Wills Wing U2

U2
Role Hang glider
National origin United States
Manufacturer Wills Wing
Introduction 2003
Status In production (2016)
Produced 2003-present

The Wills Wing U2 is an American high-wing, single-place, hang glider, designed and produced by Wills Wing of Orange, California since 2003. The aircraft is supplied complete and ready-to-fly.[1]

Design and development

The U2 was conceived as a recreational intermediate glider with performance nearing that of competition gliders, like the Wills Wing T2. The U2 is made from 7075 aluminium alloy tubing, with the 84% double-surface wing covered in Dacron sailcloth. The U2 includes a variable geometry (VG) system that tensions the sail for higher glide performance.[1][2]

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

The glider is also sold by Tecma Sport of France as the Techma Sport U2.[3]

Variants

U2 145
Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 31.3 ft (9.5 m) span wing is cable-braced from a single king post. The nose angle is 125–128° depending on VG setting, wing area is 145 sq ft (13.5 m2) and the aspect ratio is 6.8:1. The glider empty weight is 63 lb (29 kg) and the pilot hook-in weight range is 140 to 220 lb (64 to 100 kg). The glider model was HGMA certified in 2003.[1][2][4]
U2 160
Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 33.1 ft (10.1 m) span wing is cable braced from a single kingpost. The nose angle is 125–128° depending on VG setting, wing area is 160 sq ft (15 m2) and the aspect ratio is 6.8:1. The glider empty weight is 68 lb (31 kg) and the pilot hook-in weight range is 160 to 260 lb (73 to 118 kg). The glider model was HGMA certified in 2003.[1][2][4]

Specifications (U2 145)

Data from Bertrand and manufacturer[1][2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Wingspan: 31 ft 4 in (9.55 m)
  • Wing area: 145 sq ft (13.5 m2)
  • Aspect ratio: 6.8:1
  • Empty weight: 63 lb (29 kg)

Performance

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 50. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
  2. ^ a b c d "U2". Wills Wing. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
  3. ^ Tecma Sport. "Tecma U2". tecma-sport.com. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
  4. ^ a b Wills Wing Support. "HGMA Certified Wills Wing Gliders". Wills Wing. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
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