Hang-glider

Flight Design GmbH

TerryLeave a comment

Offered the CT two-seat very light composites cabin lightplane (first flown 1996 and produced in association with Albert Schulze-Oechterding from ASO Flugsport), hang gliders and paragliders.

1998

1998: Sielmingerstr.65, D-70771 Leinfelden-Echterdingen, Germany

Flight Design entered receivership in 2016. Work on the C4 had come to a standstill after the company ran into financial difficulty. Production had also slowed to a trickle as the company workforce was trimmed to 10 people in Germany and around 60 in the Ukraine.

German investment group Lift Holding purchased Flight Design in 2017, allowing for the resumption of production of the C4. Flight Design completed the sale of all major company assets to the German investment group Lift Holding, allowing for the resumption of work on the C4, a Part 23-certified four-seater with a projected selling price of $250,000.

The newly realigned company was to be based at a new facility near Eisenach in the Thuringia region of Germany. The company will now be called Flight Design General Aviation GmbH. Lift Holding will combine the technical expertise of Flight Design with its other recently acquired aviation asset, gyrocopter producer Rotorvox. Both companies were to be headquartered at the Kindel Airport near Eisenach.

Flexiform 1983 Prototype

TerryLeave a comment

In 1983 Flexiform were working on a new double surface wing in hope of re-entering the free-flying hang glider market. Based on the company’s earlier Striker power wing, however the tail is much wider shallower and the machine has a revised airfoil section. Another very noticeable feature is the extended keel pocket, running from the tail right up to the nose, with only a small hole for the hang strap.

Flexiform Vector

TerryLeave a comment

Made in 1977, the Vector was specifically intended for the pilot who has ridge soaring experience and offer the potential for cross country work. Flexi-Form consider that the glider is both lighter and faster to fly compared with its competitors. The sail is tightly stretched across the entire span and is cambered to provide an airfoil section.

Vector

By co-operation with Main Welding Co. Ltd. the Vector was available in kit form. The Vector price (B and C) in kit form was £430.00, or ready to fly at £500.00 (including VAT and bag).

Vector B
Pilot weight: less than 12.5 st.

Vector C
Sail area 180 sq ft
Span 36.5 ft
Keel 7 ft 6 in
Nose angle 114 deg
Aspect ratio 7.4.,
Pilot weight: greater than 12.5 st.

Flexiform Skyline

TerryLeave a comment

A 1978 hang glider, the Skyline has no wing wires, just a simple rugged airframe and a carefully cambered sail. It was a wing that folded to 4 meters by removing the leading edges. The wing tip locked in negative by wingtips Low weight and advanced sail technology give a light ‘inertia free’ feel to the handling. Roached tips, short keel and high aspect ratio contribute to the performance, whilst slow speed characteristics add to the pleasure.

The Skyline was offered in four sizes covering weight range 8-16 st, priced at £475.00 inc VAT and bag.

Skyline medium
Pilot weight: 10-12 st
Aspect ratio: 6.4
Sail area 175 sq ft
Span: 33 ft 8 in
Keel 8 ft
Weight: 49 lb

Flexiform Sea-Lander

TerryLeave a comment

The Sea-Lander came out in 1981 and rather than follow the Comet clone route Flexiform chose to produce a cross-boomless machine with a distinctive bird-tail shape. It was claimed to be 14 lb lighter than a Typhoon, more stable at speed than a Demon and quicker to rig than Lightning. Flexiform also claimed that the sink rate and handling outclass all competitors.

All material is aircraft released hardware from the USA.

Both the Sealander and Hi-Lander were designed to accept the Hiway and Skyhook trike units without any modification.

Sealander 170
Span: 34 ft
Wing area: 170 sq.ft
Nose angle: 148.5 deg
Weight: 60 lb
Pilot weight: 140-175 lb
Speed range: 15-42 mph

Sealander 190
Span: 35 ft
Wing area: 190 sq.ft
Nose angle: 148.5 sq.ft
Weight: 63 lb
Pilot weight: 160-200 lb
Speed range: 15-42 mph

Flexiform Hi-Lander

TerryLeave a comment

The Hi-Lander came out in 1980 as an advanced intermediate hang glider. Basically a copy of the La Mouete Atlas, the Hi Lander uses preformed battens and has approximately 30 % double surface. Unlike the Atlas the Hilander has plug-in cross boom ends rather than a sliding centre box system. Performance is very similar to that of the Atlas although it does not have quite such impressive sink rate.

Both the Sealander and Hi-Lander were designed to accept the Hiway and Skyhook trike units without any modification.

Flexiform Sky Sails Hilander/Sky-Trike
160cc Valmet engined Hiway Skytrike with Flexiform Hilander wing (1981)

Gallery

Hi-Lander 175
Span: 34 ft
Nose angle: 126 deg
Weight: 56 lb
Pilot weight: 130-165 lb

Hi-Lander 190
Span: 35 ft
Nose angle: 126 deg
Weight: 62 lb

Hi-Lander 200
Span: 36 ft
Nose angle: 126 deg
Weight: 70 lb
Pilot weight: 190-240 lb

Flexiform Spirit

TerryLeave a comment
1978 Flexi-Form Spirit (large)

The Flexi-Form78 Spirit was a 1976 hang-glider that was available in kit-form from Paul Maratos of Flexiform Sailwings.

Spirit

The Spirit was designed by Paul Maratos and features a fully battened sail with a small roached tip and relatively short keel. The sail is not cambered, the kite being tuned by fully adjustable double wing wires and keel camber wire. The Glider came in two sizes, priced at £400.00 or £330.00 for kit option, including factory assembly and tuning, pulley system, zipped kite bag, velcro sail ties, sail colour choice and VAT.

Spirit (Medium)
Nose angle 102 deg
Weight 52 lbs
Area 190 sq ft,
Leading edge 20 ft 6 in
Keel (rc) 10 ft 6in