La Mouette Atlas
| Atlas | |
|---|---|
| Role | Hang glider |
| National origin | France |
| Manufacturer | La Mouette |
| Introduction | 1979 |
| Status | In production |
| Number built | more than 8000 |
The La Mouette Atlas is a French high-wing, single-place, hang glider, designed and produced by La Mouette of Fontaine-lès-Dijon.[1]
Design and development
[edit]The Atlas was initially conceived as a competition hang glider, and, in that role it achieved many competitive wins. Due to its ease of handling it was also used as a flight training aircraft. As its performance was surpassed by the newer double surface and later "topless" hang gliders it became no longer competitive, but retained its role as a training machine. Over 8000 have been built, making it one of the most produced hang gliders ever.[1][2]
The aircraft is made from aluminum tubing, with the single-surface wing covered in Dacron sailcloth. All models have a 9.3 m (30.5 ft) span wing, which is cable braced from a single kingpost. The nose angle is 120°. All models are certified as DHV Class 2.[1][2]
Operational history
[edit]When the Atlas was competitive it won national championships in most European countries. It also won championships in Argentina, Brazil and Japan, as well as the European championships and world team championships.[2]
Variants
[edit]- Atlas 14
- Small-size model for lighter pilots. Its wing area is 13.8 m2 (149 sq ft) and the aspect ratio is 6.25:1. Empty weight is 24 kg (53 lb) and the pilot hook-in weight range is 50 to 75 kg (110 to 165 lb). The aircraft can be folded to a package as short as 2.00 m (6.56 ft) for ground transportation or storage.[1][2]
- Atlas 16
- Large-size model for heavier pilots. Its wing area is 15.8 m2 (170 sq ft) and the aspect ratio is 6.20:1. Empty weight is 25 kg (55 lb) and the pilot hook-in weight range is 65 to 95 kg (143 to 209 lb). The aircraft can be folded into a package as short as 2.20 m (7.22 ft) for ground transportation or storage.[1][2]
Specifications (Atlas 16)
[edit]Data from Bertrand and La Mouette[1][2]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Wingspan: 9.3 m (30 ft 6 in)
- Wing area: 15.8 m2 (170 sq ft)
- Aspect ratio: 6.20:1
- Empty weight: 25 kg (55 lb)
- Gross weight: 120 kg (265 lb)
Performance
- Wing loading: 7.6 kg/m2 (1.6 lb/sq ft)