Aerodyne Blaster

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.[1]

Blaster
Role Paraglider
National origin France
Manufacturer Aerodyne Technologies
Designer Michel Le Blanc
Status Production completed
Unit cost
€3,051 (Blaster L, 2004)

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.[1][2]

The design was certified by the French FFVl in 2003 as a competition glider.[3][4]

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.[5]

In the 2003 IPC held in Chopok, Slovakia, Aleksander Talbierz competed for Poland, coming in 52nd out of a field of 53 competitors.[6]

Yoshiyuki Sato competed on a Blaster in the 2004 Pan Pacific Open in Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan and also in the Japanese Spring Cup.[7][8]

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.[9]

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.[10][11][12]

Blasters were flown by nine pilots in 22 Paragliding World Cup competition races, between September 2002 and July 2007.[13]

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.[1]
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.[1]
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.[1]

Specifications (Blaster M)

Data from Bertrand[1]

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)
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References
  1. Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 10. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
  2. "Aerodyne Blaster". All Aero. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  3. FFVL (22 August 2003). "Voiles 2003". federation.ffvl.fr. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  4. FFVL (22 August 2003). "Voiles 2003". federation.ffvl.fr. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  5. "Task One Results". Paragliding center of Southeast Queensland. 11 October 2003. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  6. "IPC Cup 2003 - Chopok". skyfly.cz. 2003. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  7. "2004 Pan Pacific Open in Tsukuba" (PDF). jpa-pg.jp. 17 October 2004. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  8. "Spring Cup COO Task1" (PDF). jpa-pg.jp. 18 April 2004. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  9. "pre PWC Sopot2004" (PDF). skynomad.com. 21 August 2004. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  10. "2008 Yoshinogawa Cup Task 1" (PDF). asian-champ.hangpara.jp. 3 May 2008. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  11. "2008 Yoshinogawa Cup Task 2" (PDF). asian-champ.hangpara.jp. 3 May 2008. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  12. "2008 Yoshinogawa Cup". asian-champ.hangpara.jp. 6 May 2008. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  13. "Gliders from this manufacturer in results database". Paragliding World Cup. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
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