La Mouette Atlas Explained
The
La Mouette Atlas is a French high-wing, single-place,
hang glider, designed and produced by
La Mouette of
Fontaine-lès-Dijon.
[1] Design and development
The Atlas was initially conceived as a competition hang glider, and, in that role it achieved many competitive wins. Due to its ease of handling it was also used as a flight training aircraft. As its performance was surpassed by the newer double surface and later "topless" hang gliders it became no longer competitive, but retained its role as a training machine. Over 8000 have been built, making it one of the most produced hang gliders ever.[2]
The aircraft is made from aluminum tubing, with the single-surface wing covered in Dacron sailcloth. All models have a 9.31NaN1 span wing, which is cable braced from a single kingpost. The nose angle is 120°. All models are certified as DHV Class 2.
Operational history
When the Atlas was competitive it won national championships in most European countries. It also won championships in Argentina, Brazil and Japan, as well as the European championships and world team championships.
Variants
- Atlas 14
Small-size model for lighter pilots. Its wing area is 13.8m2 and the aspect ratio is 6.25:1. Empty weight is 240NaN0 and the pilot hook-in weight range is 50to. The aircraft can be folded to a package as short as 22NaN2 for ground transportation or storage.
- Atlas 16
Large-size model for heavier pilots. Its wing area is 15.8m2 and the aspect ratio is 6.20:1. Empty weight is 250NaN0 and the pilot hook-in weight range is 65to. The aircraft can be folded into a package as short as 2.22NaN2 for ground transportation or storage.External links
Notes and References
- Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 46. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
- Web site: Atlas. 28 February 2012. La Mouette. n.d.. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120619193246/http://lamouette.com/en/atlas.php. 19 June 2012.
