Aviafiber Canard 2FL
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Canard 2FL | |
|---|---|
| Type | sailplane |
| Manufacturer | Aviafiber |
| Designed by | Hans Farner |
| Maiden flight | September 1977 |
The Aviafiber Canard 2FL was a one-person recreational aircraft of highly unusual design. Variously described as a rigid-wing hang-glider or as a foot-launched sailplane, it was the brainchild of Swiss aerodynamicist Hans Farner. Of fibreglass construction, it consisted of a tiny fuselage, just big enough to accommodate the pilot in a prone position, and provided with doors in the bottom through which the pilot's feet could protrude for takeoff and landing. A large canard was fitted at the nose (as the name suggests), and the main lifting surfaces were supported atop a tall, V-shaped pylon.
A pilot was killed flying the aircraft; business partners withdrew the Canard 2FL from sale and bought back the small number that had already been sold.
[edit] Specifications
General characteristics
- Crew: one pilot
- Length: 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)
- Wingspan: 13.5 m (44 ft 3 in)
- Wing area: 13.0 m² (140 ft²)
- Empty weight: 50 kg (110 lb)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 100 km/h (60 mph)
- Maximum glide ratio: 35:1
- Rate of sink: 0.6 m/s (120 ft/min)
[edit] References
- Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions, 88.
- Popular Mechanics July 1978
- The Rigid Wing Website
- Pictures
[edit] See also
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