| Aerodyne Technologies | |
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HW100 - 45000
UAW55 - 105000 RRW100 - 175000 PKRR - 7500 |
Aerodyne Technologies Aerodyne Technologies Type - Privately held company Industry - Aerospace Founded - before 2002 Defunct - 2008 Fate - Out of business Headquarters - Étrembières, France Key people - Michel Le Blanc Products - Paragliders Parent - Aerodyne International Group Aerodyne Technologies was a French aircraft manufacturer based in Étrembières and previously based in Talloires. The company specialized in the design and manufacture of paragliders and reserve parachutes. The company seems to have been founded before 2002 and gone out of business in 2008. The company was owned by Aerodyne International Group, which was headed by Dominique Marcu and seems to also no longer exist. Aerodyne Technologies was headed by Michel Le Blanc, who was formerly employed by paraglider manufacturers ITV Parapentes and Flying Planet. While headquartered in France, Aerodyne Technologies had its gliders constructed in a newly built factory in Mauritius. The company constructed a full line of gliders, from the beginner Aerodyne Yogi to the high-performance Shaman and the two-place Totem Bi for flight training. In 2003 the company's Jumbe glider was tested by South African reviewer Jaco Wolmarans in Annecy, France, against seven other competitor's gliders. He became very impressed with the stability and performance of the design in thermal flying and also with the company itself. He wrote, "I was so impressed by the company, after chatting to them about their range, workmanship and the like, that I offered to represent them in SA. They agreed." In early 2008, just before it went out of business, the company had certified its Joy model in four sizes as EN B. The Aerodyne Free had been released as a beginner's aerobatic model and the Feel was undergoing testing for certification in the EN C category, at that time forecast for April 2008. Eight different models of Aerodyne paragliders were flown by 45 pilots in 93 Paragliding World Cup competition races, between September 2002 and August 2011. Aircraft Paragliders built by Aerodyne Technologies: Aerodyne Blaster Aerodyne Cherokee Aerodyne Cool Aerodyne Dune Aerodyne Feel Aerodyne Free - beginner's aerobatic glider Aerodyne Freestyle Aerodyne Joy Aerodyne Jumbe Aerodyne Massai Aerodyne Shaman Aerodyne Shani Aerodyne Shaolin Aerodyne Shoot Aerodyne Totem Bi Aerodyne Yogi Aerodyne Blaster Blaster Role - Paraglider National origin - France Manufacturer - Aerodyne Technologies Designer - Michel Le Blanc Status - Production completed The Aerodyne Blaster is a series of French single-place paragliders that were designed by Michel Le Blanc and produced by Aerodyne Technologies of Talloires. Design and development The Blaster was designed as a competition glider, with three models, each named for their relative size. The small and medium sizes were developed first and AFNOR certified, followed by the large size, which was certified last. The design was certified by the French FFVl in 2003 as a competition glider. Operational history In the 2003 Canungra Cup held in Australia, James Lawson of Australia placed 7th on a Blaster on task one in a field of 47. In the 2003 IPC held in Chopok, Slovakia, Aleksander Talbierz competed for Poland, coming in 52nd out of a field of 53 competitors. Yoshiyuki Sato competed on a Blaster in the 2004 Pan Pacific Open in Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan and also in the Japanese Spring Cup. In the Pre-Paragliding World Championships held in Sopot, Bulgaria in 2004, David Snowden competed for Great Britain on a Blaster, finishing 15th out of a field of 106 in Task 5. Osa Kuroda competed on a Blaster in the 2008 Yoshinogawa Cup, placing 24th on task 1 in a field of 59 competitors, 26th on task 2 of 60 and finishing the competition in 45th place of 60. Blasters were flown by nine pilots in 22 Paragliding World Cup competition races, between September 2002 and July 2007. Variants Blaster S Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 11.96 m (39.2 ft) span wing has a wing area of 23.62 m2 (254.2 sq ft), 75 cells and the aspect ratio is 6.37:1. The glider model is AFNOR Com certified. Blaster M Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its 12.80 m (42.0 ft) span wing has a wing area of 25.74 m2 (277.1 sq ft), 75 cells and the aspect ratio is 6.37:1. The pilot weight range is 90 to 106 kg (198 to 234 lb). The glider model is AFNOR Com certified. Blaster L Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 13.20 m (43.3 ft) span wing has a wing area of 27.36 m2 (294.5 sq ft), 75 cells and the aspect ratio is 6.37:1. The glider model is AFNOR Com certified. Specifications (Blaster M) Data from Bertrand General characteristics Crew: one Wingspan: 12.80 m (42 ft 0 in) Wing area: 25.74 m2 (277.1 sq ft) Aspect ratio: 6.37:1 Performance Maximum speed: 56 km/h (35 mph, 30 kn) Aerodyne Jumbe Jumbe Role - Paraglider National origin - France Manufacturer - Aerodyne Technologies Designer - Michel Le Blanc Status - Production completed The Aerodyne Jumbe is a series of French single-place and two-place, paragliders that was designed by Michel Le Blanc and produced by Aerodyne Technologies of Talloires. Design and development The Jumbe was designed as an intermediate glider, with the five models each named for their relative size. The Jumbe XL is also known as the Shani and can be used for two-place flight training. The brake travel on the Jumbe was increased over the Spirit and this also increased performance of the design. Operational history In a 2003 report, South African paraglider reviewer Jaco Wolmarans describes flying the Jumbe and how he was impressed enough with the design to become a dealer for the company. He evaluated many gliders in use at the time and rated the Jumbe as the best. "When I arrived in Annecy, the shop had only a small Jumbe available, so I took it anyway and flew from the lower launch at Plan Fait. Since it is usually difficult to get up from here, and me being 5kg over the top, I wasn't expecting much so early in the day. In the light conditions, I was not surprised to find myself low over a hill upwind from the landing with not much height left over, but clinging tenaciously to a thermal. A Sky Bronte flying with me earlier had gone down, and the only other traffic was a super-fast UP Gambit, a guy leading an XC course who saw me circling and who came rushing over. We fought bravely, but, well, he landed before me. He landed and apparently muttered to Nicky, who helped me fold the glider (do this in your best French accent): "Djour friend, he flies well!" Imagine my surprise when on my next flight, I went on a little XC jaunt, and found myself low again, on the same hill, with the same UP for company! Poor guy must have felt rotten after that because I outclimbed him by 300m!" Jumbes were flown by seven pilots in 15 Paragliding World Cup competition races, between March 2007 and June 2010. Variants Jumbe XS Extra small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 11.1 m (36.4 ft) span wing has a wing area of 23.70 m2 (255.1 sq ft), 55 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.2:1. The pilot weight range is 57 to 68 kg (126 to 150 lb). The glider model is DHV 1-2 and AFNOR St certified. Jumbe S Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 11.5 m (37.7 ft) span wing has a wing area of 25.30 m2 (272.3 sq ft), 55 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.2:1. The pilot weight range is 64 to 84 kg (141 to 185 lb). The glider model is DHV 1-2 and AFNOR St certified. Jumbe M Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its 12 m (39.4 ft) span wing has a wing area of 27.55 m2 (296.5 sq ft), 55 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.2:1. The pilot weight range is 82 to 98 kg (181 to 216 lb). The glider model is DHV 1-2 and AFNOR St certified. Jumbe L Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 12.6 m (41.3 ft) span wing has a wing area of 29.90 m2 (321.8 sq ft), 55 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.2:1. The pilot weight range is 92 to 116 kg (203 to 256 lb). The glider model is DHV 1-2 and AFNOR St certified. Jumbe XL/Shani Extra large-sized model for heavier pilots and for lighter two-seat flights. It is also known as the Shani. Its 13.2 m (43.3 ft) span wing has a wing area of 33 m2 (360 sq ft), 55 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.2:1. The pilot weight range is 105 to 150 kg (231 to 331 lb). The glider model is AFNOR St certified. Specifications (Jumbe M) Data from Bertrand General characteristics Crew: one Wingspan: 12 m (39 ft 4 in) Wing area: 27.55 m2 (296.5 sq ft) Aspect ratio: 5.2:1 Aerodyne Shaman Shaman Role - Paraglider National origin - France Manufacturer - Aerodyne Technologies Designer - Michel Le Blanc Status - Production completed The Aerodyne Shaman is a series of French single-place paragliders that was designed by Michel Le Blanc and produced by Aerodyne Technologies of Talloires. Design and development The Shaman was designed as a high-performance cross country glider intended for experienced paraglider pilots, with the four models each named for their relative size. The design borrows from the Aerodyne Blaster's profile, with an emphasis on high-speed stability. The small, medium and large sizes were developed and certified first as AFNOR Performance, with the extra-small size developed and certified later. The glider was available in two versions, "standard" and "full race", the latter with trimmers and thin lines on the upper line system. Operational history Shamans were flown by four pilots in ten Paragliding World Cup competition races, between April 2004 and March 2011. Variants Shaman XS Extra small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 11.7 m (38.4 ft) span wing has a wing area of 22.70 m2 (244.3 sq ft), 69 cells and the aspect ratio is 6:1. The pilot weight range is 63 to 75 kg (139 to 165 lb). The glider model is AFNOR P certified. Shaman S Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 12 m (39.4 ft) span wing has a wing area of 24.30 m2 (261.6 sq ft), 69 cells and the aspect ratio is 6:1. The pilot weight range is 70 to 82 kg (154 to 181 lb). The glider model is AFNOR P certified. Shaman M Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its 12.6 m (41.3 ft) span wing has a wing area of 26.45 m2 (284.7 sq ft), 69 cells and the aspect ratio is 6:1. The pilot weight range is 80 to 100 kg (176 to 220 lb). The glider model is AFNOR P certified. Shaman L Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 13.1 m (43.0 ft) span wing has a wing area of 28.70 m2 (308.9 sq ft), 69 cells and the aspect ratio is 6:1. The pilot weight range is 97 to 120 kg (214 to 265 lb). The glider model is AFNOR P certified. Specifications (Shaman M) Data from Bertrand General characteristics Crew: one Wingspan: 12.6 m (41 ft 4 in) Wing area: 26.45 m2 (284.7 sq ft) Aspect ratio: 6:1 Performance Maximum speed: 52 km/h (32 mph, 28 kn) Aerodyne Totem Bi Totem Bi Role - Paraglider National origin - France Manufacturer - Aerodyne Technologies Designer - Michel Le Blanc Status - Production completed The Aerodyne Totem Bi (English: Biplace or two-seater) is a French two-place, paraglider that was designed by Michel Le Blanc and produced by Aerodyne Technologies of Talloires. Design and development The Totem Bi was designed as a two-place paraglider for flight training. The aircraft's 14.62 m (48.0 ft) span wing has 53 cells, a wing area of 42.60 m2 (458.5 sq ft) and an aspect ratio of 5.01:1. The pilot weight range is 130 to 230 kg (287 to 507 lb). The glider is AFNOR Biplace certified. Specifications (Totem Bi) Data from Bertrand General characteristics Crew: one Capacity: one passenger Wingspan: 14.62 m (48 ft 0 in) Wing area: 42.60 m2 (458.5 sq ft) Aspect ratio: 5.01:1 Aerodyne Yogi Yogi Role - Paraglider National origin - France Manufacturer - Aerodyne Technologies Designer - Michel Le Blanc Status - Production completed The Aerodyne Yogi is a series of French single-place, paragliders that was designed by Michel Le Blanc and produced by Aerodyne Technologies of Talloires. Design and development The Yogi was designed as a beginner glider for school, with the four models each named for their relative size. Compared to other beginner gliders it was designed to exhibit better progressive launch behaviour and require less physical launch effort. It rolls more easily upon brake applications and has better stability, all desirable traits for a training glider. Variants Yogi XS Extra small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 10.5 m (34.4 ft) span wing has a wing area of 23.80 m2 (256.2 sq ft), 35 cells and the aspect ratio is 4.62:1. The pilot weight range is 55 to 70 kg (121 to 154 lb). The glider model is AFNOR St certified. Yogi S Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 10.95 m (35.9 ft) span wing has a wing area of 25.90 m2 (278.8 sq ft), 35 cells and the aspect ratio is 4.62:1. The pilot weight range is 65 to 80 kg (143 to 176 lb). The glider model is AFNOR St certified. Yogi M Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its 11.4 m (37.4 ft) span wing has a wing area of 28.10 m2 (302.5 sq ft), 35 cells and the aspect ratio is 4.62:1. The pilot weight range is 75 to 95 kg (165 to 209 lb). The glider model is AFNOR St certified. Yogi L Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 11.85 m (38.9 ft) span wing has a wing area of 30.40 m2 (327.2 sq ft), 35 cells and the aspect ratio is 4.62:1. The pilot weight range is 90 to 115 kg (198 to 254 lb). The glider model is AFNOR St certified. Specifications (Yogi M) Data from Bertrand General characteristics Crew: one Wingspan: 11.4 m (37 ft 5 in) Wing area: 28.10 m2 (302.5 sq ft) Aspect ratio: 4.62:1 |