Avian Rio
| Rio | |
|---|---|
| Role | Hang glider |
| National origin | United Kingdom |
| Manufacturer | Avian Limited |
| Designer | Steve Elkins and Neil Hammerton |
| Status | In production |
| Unit cost |
£2127 (2003 price) |
The Avian Rio is a British high-wing, single-place, recreational hang glider, designed by Steve Elkins and Neil Hammerton and produced by Avian Limited of Hope Valley, Derbyshire.[1][2]
Design and development
The Rio was designed as a sports glider for recreational local and cross country flying, while still being light in weight and easy to fly.[1][2]
The Rio 15 model the sole version produced and is made from aluminum tubing, with the wing covered in Dacron sailcloth. Its 9.4 m (30.8 ft) span wing has a nose angle of 120° and an aspect ratio of 6:1. The acceptable pilot hook-in weight is 61 to 95 kg (134 to 209 lb). The model number indicates the wing area in square metres.[1]
The glider can be broken down to a 27.3 kg (60 lb) package, 3.8 m (12.5 ft) in length for ground transportation on a car top.[2]
Specifications (Rio 15)
Data from Avian[2]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Wingspan: 9.4 m (30 ft 10 in)
- Wing area: 15 m2 (160 sq ft)
- Aspect ratio: 6:1
- Empty weight: 25.5 kg (56 lb) rigged ready for flight
- Gross weight: 135.5 kg (299 lb)
Performance
- Stall speed: 24 km/h (15 mph; 13 kn)
- Never exceed speed: 80 km/h (50 mph; 43 kn) in turbulent air
- Rate of sink: 1.0 m/s (200 ft/min)
- Wing loading: 9.0 kg/m2 (1.8 lb/sq ft)