Airtime Explorer

Explorer
Role	Powered hang glider harness
National origin	Australia
Manufacturer	Airtime Products
Status	Production completed

The Airtime Explorer is an Australian powered hang glider harness that was designed and produced by Airtime Products of Airlie Beach, Queensland. Now out of production, when it was available, it was supplied assembled.[1]

Design and development

When combined with a cable-braced hang glider-style wing, the single-engine pusher configuration Explorer features weight-shift controls, foot-launching and landing.[1]

The powered harness is mated to a standard hang glider wing. The wing is supported by a single tube-type king post and uses an "A" frame control bar. The engine is a two-stroke, single cylinder Radne Raket 120 of 14 hp (10 kW), and fitted with a 3.5:1 ratio reduction drive. The nylon harness mounts the engine and 5 litres (1.1 imp gal; 1.3 US gal), or optionally 10 litres (2.2 imp gal; 2.6 US gal) fuel tank. Dual retractable skids are provided to protect the propeller during take-off and landing. Electric starting and a carbon fiber folding 135 cm (53 in) propeller are standard features.[1]

Specifications (Explorer)

Data from Bertrand[1]

General characteristics

• Crew: one
• Empty weight: 23 kg (51 lb) (harness, engine, propeller only)
• Fuel capacity: 5 litres (1.1 imp gal; 1.3 US gal) or optionally 10 litres (2.2 imp gal; 2.6 US gal)
• Powerplant: 1 × Radne Raket 120 single cylinder, two-stroke, air-cooled aircraft engine with a 3.5:1 reduction drive, 10 kW (14 hp)
• Propellers: 2-bladed folding, 1.35 m (4 ft 5 in) diameter

See also

• Airtime Discovery

References

1. Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 63. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster UK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X