Icaro Laminar Explained

The Icaro Laminar is a large family of Italian high-wing, single-place and two-place hang gliders, designed and produced by Icaro 2000.[1]

Design and development

The Laminar family of hang gliders was introduced in 1994 and has undergone continuous product improvement, keeping the line at the top of world competition.[2]

The aircraft is made from aluminum and carbon fibre tubing, with the wing covered in Dacron sailcloth. Some models use Mylar sail components. The competition Laminars are "topless" designs with no kingpost or upper rigging. The MastR model was introduced for pilots who wanted the Laminar wing with a kingpost.

Operational history

The Laminar series has won many World Hang Gliding Championships, including the 2011 contest held at Monte Cucco, Italy, when first and second places went to Alex Ploner and Christian Ciech flying Laminar Z9 models.

Variants

Laminar 12 MR 700
  • Small sized model for lighter pilots, produced circa 2003 and no longer in production. Its 9.841NaN1 span wing is a "topless" design without a kingpost. The nose angle is 130°, wing area is 13.17m2 and the aspect ratio is 7.25:1. Pilot hook-in weight range is 50to. DHV certified.
    Laminar 13 MR 700
  • Medium sized model for mid-weight pilots, produced circa 2003 and no longer in production. Its 101NaN1 span wing is a "topless" design without a kingpost. The nose angle is 130°, wing area is 13.7m2 and the aspect ratio is 7.41:1. Pilot hook-in weight range is 60to. DHV certified.
    Laminar 14 MR 700
  • Large sized model for heavier pilots, produced circa 2003 and no longer in production. Its 10.51NaN1 span wing is a "topless" design without a kingpost. The nose angle is 130°, wing area is 14.9m2 and the aspect ratio is 7.51:1. Pilot hook-in weight range is 75to. DHV certified.
    Laminar Easy 14
  • Small sized model for lighter pilots, produced circa 2003 and no longer in production. Its 10.31NaN1 span wing is cable braced from a single kingpost. The nose angle is 127°, wing area is 14.5m2 and the aspect ratio is 7.3:1. Pilot hook-in weight range is 65to. DHV certified.
    Laminar Easy 16
  • Large sized model for heavier pilots, produced circa 2003 and no longer in production. Its 10.151NaN1 span wing is cable braced from a single kingpost. The nose angle is 127°, wing area is 15.7m2 and the aspect ratio is 7:1. Pilot hook-in weight range is 75to. DHV certified.
    Laminar Biplace
  • Two-place model for flight training and tourist flying, produced circa 2003 and no longer in production. Its 11.21NaN1 span wing is cable braced from a single kingpost. The nose angle is 127°, wing area is 21m2 and the aspect ratio is 5:1. Pilot hook-in weight range is 115to. DHV certified.
    Laminar MastR 12
  • Small sized model for lighter pilots, produced circa 2003 and no longer in production. Its 9.91NaN1 span wing is cable braced from a single kingpost. The nose angle is 130°, wing area is 14.5m2 and the aspect ratio is 7.3:1. Pilot hook-in weight range is 45to. DHV certified as Class 2-3.
    Laminar MastR 13
  • Medium sized model for mid-weight pilots, produced circa 2003 and no longer in production. Its 101NaN1 span wing is cable braced from a single kingpost. The nose angle is 130°, wing area is 13.2m2 and the aspect ratio is 7.6:1. Pilot hook-in weight range is 55to. DHV and SHV certified as Class 2-3.
    Laminar MastR 14
  • Large sized model for heavier pilots, produced circa 2003 and no longer in production. Its 10.41NaN1 span wing is cable braced from a single kingpost. The nose angle is 130°, wing area is 14.4m2 and the aspect ratio is 7.51:1. Pilot hook-in weight range is 65to. DHV and SHV certified as Class 3.
    Laminar Z9 12.6
  • Introduced in 2010, extra small sized model for small pilots. Its 9.611NaN1 span wing is a "topless" design without a kingpost. The nose angle is 132°, wing area is 12.52m2 and the aspect ratio is 7.38:1. Pilot hook-in weight range is 55to. DHV certified as Class 3.
    Laminar Z9 13.2
  • Introduced in 2010, small sized model for light pilots. Its 10.051NaN1 span wing is a "topless" design without a kingpost. The nose angle is 132°, wing area is 13.24m2 and the aspect ratio is 7.63:1. Pilot hook-in weight range is 70to. DHV certified as Class 3.
    Laminar Z9 13.7
  • Introduced in 2010, medium sized model for mid-weight pilots. Its 10.051NaN1 span wing is a "topless" design without a kingpost. The nose angle is 132°, wing area is 13.88m2 and the aspect ratio is 7.28:1. Pilot hook-in weight range is 80to. DHV certified as Class 3.
    Laminar Z9 14.1
  • Introduced in 2010, large small sized model for heavier pilots. Its 10.541NaN1 span wing is a "topless" design without a kingpost. The nose angle is 134°, wing area is 14.16m2 and the aspect ratio is 7.85:1. Pilot hook-in weight range is 90to. DHV certified as Class 3.
    Laminar Z9 14.8
  • Introduced in 2010, extra large sized model for very heavy pilots. Its 10.541NaN1 span wing is a "topless" design without a kingpost. The nose angle is 134°, wing area is 14.82m2 and the aspect ratio is 7.5:1. Pilot hook-in weight range is 100to. DHV certified as Class 3.
    MastR S
  • Small sized model for light pilots. Its 9.41NaN1 span wing is cable braced from a single kingpost. The nose angle is 128°, wing area is 12.6m2 and the aspect ratio is 7.01:1. Pilot hook-in weight range is 50to. DHV certified as Class 3.[3]
    MastR M
  • Medium sized model for mid-weight pilots. Its 10.061NaN1 span wing is cable braced from a single kingpost. The nose angle is 131°, wing area is 13.77m2 and the aspect ratio is 7.35:1. Pilot hook-in weight range is 70to. DHV certified as Class 3.
    MastR L
  • Large sized model for heavy pilots. Its 10.481NaN1 span wing is cable braced from a single kingpost. The nose angle is 131°, wing area is 14.88m2 and the aspect ratio is 7.38:1. Pilot hook-in weight range is 85to. DHV certified as Class 3.

    Applications

    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
    2. Web site: Laminar again the 2011 World Champion Hang Glider. 21 February 2012. Icaro 2000. 2011.
    3. Web site: Hang Glider MastR. 21 February 2012. Icaro 2000. n.d..

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