Info on Swift foot launchable glider
Stephen James Morris
I am posting this update to let soaring enthusiasts know what's up with the
Swift foot-launched sailplane. The Swift is an all-composite tailless
aircraft designed to be the highest performing foot-launchable aircraft.
The Swift has elevons and flaps for control and does not rely on weight shift
for maneuvering. There is a side mounted joy stick for pitch and roll. The
pilot is enclosed in a chrome-moly steel cage (reclining feet-first position)
and there is an optional fairing. The Swift has a measured max L/D of 24:1
at 40 mph IAS. There is a single wheel and skid built into the pilot cage so
that foot landings are not mandatory. The Swift tows easily behind an
ultralight (prefered tow speed is 35-45 mph IAS) and loops easily.
The Swift has been in production for the last 9 months and 20 gliders have been
shipped, most being sent to Europe. Bright Star Gliders manufactures the
airplane which is sold fully assembled and includes a rocket deployed
parachute system. Bright Star will be releasing a motorized version which
will qualify as an ultralight self-launching sailplane. The motorized version
will not be foot-launchable. The current version of the Swift qualifies as both
a class 2 hang glider and an ultralight sailplane, so no license is required
to fly. Sailplane rated pilots have been towed in the Swift with no additional
flight instruction required.
SWIFT SPEC'S
Swift Specifications:
Weight = 135 lbs (including rocket-chute and harness)
Pilot weight = 0 to 200 lbs
Span = 38 ft
Area = 135 ft^2
Minimum Sink: 130 fpm @27 mph
Best L/D 24:1 @ 38 mph
Vne 70 mph
Cost = $13,000.00 including: rocket chute, transportation box, airspeed,
pilot fairing. NOT A KIT! SOLD ONLY FULLY ASSEMBLED!!
The wing is built in molds using carbon, Kevlar and foam for much of the
structure.
The design is stressed for +- 6g's and disassembles to fit inside a
box 21'x 3'x 3' that fits on top of your car. Assembly time is
approximately 20 minutes.
The Swift is manufactured by:
Bright Star Gliders
48 Barham Ave.
Santa Rosa, CA 95407
(707) 576-7627
A promotional video tape is available from Bright Star.
Steve Morris
Stanford, CA
fw...@leland.stanford.edu
WING...@delphi.com
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The most important of all the creatures are the wingeds, for they are
nearest to the heavens, and are not bound to earth
as are the four-leggeds, or the little crawling people.
- Black Elk
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Ken Howells <wing...@delphi.com>
WingWays Flight School
CSS Flypaper Editor, CSS Treasurer
Ratings: Hang 4, Tandem 1, Basic Instructor
Gliders: HP AT 158, Raven 229
San Bernardino, CA, USA
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