Firebird Hornet

Hornet
	Hornet Sport
Role	Paraglider
National origin	Germany
Manufacturer	Firebird Sky Sports AG
Status	Production completed
Produced	mid-2000s

The Firebird Hornet is a German single-place, paraglider that was designed and produced by Firebird Sky Sports AG of Füssen in the mid-2000s. It is now out of production.^[1]

Design and development

The Hornet was designed as an intermediate glider. The models are each named for their relative size.^[1]

Variants

Hornet S: Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 11.88 m (39.0 ft) span wing has a wing area of 25.27 m² (272.0 sq ft), 49 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.58:1. The pilot weight range is 55 to 75 kg (121 to 165 lb). The glider model is DHV 2GH certified.^[1]
Hornet M: Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its 12.37 m (40.6 ft) span wing has a wing area of 26.43 m² (284.5 sq ft), 49 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.58:1. The pilot weight range is 70 to 95 kg (154 to 209 lb). The glider model is DHV 2GH certified.^[1]
Hornet L: Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 12.99 m (42.6 ft) span wing has a wing area of 30.23 m² (325.4 sq ft), 49 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.58:1. The pilot weight range is 90 to 115 kg (198 to 254 lb). The glider model is DHV 2GH certified.^[1]
Hornet Sport S: Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 11.74 m (38.5 ft) span wing has a wing area of 24.0 m² (258 sq ft), 59 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.74:1. The pilot weight range is 60 to 85 kg (132 to 187 lb). The glider model is DHV 2GH certified.^[1]
Hornet Sport M: Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its 12.26 m (40.2 ft) span wing has a wing area of 26.2 m² (282 sq ft), 59 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.74:1. The pilot weight range is 80 to 105 kg (176 to 231 lb). The glider model is DHV 2GH certified.^[1]
Hornet Sport L: Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 12.77 m (41.9 ft) span wing has a wing area of 28.40 m² (305.7 sq ft), 59 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.74:1. The pilot weight range is 100 to 130 kg (220 to 287 lb). The glider model is DHV 2GH certified.^[1]

Specifications (Hornet L)

Data from Bertrand^[1]

General characteristics

Crew: one
Wingspan: 12.99 m (42 ft 7 in)
Wing area: 30.23 m² (325.4 sq ft)
Aspect ratio: 5.58:1

Performance

Maximum speed: 51 km/h (32 mph, 28 kn)
Rate of sink: 1.1 m/s (220 ft/min)

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 16. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X

External links

[WDLA04-1] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 16. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X

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