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Wills Wing Talon

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Talon
Role Hang glider
National origin United States
Manufacturer Wills Wing
Introduction 2002
Status Production completed

The Wills Wing Talon is an American high-wing, single-place, hang glider that was designed and produced by Wills Wing of Santa Ana, California in the early 2000s. Now out of production, when it was available the aircraft was supplied complete and ready-to-fly.[1]

Design and development

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The Talon was designed as competition-level glider. It is made from aluminum tubing, with the double-surface wing covered in Dacron sailcloth. Its wing is a topless design, lacking upper rigging and the supporting king post. The nose angle is 132°.[1][2]

The models are each named for their wing area in square feet.[1]

Operational history

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The Talon series placed highly in the 2002 competition season.[1]

Variants

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Talon 140
Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 9.8 m (32.2 ft) span wing has a wing area of 13 m2 (140 sq ft) and the aspect ratio is 7.3:1. The pilot hook-in weight range is 63 to 99 kg (139 to 218 lb). The glider model is HGMA certified.[1][2]
Talon 150
Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its 10.2 m (33.5 ft) span wing has a wing area of 13.9 m2 (150 sq ft) and the aspect ratio is 7.5:1. The pilot hook-in weight range is 70 to 110 kg (154 to 243 lb). The glider model is HGMA certified.[1][2]
Talon 160
Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 10.4 m (34.1 ft) span wing has a wing area of 14.9 m2 (160 sq ft) and the aspect ratio is 7.2:1. The pilot hook-in weight range is 81 to 127 kg (179 to 280 lb).[1]
Talon 2002 140
Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its wing has an area of 13 m2 (140 sq ft). The glider model is HGMA certified.[2]
Talon 2002 150
Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its wing has an area of 13.9 m2 (150 sq ft). The glider model is HGMA certified.[2]

Specifications (Talon 140)

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Data from Bertrand[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Wingspan: 32 ft 2 in (9.8 m)
  • Wing area: 140 sq ft (13 m2)
  • Aspect ratio: 7.3:1

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 50. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster Oklahoma, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
  2. ^ a b c d e Wills Wing Support. "HGMA Certified Wills Wing Gliders". Wills Wing. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
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