Glider Database for the Hang II

The Hang II Glider Database

There are a restricted number of choices of gliders for a new hang II student. The list below summarizes your choices. These lists are arranged in order of age and performance. Newer gliders usually are lighter, stronger, and better handling. I strongly recommend not to purchase any glider manufactured before 1990 and definitely not before 1980. These gliders, although airworthy, can frustate your progress and cause you to develop muscles you thought didn't have. The difference in ease of training and learning can be dramatic from antique gliders versus the modern designs. If you are purchasing a double surface glider as an upgrade from your single surface, you must knock down your rating by 1/2. Get instruction!

Wills Wing
Year manufactured Size (sq ft) Weight range (lbs) Description Cost
Spectrum 1991-1995 144 165 Double surface. Handling abit stiff and flare envelope smaller $500-$1200
Falcon 1 1995-2002 140 170 195 225 120-190 140-220 150-250 185-300 Single Surface. Light weight, statically balanced, good performance The best modern trainer and beginner glider $1000-$2000
Falcon 2 2002- 140 170 195 225 120-190 140-220 150-250 185-300 Single Surface. Stall speed is reduced as much as 2 mph on each size. Stall character is more gradual $2200-Retail
Eagle 145 164 180 125-200 150-250 175-275 Double surface. For pilots with solid, basic skills, the Eagle provides the vehicle for the most rapid, anxiety-free development of your flying ability and expansion of your flying experience. $2200-Retail

Moyes
Year manufactured Size Weight range Description Cost
Sonic 165 190 120-220 160-240 60% double surface flex wing
Ventura Single Surface. Aimed at those pilots entering the sport of hang gliding

Pacific Airwave
Year manufactured Size Weight range Description Cost
Mark IV 1988-1992 170, 190 First real good beginner double surface glider to be manufactured. Lower weight, good handling with decreased stall speeds is finally achieved
Pulse 1992-1996 9, 10, 11(in sq meters) Double surface. Very easy handling and better performing glider without the heavy bar pressures of the Mark IV

Miscellaneous Earlier Generation Gliders
Year manufactured Size Weight range Description Cost
Raven 1979 - 1981 179, 209, 229 Easy handling Single surface trainer Uncambered fiberglass battens Poor penetration Statically tail heavy
Lancer and Super 1979-1981 155, 170, 180, 190, 200 Single surface. Comparable to Raven without tail heaviness
Javelin 1981-1983 168, 208 Single surface. Better performance than Lancer series
Dream 1985- 145, 165, 185,205, 220, 240 Docile handling, easy landing, poor glide/penetration. The 145 was one of the few good trainers for light (under 120 lb) pilots
Skyhawk 1984 - 1989 168, 188 Single surface. Low top end speed, but it will turn on a dime and is well-engineered. Heavy
Vision 1983 - 1986 160, 180, 200 Double surface.Good landing characteristics. Poor penetration for double surface
Eclipse 1986 - 1987 170, 190 Double surface. Next generation Vision
XTC 205 Single surface trainer series 205 size used as tandem glider

	Year manufactured	Size (sq ft)	Weight range (lbs)	Description	Cost
Spectrum	1991-1995	144 165		Double surface. Handling abit stiff and flare envelope smaller	$500-$1200
Falcon 1	1995-2002	140 170 195 225	120-190 140-220 150-250 185-300	Single Surface. Light weight, statically balanced, good performance The best modern trainer and beginner glider	$1000-$2000
Falcon 2	2002-	140 170 195 225	120-190 140-220 150-250 185-300	Single Surface. Stall speed is reduced as much as 2 mph on each size. Stall character is more gradual	$2200-Retail
Eagle		145 164 180	125-200 150-250 175-275	Double surface. For pilots with solid, basic skills, the Eagle provides the vehicle for the most rapid, anxiety-free development of your flying ability and expansion of your flying experience.	$2200-Retail

	Year manufactured	Size	Weight range	Description	Cost
Sonic		165 190	120-220 160-240	60% double surface flex wing
Ventura				Single Surface. Aimed at those pilots entering the sport of hang gliding

	Year manufactured	Size	Weight range	Description	Cost
Mark IV	1988-1992	170, 190		First real good beginner double surface glider to be manufactured. Lower weight, good handling with decreased stall speeds is finally achieved
Pulse	1992-1996	9, 10, 11(in sq meters)		Double surface. Very easy handling and better performing glider without the heavy bar pressures of the Mark IV

	Year manufactured	Size	Description
Raven	1979 - 1981	179, 209, 229	Easy handling Single surface trainer Uncambered fiberglass battens Poor penetration Statically tail heavy
Lancer and Super	1979-1981	155, 170, 180, 190, 200	Single surface. Comparable to Raven without tail heaviness
Javelin	1981-1983	168, 208	Single surface. Better performance than Lancer series
Dream	1985-	145, 165, 185,205, 220, 240	Docile handling, easy landing, poor glide/penetration. The 145 was one of the few good trainers for light (under 120 lb) pilots
Skyhawk	1984 - 1989	168, 188	Single surface. Low top end speed, but it will turn on a dime and is well-engineered. Heavy
Vision	1983 - 1986	160, 180, 200	Double surface.Good landing characteristics. Poor penetration for double surface
Eclipse	1986 - 1987	170, 190	Double surface. Next generation Vision
XTC		205	Single surface trainer series 205 size used as tandem glider