{{Short description|Ukrainian hang glider}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}} {{Use British English|date=May 2022}} <!-- This article is a part of Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft. Please see Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout. --> {{Infobox aircraft | name = Discus | logo = | logo_size = | image = | alt = | caption = | long_caption = | other_names = | aircraft_type = Hang glider | aim = | outcome = | related = | national_origin = Ukraine | manufacturer = Aeros | design_group = | designer = | builder = | issuer = | status = In production | owners = | primary_user = | more_users = | service = | major_applications = | proposals = | prototypes = | number_built = | construction_number = | civil_registration = | military_serial = | radio_code = | requirement = | aircraft_carried = | flights = | total_hours = | total_distance = | construction_date = | introduction = 2002 | retired = | first_flight = | initiated = | in_service = | last_flight = | expected = | developed_from = | variants = | developed_into = | preservation = | fate = | predecessors = | successors = | concluded = }} The '''Aeros Discus''' is a family of Ukrainian high-wing, single-place, hang gliders, designed and produced by Aeros of Kyiv and introduced in 2002.<ref name="WDLA04">Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: ''World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04'', page 41. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X</ref><ref name="Hist">{{Cite web|url = http://www.aeros.com.ua/structure/about/about_en.php|title = Chronicles of AEROS Company|accessdate = 2 February 2012|last = Aeros|date = 2008}}</ref>
==Design and development== The Discus series was conceived as a single-place intermediate hang glider for recreational cross country flying.<ref name="WDLA04" /><ref name="Hist" />
Aeros explains the design role:
{{Blockquote|Not everyone has the desire or ability to take part in masters’ competitions. A lot of pilots just enjoy flying cross-country or soaring in familiar places without feeling the restraints of a hang glider for beginners. This problem is easily solved with the help of an intermediate glider. Such gliders combine rather high performance with simple piloting and maintaining. They are more comfortable in the air than competitive gliders and easier to land.<ref name="DiscusAB">{{Cite web|url = http://www.aeros.com.ua/structure/hg/discus_en.php|title = Discus|accessdate = 2 February 2012|last = Aeros|date = 2011}}</ref> }}
Typical of the line, the Discus 148 model is made from aluminium tubing, with the wing covered in Dacron sailcloth. Its {{convert|10.0|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} span wing is cable braced with a kingpost. The nose angle is 128° and the aspect ratio is 7.3:1.<ref name="WDLA04" />
The wing is also used on the Aeros ANT and the British Flylight Dragonfly, Flylight Motorfloater and Flylight E-Dragon ultralight trikes in its Discus T configuration.<ref name="WDLA11">Bayerl, Robby; Martin Berkemeier; et al: ''World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2011-12'', page 212. WDLA UK, Lancaster UK, 2011. ISSN 1368-485X</ref><ref name="WDLA15">Tacke, Willi; Marino Boric; et al: ''World Directory of Light Aviation 2015-16'', page 215. Flying Pages Europe SARL, 2015. {{ISSN|1368-485X}}</ref> <!-- ==Operational history== -->
==Variants== ;Discus :Original model introduced as an intermediate glider in 2002.<ref name="Hist" /> ;Discus 148 :Version sold circa 2003.<ref name="WDLA04" /> ;Discus A :Version sold in 2012, with {{convert|4.0|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} length when packed for ground transportation.<ref name="DiscusAB" /> ;Discus B :Version sold in 2012, with {{convert|2.4|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} length when packed for ground transportation.<ref name="DiscusAB" /> ;Discus C :Introduced in 2006, this model offers higher performance. It features a Matrix (Bainbridge) sail and Wills Wing Litestream down tubes, Wills Wing basebar with streamlined fittings and a Wills Wing Slipstream kingpost.<ref name="Hist" /><ref name="DiscusC">{{Cite web|url = http://www.aeros.com.ua/structure/hg/discusC_en.php|title = Discus C|accessdate = 2 February 2012|last = Aeros|date = 2011}}</ref> ;Discus M :Version with modified keel for use with Swedish Aerosport Mosquito and other power packages.<ref name="DiscusAB" /> ;Discus 15T :Version of the basic Discus wing, reinforced and with a modified control bar, for use on small ultralight trikes.<ref name="DiscusAB" /> <!-- ==Aircraft on display== -->
==Specifications (Discus 148) == {{Aircraft specs |ref=Bertrand<ref name="WDLA04" /> |prime units?=met<!-- imp or kts first for US aircraft, and UK aircraft pre-metrification, met(ric) first for all others. You MUST choose a format, or no specifications will show --> <!-- General characteristics --> |genhide=
|crew=one |capacity= |length m= |length ft= |length in= |length note= |span m=10.0 |span ft= |span in= |span note= |height m= |height ft= |height in= |height note= |wing area sqm=13.7 |wing area sqft= |wing area note= |aspect ratio=7.3:1 |airfoil= |empty weight kg= |empty weight lb= |empty weight note= |gross weight kg= |gross weight lb= |gross weight note= |more general= <!-- Performance --> |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=<!-- at {{convert|XX|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}} --> |sink rate ms= |sink rate ftmin= |sink rate note=<!-- at {{convert|XX|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}} --> |lift to drag= |wing loading kg/m2= |wing loading lb/sqft= |wing loading note= |more performance= }}
<!-- ==See also== --> {{aircontent <!-- include as many lines are appropriate. additional lines/entries with carriage return. --> |see also= |related=<!-- related developments --> |similar aircraft=<!-- similar or comparable aircraft --> |lists= }}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{Official website|http://www.aeros.com.ua/structure/hg/discus_en.php}} {{Aeros aircraft}}
Category:Hang gliders Discus