The Aeros Target is a family of
Ukrainianhigh-wing, single and two-place
hang gliders, designed and produced by
Aeros of
Kyiv and introduced in 1995. The two-place Target 21 Tandem remains in production in 2012.[1][2][3]
Design and development
The Target series was conceived as a single-place beginner's hang glider for
flight training and recreational flying and as such it has gentle flying characteristics. The design received
British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (BHPA) certification in 1995. Over time the line has been refined and in 2012 the Target 21 Tandem was the last of the line still in production.[2]
The 2003 model Target 162 was typical of the line. It is constructed from bolted together
aluminium tubing with its single-surface wing covered in
Dacron sailcloth. The wing is supported by
cables suspended from a
kingpost. The aircraft has weight-shift controls, actuated though an "A" frame control bar. Its 9.6 m (31.5 ft) span wing has an area of 16.2 m2 (174 sq ft), a nose angle of 120° and an
aspect ratio of 5.7:1. The pilot hook-in weight range is 60 to 100 kg (132 to 220 lb). The Target 162 sold for
£1790 in 2003.[1]
The single-place versions of the Target were replaced in the company's line by the
Aeros Fox.[4]
Variants
Target 13
Initial small-wing area version, introduced in 1995, certified by BHPA.[2]
Target 16
Initial large-wing area version, introduced in 1995, certified by BHPA. Re-designed in 2007 to reduce empty weight to 23.5 kg (52 lb).[2]
Target 132
Circa 2003 single-place model with 8.65 m (28.4 ft) span wing, wing area of 13.4 m2 (144 sq ft), a nose angle of 118° and an
aspect ratio of 5.6:1. The pilot hook-in weight range is 45 to 65 kg (99 to 143 lb). BHPA certified.[1]
Target 162
Circa 2003 single-place model with 9.6 m (31.5 ft) span wing, wing area of 16.2 m2 (174 sq ft), a nose angle of 120° and an
aspect ratio of 5.7:1. The pilot hook-in weight range is 60 to 100 kg (132 to 220 lb). BHPA certified.[1]
Target 192 Bi
Two-place model introduced in 1999, with 10.5 m (34.4 ft) span wing, wing area of 19.0 m2 (205 sq ft), a nose angle of 120° and an
aspect ratio of 5.7:1. The pilot hook-in minimum weight is 85 kg (187 lb).[1]
Target 21 Tandem
Two-place model introduced in 2006, BHPA certified in 2007 and still in production in 2012, made from
7075-T6 aluminium tubing. Has optional fixed wheeled landing gear with
bungee suspension.[2][3]