Offpiste Discovery Explained

The Offpiste Discovery is a series of British high-wing, single or two-place, hang gliders that were designed by Bill Pain and produced by Colin Lark's company Offpiste Aviation Limited (Off The Beaten Track) of Dursley, Gloucestershire. Now out of production, when it was available the series of aircraft were supplied complete and ready-to-fly.[1] [2]

Design and development

The Discovery series was designed as a Super Floater glider, for fun, local flying and an emphasis on lightness of weight, ease of rigging and simple handling requirements. It is made from aluminum tubing, with the single-surface wing covered in Dacron sailcloth. All models were British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association certified.[1]

The series have been frequently used in conjunction with a powered harness, as powered hang gliders.[1]

By the mid-2000s the series had become the best-selling hang gliders in the UK.[3]

Variants

Discovery 160
  • Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 9.141NaN1 span wing is cable braced from a single kingpost. The nose angle is 125°, wing area is 14.8m2 and the aspect ratio is 5.6:1. The pilot hook-in weight range is 55to.[1]
    Discovery 195
  • Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 10.361NaN1 span wing is cable braced from a single kingpost. The nose angle is 125°, wing area is 18.1m2 and the aspect ratio is 5.6:1. The pilot hook-in weight range is 66to.[1]
    Discovery 195S
  • Reinforced 195 model for much heavier pilots. Its 10.361NaN1 span wing is cable braced from a single kingpost. The nose angle is 125°, wing area is 18.1m2 and the aspect ratio is 5.6:1. The pilot hook-in weight range is 85to.[1]
    Discovery Bi 210
  • Model for dual use. Its 10.71NaN1 span wing is cable braced from a single kingpost. The nose angle is 125°, wing area is 19.6m2 and the aspect ratio is 5.6:1. The pilot hook-in weight range is 114to.[1]

    Notes and References

    1. Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 47. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003.
    2. Web site: Skyfloating, Colin Lark and the Discovery. https://web.archive.org/web/20050206210759/http://www.skyfloating.com/. 6 February 2005. skyfloating.com. 20 February 2016.
    3. Web site: About Offpiste Aviation Ltd.. https://web.archive.org/web/20020212051917/http://www.skyfloating.com/about.htm. 12 February 2002. skyfloating.com. 20 February 2016.

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