The A-I-R Atos is a German

high-wing A monoplane is a fixed-wing aircraft configuration with a single mainplane, in contrast to a biplane or other types of multiplanes, which have multiple wings. A monoplane has inherently the highest efficiency and lowest drag of any wing config ...

, single-place, rigid wing

hang glider Hang gliding is an air sport or recreational activity in which a pilot flies a light, non-motorised, fixed-wing heavier-than-air aircraft called a hang glider. Most modern hang gliders are made of an aluminium alloy or composite frame covered ...

designed by Felix Ruehle and produced by A-I-R GmbH of Halblech.Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: ''World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04'', page 40. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X

Design and development

The Atos was originally designed as a competition rigid wing hang glider in 1998, with production commencing the following year. Since then the design has undergone almost continuous refinement and a succession of model numbers. It remained in production in 2012. The aircraft structure is made from

carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer Carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (American English), carbon-fibre-reinforced polymers ( Commonwealth English), carbon-fiber-reinforced plastics, carbon-fiber reinforced-thermoplastic (CFRP, CRP, CFRTP), also known as carbon fiber, carbon comp ...

. The wing uses minimal cable bracing and incorporates both flaps and spoilers for roll control. The

aspect ratio The aspect ratio of a geometry, geometric shape is the ratio of its sizes in different dimensions. For example, the aspect ratio of a rectangle is the ratio of its longer side to its shorter side—the ratio of width to height, when the rectangl ...

for most models is in the range of 11:1 or 12:1. Achieved

glide ratio In aerodynamics, the lift-to-drag ratio (or L/D ratio) is the lift generated by an aerodynamic body such as an aerofoil or aircraft, divided by the aerodynamic drag caused by moving through air. It describes the aerodynamic efficiency under give ...

s run as high as 20:1. Later models incorporate a horizontal

tailplane A tailplane, also known as a horizontal stabilizer, is a small lift (force), lifting surface located on the tail (empennage) behind the main lifting surfaces of a fixed-wing aircraft as well as other non-fixed-wing aircraft such as helicopters ...

for improved stability. The Atos gliders are designed for folding for ground transportation. The largest model, the Atos VX, for example, can be folded into 5.80 x 0.48 x 0.20m (19.0 x 1.57 x 0.66 feet) in 18 minutes and weighs . Later model Atos are compatible with the Swedish Aerosport Mosquito power pack. The wing was also later developed into an

ultralight trike An ultralight trike or paratrike is a type of powered hang glider where flight control is by weight-shift control, weight-shift. These light-sport aircraft, aircraft have a fabric Rogallo wing, flex-wing from which is suspended a tricycle fusel ...

, the Ultralight Design Atos Trike. It can also be fitted to the

Veleria Dedalo Strike-T The Veleria Dedalo Strike-T is an Italian ultralight trike, designed and produced by Veleria Dedalo of Gradara. The aircraft is supplied complete and ready-to-fly.Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: ''World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16'' ...

trike.Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: ''World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16'', page 244. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015.

Operational history

The Atos series have been flown in the rigid wing class in World Hang Gliding Championships since 1999 and have won titles on many occasions.

Variants

;Atos C 135 :Model c. 2003 with a wingspan of , wing area of and aspect ratio of 11.3:1. DHV certification. ;Atos C 160 :Model c. 2003 with a wingspan of , wing area of and aspect ratio of 12.1:1. DHV certification. ;Atos C Classique 135 :Model c. 2003 with a wingspan of , wing area of and aspect ratio of 11.3:1. DHV certification. ;Atos C Classique 160 :Model c. 2003 with a wingspan of , wing area of and aspect ratio of 12.1:1. DHV certification. ;Atos C+ 135 :Model c. 2003 with a wingspan of , wing area of and aspect ratio of 11.3:1. DHV certification. ;Atos C+ 160 :Model c. 2003 with a wingspan of , wing area of and aspect ratio of 12.1:1. DHV certification. ;Atos VS :Model c. 2012 with a wingspan of , wing area of , aspect ratio of 11.8:1 and glide ratio of 19:1. DHV certification. ;Atos V :Model c. 2012 with a wingspan of , wing area of , aspect ratio of 12.1:1 and glide ratio of 19:1. DHV certification. ;Atos VQ :Model c. 2012 with a wingspan of , wing area of and aspect ratio of 13.5:1. DHV certification. ;Atos VR/VR10 :Model c. 2012 with a wingspan of , wing area of and aspect ratio of 13.3:1. DHV certification. ;Atos VX :Model c. 2012 with a wingspan of , wing area of , aspect ratio of 12.6:1 and glide ratio of 20:1. The VX is certified under DHV for two-place operations.

Specifications (Atos VX)

References

External links

*{{Official website, http://www.a-i-r.de Hang gliders