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Helite Tsunami

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tsunami
Role Hang glider
National origin France
Manufacturer La Mouette
Designer Gérard Thevenot
Status Production completed
Developed from La Mouette Top Secret

The Helite Tsunami (English: Tidal Wave) is a French high-wing, single-place, rigid-wing hang glider that was designed by Gérard Thevenot and produced by La Mouette under the Helite brand.[1]

Design and development

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The Tsunami was developed from the La Mouette Top Secret as a rigid wing competition hang glider. Thevenot decided to market it under his Helite brand which was also used for a line of powered parachutes. Available c. 2003, the aircraft is now out of production and the brand is no longer used.[1]

The aircraft is made from tubing, with the wing covered in Dacron sailcloth. Its 12.9 m2 (138.9 sq ft) area wing is a "topless" design with no kingpost. The nose angle is 145°.[1]

Operational history

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The Tsunami won a number of hang gliding championships in the rigid wing class.[1]

Specifications

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Data from Bertrand[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Wing area: 12.9 m2 (139 sq ft)

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 45. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X