Helite Tsunami Explained

The Helite Tsunami (English: Tidal Wave) is a French high-wing, single-place, rigid-wing hang glider that was designed by Gérard Thevenot and produced by La Mouette under the Helite brand.^[1]

Design and development

The Tsunami was developed from the La Mouette Top Secret as a rigid wing competition hang glider. Thevenot decided to market it under his Helite brand which was also used for a line of powered parachutes. Available c. 2003, the aircraft is now out of production and the brand is no longer used.

The aircraft is made from tubing, with the wing covered in Dacron sailcloth. Its 12.91NaN1 area wing is a "topless" design with no kingpost. The nose angle is 145°.

Operational history

The Tsunami won a number of hang gliding championships in the rigid wing class.

Notes and References

1. Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 45. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X