-1
Best L/D speed: 18 mph
Min sink: 280 fpm

Pacific Gull Alpine

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The Alpine is a double surface, battened, flexible sail, high performance glider. Speciffically designed for cross-country soaring, it features no low speed yaw, dampened pitch response, keel reflex and tip washout behind the centre of gravity by over four feet, acting as “up” elevator.

The Alpine is equipped with cross-bar, keel adjustment channels, front mast cable tensioner, adjustable centre of gravity, reversible lower wires to allow seated or prone flying, and fully ball-lok pin for quick set-up. The glider features truncated tips for wash-out adjustment and exact tuning.

Te airframe is made from 6061-T6 anodised aluminium. The keel is 1.5 in x .058, crossbars are 1 5/8in x .058 and leading edges are 1.75in x .035. The keel is precambered to a specific shape. Leading edges are reinforced with plug-in deflexers.

Cables are 3/32in 7×7 nylon coated stainless steel. All hardware is anodised aluminium and stainless steel. There are custom injected molded batten tips, spar saddles, and aluminium extrusions.

The sail is a double surface stretched membrane made from 3.8 oz Howe & Bainbridge dacron in 11 colours. The sail has 10 pre-bent aluminium cambered battens.

There was the options of seated, prone or combination rigid/flexible sitting harness with back rest and front strap.

Alpine I
Leading edge: 19 ft
Keel length: 9 ft
Wing span: 33 ft
Wing area: 170 sq,ft
Aspect ratio: 6.4
Nose angle: 115-116˚
Sail billow: 1.25-0.75˚
Weight: 51 lb
Pilot weight: 110-165 lb
Takeoff speed: 10 mph
Stall speed: 9 mph
Max speed: 45 mph
Best glide ratio (L/D): 9.5-1
Best L/D speed: 22 mph
Min sink: 210 fpm

Alpine II
Leading edge: 20 ft
Keel length: 10 ft
Wing span: 34.5 ft
Wing area: 186 sq,ft
Aspect ratio: 6.4
Nose angle: 115-116˚
Sail billow: 1.25-0.75˚
Weight: 52.5 lb
Pilot weight: 166-220 lb
Takeoff speed: 10 mph
Stall speed: 9 mph
Max speed: 45 mph
Best glide ratio (L/D): 9.5-1
Best L/D speed: 22 mph
Min sink: 210 fpm

Pacific Diffusion Select

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Produced at Kembs-Loechle (Franse) close to Mulhouse, by Pacific Diffusion, the select was a 1986 hang glider for advanced pilots. Chayrou produced the Select, a copy of the Express which he made before at Oderen.

The Select could reach 80+ km / h without disproportionate effort. The large model was stable spiral, which was not the case with the small size, which had no keel pocket.

Select 140
Wing area: 14 m²
Wing span: 10 m
Aspect ratio: 7.15
Hang glider weight: 23 kg

Pacific Diffusion

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André Chayrou, starting from plans made by the manufacturer Pacific Kites, was the owner of Pacific Wings until 1985 (purchased by Aérotech).

On his departure from Oderen, Andre Chayrou created in 1985 “Pacific Diffusion” and moved to Kembs Loechle, near Mulhouse to make the “Select”, which was none other than the Express.

Hang glider builder

Orion Delta Tee

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A 1990 hang glider for Intermediate pilots from Switzerland. Very balanced wing on all axes, and very pleasant to fly. It has a very slow flying regime that allows it to climb very well in thermal. It is a bit slow to reverse turns, and must be anticipated.

Minimum pilot weight: 65 kg
Maximum pilot weight: 95 kg

Offpiste Discovery

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The 1996 Discovery was designed as a Skyfloater. It was aimed at those pilots wishing to fly for fun having found that the latest superships are demanding of skills especially in light wind conditions.

The 1996 Discovery was available in two sizes: 160 and 195. A feature of the Discovery is that it can be flown prone or seated.

Discovery 2

The 1997 Discovery 2 catered for all weights of pilot by four sizes: 160, 195, 195S and 210. The price was £1750, rising to £1800 for the 195 S version. A retro-fit kit was available for around £100 to upgrade the Mk 1 to Mk 2 spec.

The 1997 Discovery 2 was described as glorious in light conditions due to low wing loading and featherlight handling, however once you pull the bar in more than a few inches glide and sink rate are terrible.

2006 Offpiste Discovery 195

Discovery 160

Discovery 195

Discovery 2 160
Wing area: 14.8 sq.m / 160 sq ft
Wing span: 9.14 m / 30 ft
Certification: BHPA
Pilot weight: 55-89 kg
Nose Angle: 125 deg
Aspect ratio: 5.6
Hang glider weight: 23 kg / 49 lb
Maximum speed: 128 km/h
Packed length: 5.3 m
Packed length short: 2.9 m
Number of battens: 12
Price (1998) £ 1948

Discovery 2 195
Wing area: 18.1 sq.m
Certification: BHPA
Pilot weight: 66-102 kg
Wing span: 10.36 m
Nose Angle: 125 deg
Aspect ratio: 5.6
Hang glider weight: 25 kg
Maximum speed: 128 km/h
Packed length: 5.8 m
Packed length short: 3.1 m
Number of battens: 12
Price (1998) £ 1948

Discovery 2 195 S
Wing area: 18.1 sq.m
Certification: BHPA
Pilot weight: 85-135 kg
Wing span: 10.36 m
Nose Angle: 125 deg
Aspect ratio: 5.6
Hang glider weight: 27 kg
Maximum speed: 128 km/h
Packed length: 5.8 m
Packed length short: 3.1 m
Number of battens: 12
Price (1998) £ 1998

Discovery 2 bi 210
Wing area: 19.6 sq.m
Certification: BHPA
Pilot weight: 114-178 kg
Wing span: 10.7 m
Nose Angle: 126 deg
Aspect ratio: 5.8
Hang glider weight: 30 kg
Maximum speed: 128 km/h
Packed length short: 3.35 m
Number of battens: 12
Price (1998) £ 2702