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Independence Raptor

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The Independence Raptor is a German single-place, paraglider that was designed by Michaël Nesler and produced by Independence Paragliding of Eisenberg, Thuringia. It is now out of production.

Contents

The aircraft is not related to the Skif Raptor.

Design and development

The Raptor was designed as a competition glider, with an unusually low price as a method of assisting completion pilots. The models are each named for their relative size.

Company test pilot Christian Amon was also involved in the development as well as flight testing of the Raptor.

Variants

Raptor S
Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 12.7 m (41.7 ft) span wing has a wing area of 25.0 m2 (269 sq ft), 75 cells and the aspect ratio is 6.34:1. The pilot weight range is 70 to 95 kg (154 to 209 lb).
Raptor M
Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its 13.49 m (44.3 ft) span wing has a wing area of 28.3 m2 (305 sq ft), 75 cells and the aspect ratio is 6.34:1. The pilot weight range is 80 to 105 kg (176 to 231 lb).
Raptor L
Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 13.8 m (45.3 ft) span wing has a wing area of 30.0 m2 (323 sq ft), 75 cells and the aspect ratio is 6.34:1. The pilot weight range is 100 to 125 kg (220 to 276 lb).

Specifications (Raptor L)

Data from Bertrand

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Wingspan: 13.8 m (45 ft 3 in)
  • Wing area: 30.0 m2 (323 sq ft)
  • Aspect ratio: 6.34:1

    • References

    Independence Raptor Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA