Moyes Malibu

Design and development

The Malibu was designed as a beginner and intermediate hang glider, but is often used as a dune soaring machine, due to its low stall speed and maneuverability. It is made from aluminum tubing, with its single-surface wing covered in Dacron sailcloth.

The Malibu² version replaced the original Malibu in production. It incorporates many improvements to the original design, including a reinforced trailing edge, an improved sail cut to improve stall, roll, pitch, long with its performance characteristics and a ball bearing-mounted wing tip to enhance the flexing of the tip.

Variants

Malibu 190

Original model built in the mid-2000s. Its 10.1 m (33.1 ft) span wing is cable braced from a single kingpost. The nose angle is 118°, wing area is 17.7 m² (191 sq ft) and the aspect ratio is 5.7:1. Pilot hook-in weight range is 68 to 110 kg (150 to 243 lb).

Malibu² 166

Improved model in production in 2016. Its 9.2 m (30.2 ft) span wing is cable braced from a single kingpost. The nose angle is 120.5°, wing area is 15.4 m² (166 sq ft) and the aspect ratio is 5.5:1. Empty weight is 23 kg (51 lb). Pilot hook-in weight range is 60 to 110 kg (132 to 243 lb).

Malibu² 188

Improved model in production in 2016. Its 10.1 m (33.1 ft) span wing is cable braced from a single kingpost. The nose angle is 120.5°, wing area is 17.5 m² (188 sq ft) and the aspect ratio is 5.8:1. Empty weight is 26 kg (57 lb). Pilot hook-in weight range is 80 to 126 kg (176 to 278 lb).

Specifications (Malibu2 188)

Data from Manufacturer

General characteristics

Crew: one

Wingspan: 10.1 m (33 ft 2 in)

Wing area: 17.5 m² (188 sq ft)

Aspect ratio: 5.8:1

Empty weight: 26 kg (57 lb)

Performance

Maximum speed: 65 km/h (40 mph; 35 kn)

Cruising speed: 32 km/h (20 mph; 17 kn)

Stall speed: 22 km/h (14 mph; 12 kn)

Never exceed speed: 74 km/h (46 mph; 40 kn)

Maximum glide ratio: 9.5:1 at 38 km/h (24 mph)

Wing loading: 8.7 kg/m² (1.8 lb/sq ft)