Astral
Role Paraglider
National origin Germany
Manufacturer Swing Flugsportgeräte
Status Production completed
Produced 1990s - mid 2000s

The Astral is a German single-place paraglider that was designed and produced by Swing Flugsportgeräte of Landsberied. It is now out of production.[1]

Design and development

The Astral was designed as an intermediate glider. A two-seat tandem version was also developed for flight training, the Astral Twin.[1]

The design has progressed through seven generations of models, each improving on the last. The models are each named for their approximate projected wing area in square metres.[1]

Operational history

Reviewer Noel Bertrand described the Astral in a 2003 review as "a very good DHV 2 [glider]".[1]

Variants

Astral 2

Astral 2 24
Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 11.8 m (38.7 ft) span wing has a wing area of 26.3 m2 (283 sq ft), 58 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.3:1. The take-off weight range is 70 to 90 kg (154 to 198 lb). The glider model is Deutscher Hängegleiterverband e.V. (DHV) 2 GH certified.[2]
Astral 2 26
Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its 12.3 m (40.4 ft) span wing has a wing area of 28.7 m2 (309 sq ft), 58 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.3:1. The take-off weight range is 80 to 105 kg (176 to 231 lb). The glider model is DHV 2 GH certified.[1]
Astral 2 28
Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 13.1 m (43.0 ft) span wing has a wing area of 31.1 m2 (335 sq ft), 58 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.3:1. The take-off weight range is 100 to 125 kg (220 to 276 lb). The glider model is DHV 2 GH certified.[1]

Astral 3

Astral 3 22
Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 11.6 m (38.1 ft) span wing has a wing area of 26 m2 (280 sq ft), 66 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.5:1. The pilot weight range is 60 to 80 kg (132 to 176 lb). The glider model is DHV 2-3 certified.[1]
Astral 3 24
Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its 12.0 m (39.4 ft) span wing has a wing area of 27 m2 (290 sq ft), 66 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.5:1. The pilot weight range is 65 to 90 kg (143 to 198 lb). The glider model is DHV 2 certified.[1]
Astral 3 26
Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 12.5 m (41.0 ft) span wing has a wing area of 28.5 m2 (307 sq ft), 66 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.5:1. The pilot weight range is 85 to 105 kg (187 to 231 lb). The glider model is DHV 2 certified.[1]
Astral 3 28
Extra large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 13.2 m (43.3 ft) span wing has a wing area of 30.5 m2 (328 sq ft), 66 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.5:1. The pilot weight range is 100 to 130 kg (220 to 287 lb). The glider model is DHV 2 certified.[1]

Astral 4

Astral 4 22
Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 12 m (39.4 ft) span wing has a wing area of 26 m2 (280 sq ft), 57 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.55:1. The take-off weight range is 55 to 80 kg (121 to 176 lb). The glider model is DHV LTF 2 certified.[3]
Astral 4 24
Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its 12.5 m (41.0 ft) span wing has a wing area of 27 m2 (290 sq ft), 57 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.55:1. The take-off weight range is 70 to 95 kg (154 to 209 lb). The glider model is DHV LTF 2 certified.[3]
Astral 4 26
Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 12.55 m (41.2 ft) span wing has a wing area of 28.4 m2 (306 sq ft), 57 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.55:1. The take-off weight range is 85 to 110 kg (187 to 243 lb). The glider model is DHV LTF 2 certified.[3]
Astral 4 28
Extra large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 12.85 m (42.2 ft) span wing has a wing area of 29.8 m2 (321 sq ft), 57 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.55:1. The take-off weight range is 100 to 125 kg (220 to 276 lb). The glider model is DHV LTF 2 certified.[3]

Astral 5

Astral 5 22
Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 12.1 m (39.7 ft) span wing has a wing area of 26 m2 (280 sq ft), 53 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.7:1. The take-off weight range is 55 to 80 kg (121 to 176 lb). The glider model is DHV LTF 2 certified.[4]
Astral 5 24
Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its 12.4 m (40.7 ft) span wing has a wing area of 27 m2 (290 sq ft), 53 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.7:1. The take-off weight range is 70 to 95 kg (154 to 209 lb). The glider model is DHV LTF 2 certified.[4]
Astral 5 26
Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 12.7 m (41.7 ft) span wing has a wing area of 28.5 m2 (307 sq ft), 53 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.7:1. The take-off weight range is 85 to 110 kg (187 to 243 lb). The glider model is DHV LTF 2 certified.[4]
Astral 5 28
Extra large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 13 m (42.7 ft) span wing has a wing area of 30 m2 (320 sq ft), 53 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.7:1. The take-off weight range is 100 to 125 kg (220 to 276 lb). The glider model is DHV LTF 2 certified.[4]

Astral 6

Astral 6 22
Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 12.39 m (40.6 ft) span wing has a wing area of 24 m2 (260 sq ft), 57 cells and the aspect ratio is 6.4:1. The take-off weight range is 60 to 80 kg (132 to 176 lb). The glider model is DHV LTF 2 and CEN C certified.[5]
Astral 6 24
Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its 12.77 m (41.9 ft) span wing has a wing area of 25.5 m2 (274 sq ft), 57 cells and the aspect ratio is 6.4:1. The take-off weight range is 70 to 95 kg (154 to 209 lb). The glider model is DHV LTF 2 and CEN C certified.[5]
Astral 6 26
Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 13.15 m (43.1 ft) span wing has a wing area of 27 m2 (290 sq ft), 57 cells and the aspect ratio is 6.4:1. The take-off weight range is 85 to 110 kg (187 to 243 lb). The glider model is DHV LTF 2 and CEN C certified.[5]
Astral 6 28
Extra large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 13.5 m (44.3 ft) span wing has a wing area of 28.5 m2 (307 sq ft), 57 cells and the aspect ratio is 6.4:1. The take-off weight range is 100 to 130 kg (220 to 287 lb). The glider model is DHV LTF 2 and CEN C certified.[5]

Astral 7

Astral 7 22
Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 12.39 m (40.6 ft) span wing has a wing area of 24 m2 (260 sq ft), 57 cells and the aspect ratio is 6.4:1. The take-off weight range is 70 to 87 kg (154 to 192 lb). The glider model is DHV LTF C and CEN C certified.[6]
Astral 7 24
Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its 12.77 m (41.9 ft) span wing has a wing area of 25.5 m2 (274 sq ft), 57 cells and the aspect ratio is 6.4:1. The take-off weight range is 80 to 102 kg (176 to 225 lb). The glider model is DHV LTF C and CEN C certified.[6]
Astral 7 26
Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 13.14 m (43.1 ft) span wing has a wing area of 27 m2 (290 sq ft), 57 cells and the aspect ratio is 6.4:1. The take-off weight range is 90 to 110 kg (198 to 243 lb). The glider model is DHV LTF C and CEN C certified.[6]
Astral 7 28
Extra large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 13.5 m (44.3 ft) span wing has a wing area of 28.5 m2 (307 sq ft), 57 cells and the aspect ratio is 6.4:1. The take-off weight range is 100 to 125 kg (220 to 276 lb). The glider model is DHV LTF C and CEN C certified.[6]

Specifications (Astral 3 24)

Data from Bertrand[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Wingspan: 12.0 m (39 ft 4 in)
  • Wing area: 27.0 m2 (291 sq ft)
  • Aspect ratio: 5.5:1

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 50 km/h (31 mph, 27 kn)
  • Rate of sink: 1.05 m/s (207 ft/min)

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 32. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
  2. ↑ Swing Flugsportgeräte. "Astral 2". Retrieved 18 November 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Swing Flugsportgeräte. "Astral 4". Retrieved 18 November 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Swing Flugsportgeräte. "Astral 5". Retrieved 18 November 2016.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Swing Flugsportgeräte. "Astral 6". Retrieved 18 November 2016.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Swing Flugsportgeräte. "Astral 7". Retrieved 18 November 2016.
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