Aeros Target

Ukrainian hang glider

Target
Role	Hang glider Type of aircraft
National origin	Ukraine
Manufacturer	Aeros
Introduction	1995
Status	Target 21 Tandem in production

The Aeros Target is a family of Ukrainian high-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]

Specifications (2003 model Target 132)

Data from Bertrand^[1]

General characteristics

Crew: one
Wingspan: 8.65 m (28 ft 5 in)
Wing area: 13.4 m² (144 sq ft)
Aspect ratio: 5.6:1

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 41. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Aeros (2008). "Chronicles of AEROS Company". Retrieved 3 February 2012.
^ ^a ^b Aeros (2005). "New Target 21 Tandem". Retrieved 3 February 2012.
^ Aeros (2005). "FOX – modern hang glider for beginners". Retrieved 3 February 2012.