Solar Wings Scandal

The Solar Wings Scandal is a family of British high-wing, single-place, hang gliders that was designed and produced by Solar Wings of Manton, Wiltshire. Introduced in 1995 it is now out of production. When it was available the aircraft was supplied complete and ready-to-fly.[1][2]

Scandal
Role	Hang glider
National origin	United Kingdom
Manufacturer	Solar Wings
Status	Production completed
Unit cost	£3,400 (Scandal XK-R, 2004)

Design and development

The Scandal series was designed as a high performance competition glider. It is made from aluminum and carbon fibre tubing, with the double-surface wing covered in Dacron sailcloth. Some models have a kingpost and top rigging, while others, notably the XK and XK-R, are topless.[1]

The models are each named for their wing area in square metres.[1]

Variants

Scandal 12.4

Small-sized model for lighter pilots, introduced in 1995. Its 9.4 m (30.8 ft) span wing is cable braced from a single kingpost. The nose angle is 127°, wing area is 12.4 m² (133 sq ft) and the aspect ratio is 7.1:1. The pilot hook-in weight range is 48 to 68 kg (106 to 150 lb).[3]

Scandal 13.6

Mid-sized model for middle weight pilots, introduced in 1995. Its 9.9 m (32.5 ft) span wing is cable braced from a single kingpost. The nose angle is 127°, wing area is 13.6 m² (146 sq ft) and the aspect ratio is 7.3:1. The pilot hook-in weight range is 58 to 78 kg (128 to 172 lb).[3]

Scandal 14.4

Large-sized model for heavier pilots, introduced in 1995. Its 10.35 m (34.0 ft) span wing is cable braced from a single kingpost. The nose angle is 127°, wing area is 14.4 m² (155 sq ft) and the aspect ratio is 7.44:1. The pilot hook-in weight range is 72 to 92 kg (159 to 203 lb).[3]

Scandal S 12.4

Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 9.4 m (30.8 ft) span wing is cable braced from a single kingpost. The nose angle is 131°, wing area is 12.4 m² (133 sq ft) and the aspect ratio is 7.1:1. The pilot hook-in weight range is 48 to 68 kg (106 to 150 lb). The glider model is BHPA certified.[1]

Scandal S 13.6

Mid-sized model for middle weight pilots. Its 9.9 m (32.5 ft) span wing is cable braced from a single kingpost. The nose angle is 131°, wing area is 13.6 m² (146 sq ft) and the aspect ratio is 7.3:1. The pilot hook-in weight range is 58 to 78 kg (128 to 172 lb). The glider model is BHPA certified.[1]

Scandal S 14.4

Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 10.35 m (34.0 ft) span wing is cable braced from a single kingpost. The nose angle is 131°, wing area is 14.4 m² (155 sq ft) and the aspect ratio is 7.44:1. The pilot hook-in weight range is 72 to 92 kg (159 to 203 lb). The glider model is BHPA certified.[1]

Scandal XK

Model introduced in 1997. Its 13.2 m² (142 sq ft) area wing is topless.[4]

Scandal XK-R 13.6

Mid-sized model for middle pilots introduced in 2000. Its 9.9 m (32.5 ft) span wing is topless. The nose angle is 131°, wing area is 13.6 m² (146 sq ft) and the aspect ratio is 7.3:1. The pilot hook-in weight range is 58 to 78 kg (128 to 172 lb). The glider model is BHPA certified.[1][2]

Scandal XK-R 14.4

Large-sized model for heavier pilots introduced in 2000. Its 10.35 m (34.0 ft) span wing is topless. The nose angle is 131°, wing area is 14.4 m² (155 sq ft) and the aspect ratio is 7.44:1. The pilot hook-in weight range is 72 to 92 kg (159 to 203 lb). The glider model is BHPA certified.[1][2]

Specifications (Scandal XK-R 14.4)

Data from Bertrand[1]

General characteristics

• Crew: one
• Wingspan: 10.35 m (33 ft 11 in)
• Wing area: 14.4 m² (155 sq ft)
• Aspect ratio: 7.44:1

References

1. Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 48. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
2. "SOLAR WINGS (Hang glider manufacturer)". delta-club-82.com. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
3. "Hang glider : SCANDAL (Solar Wings)". delta-club-82.com. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
4. "Hang glider : SCANDAL XK (Solar Wings)". delta-club-82.com. Retrieved 3 March 2016.