Many schools have noted the difficulty heavy student pilots have to quickly enter sustained flight without making long and dangerous take-off runs. The Sol’R project was born from this observation.

The Sol’R concept was to create a light wing, which would take-off quickly and at low speed, suitable for 80kg+ pilots.

Our implementation of modern technologies into a school wing, quickly yielded excellent results, so we were encouraged to develop a second size for pilots weighing less than 80 kg and eventually a third XL size for pilots above 110kg.

Teaching above all

The Sol’R is intended to be educational, the objective is to get as close as possible to modern recreational hang gliders. From assembly, the procedure is the same as for a standard wing. When carried, the wing has neutral static balance, making it ideal for easy takeoff.

During the take-off run, the glider quickly takes the weight of the pilot and control gestures are immediately possible. The wing is manoeuvrable, smooth with little inertia and although stable on the trajectory, it does not require much effort to control.

The Sol’R is a modern learning tool that matches current teaching techniques where beginners are not required to adapt to the material.

Technology

Modern wing materials are used: the structure is entirely in Zicral, a very light aluminum alloy and the wing is in light Dacron.

The ergonomics of the control frame have been redesigned: the small uprights allow easy portability, the control bar is a reasonable distance from the ground, its geometry makes the wing statically neutral to the incidence of flight. The landing flare is more efficient thanks to the rear position of the top of the control frame, a technology used on all modern wings.

The Sol’R has a large surface area for a modest aspect ratio, and a nose angle of 120 °.