Europe Sails Independent
| {{Infobox Aircraft Begin
| name=Independent | image= | caption= }}{{Infobox Aircraft Type | type=Hang glider | national origin=Austria | manufacturer=Europe Sails | designer= | first flight= | introduced=2003 | retired= | status=In production | primary user= | more users= | produced= 2003-present | number built= | program cost= | unit cost= €5168 (2003, Independent 14 model) | developed from= | variants with their own articles= }} |
The Europe Sails Independent is an Austrian high-wing, single-place, hang glider, designed and produced by Europe Sails.Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 43. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
Design and development
The Independent was introduced in 2003 as a "topless" competition design, lacking a kingpost and top rigging. It is available in two sizes.
The aircraft is made from a combination of 7075 aluminum tubing and carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer, with the wing covered in 170g Dacron sailcloth. The wing nose angle is 132°. The wing features carbon fibre tips to smooth airflow and improve handling. The model number indicates the approximate wing area in square meters.{{cite web|url = http://www.europe-sails.de/index.php?site=static&staticID=7|title = Independent|accessdate = 15 February 2012|last = Europe Sails|date = n.d.|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120308223239/http://europe-sails.de/index.php?site=static&staticID=7|archive-date = 8 March 2012|url-status = dead}}
Variants
;Independent 13
:Small sized model with a wing area of {{convert|13|m2|sqft|abbr=on}} and a wing span of {{convert|10|m|ft|1|abbr=on}}. The pilot hook-in weight range is {{convert|56|to|90|kg|lb|1|abbr=on}}. This model sold for €5084 in 2003.
;Independent 14
:Large sized model with a wing area of {{convert|14.3|m2|sqft|abbr=on}} and a wing span of {{convert|10.35|m|ft|1|abbr=on}}. The pilot hook-in weight range is {{convert|75|to|110|kg|lb|1|abbr=on}}. This model sold for €5168 in 2003.
Specifications (Independent 14)
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=Bertrand and Europe Sails
|prime units?=met
|genhide=
|crew=one
|capacity=
|length m=
|length ft=
|length in=
|length note=
|span m=10.35
|span ft=
|span in=
|span note=
|height m=
|height ft=
|height in=
|height note=
|wing area sqm=14.3
|wing area sqft=
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio=7.4:1
|airfoil=
|empty weight kg=33.5
|empty weight lb=
|empty weight note=
|gross weight kg=143.5
|gross weight lb=
|gross weight note=
|more general=
|perfhide=Y
|max speed kmh=
|max speed mph=
|max speed kts=
|max speed note=
|cruise speed kmh=
|cruise speed mph=
|cruise speed kts=
|cruise speed note=
|stall speed kmh=
|stall speed mph=
|stall speed kts=
|stall speed note=
|never exceed speed kmh=
|never exceed speed mph=
|never exceed speed kts=
|never exceed speed note=
|g limits=
|roll rate=
|glide ratio=
|sink rate ms=
|sink rate ftmin=
|sink rate note=
|lift to drag=
|wing loading kg/m2=
|wing loading lb/sqft=
|wing loading note=
|more performance=
}}
{{aircontent
|see also=
|related=
|similar aircraft=
|lists=
}}