
Airborne Australia are selling a version of their Fun 2 hang glider, the F2-T, that can be flown unpowered, or powered by their Nanolight trikes.
The F2-T is a strongly-built version of the Fun 2 entry-level hang glider. It has a bigger keel and stronger-gauge wires, and is generally sold with a V-Lite or T-Lite trike, although it can be bought separately. It’s available in the 190 size only, and Airborne say it’s exceptionally easy to groundhandle, even in strong conditions, and has a great sink rate.
The V-Lite and T-Lite nanotrikes are powered by Polini engines and offer impressive climb rates, Airborne say. The real beauty of the set-up, though, is that you can power up to cloudbase and then engine-off and free-fly to your heart’s content, as John Bremer demonstrates in the video above, switching from powered to unpowered flight and back again for a great day out!
The V-Lite with the Polini Thor 130 20.5HP engine is sub 70kg, which under Australian rules means that hang glider pilots can fly it with just a simple power endorsement, no need for a full microlight licence. To keep it under 70kg it does not come with the electric start or front brake.
The T-Lite with the Polini Thor 190 27HP engine has an electric start and front disc brake. It is over 70kg though, so in Australia you need a full trike licence to fly one.
Airborne say that both the T-Lite and V-Lite trikes are quick and easy to assemble, and break down small enough to fit into a car boot.
The guys at Adelaide Airsports test-flew the F2-T with their own trike, and wrote on Facebook, “It flew great with light handling and a joy to fly. I love the simple, easy, relaxed style of flying these lightweight trikes offer!”
Prices start at AU$17,500 (€12,000) for the F2-T/V-Lite and AU$21,000 (€14000) for the F2-T/T-Lite.
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