Swedish Aerosport Mosquito

Mosquito
Role Powered hang glider
National origin Sweden
Manufacturer Swedish Aerosport
Introduction 1995
Mosquito NRG fitted to an Airborne Fun 160 glider
The engine and pusher propeller fit behind the pilot's feet

The Swedish Aerosport Mosquito is a Swedish powered hang glider harness designed and produced by Swedish Aerosport and introduced in 1995.[1][2]

Design and development

The Mosquito was the power package that started renewed interest in the powered self-launching hang glider concept when it was introduced in 1995. The power package can be mated with a large number of modern hang glider wings. Ready to fly the complete aircraft features a cable-braced hang glider-style high-wing, weight-shift control set up, single-place accommodation, foot-launching and landing and a single engine in pusher configuration.[1]

The aircraft uses a standard hang glider wing, made from bolted-together aluminum tubing, with its wing covered in Dacron sailcloth. The wing is supported by a single tube-type kingpost and uses an "A" frame control bar. The engine is a lightweight, two-stroke, single cylinder Radne Raket 120 of 14 hp (10 kW) that produces power though a 3.5:1 belt reduction drive, with an extension shaft. Folding legs carry a large percentage of the unit's weights and protect the propeller during ground operations. The Mosquito is purchased as a complete harness assembly.[1]

The original Mosquito design was updated in 2001 as the Mosquito NRG, which remained in production until 2022. The NRG incorporates a flat back plate, front opening, propeller brake, integrated controls and electric starting.[2]

Wings that are approved for the Mosquito include the A-I-R Atos rigid wing the Icaro Piuma and the Aeros Discus M.[3][4]

Specifications (Mosquito)

Data from Cliche[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Empty weight: 44 lb (20 kg) plus the wing weight
  • Fuel capacity: 1.5 U.S. gallons (5.7 L; 1.2 imp gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Radne Raket 120 single cylinder, two-stroke, air-cooled aircraft engine, 14 hp (10 kW)

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 25 mph (40 km/h, 22 kn)
  • Stall speed: 14 mph (23 km/h, 12 kn) depending on wing employed
  • Endurance: About 2 hours
  • Rate of climb: 400 ft/min (2.0 m/s)
  • The harness attached to the glider when it is tethered nose down and into wind
    The harness attached to the glider when it is tethered nose down and into wind
  • With full fuel the motorised harness weighs around 15 kg more than a standard hang gliding harness
    With full fuel the motorised harness weighs around 15 kg more than a standard hang gliding harness
  • A Pegasus rigid wing hang glider with a Mosquito A10 harness, the model previous to the NRG
    A Pegasus rigid wing hang glider with a Mosquito A10 harness, the model previous to the NRG
  • The tail section of the keel is removed to prevent conflict with the propeller.
    The tail section of the keel is removed to prevent conflict with the propeller.

References

  1. ^ a b c d Cliche, Andre: Ultralight Aircraft Shopper's Guide 8th Edition, page C-34. Cybair Limited Publishing, 2001. ISBN 0-9680628-1-4
  2. ^ a b Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 76. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
  3. ^ A-I-R GmbH (2 January 2012). "Model Overview, Facts and Data". Retrieved 1 February 2012.
  4. ^ Aeros (2011). "Discus". Retrieved 2 February 2012.
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