The Offpiste Discovery is a series of British high-wing, single or two-place, hang gliders that were designed by Bill Pain and produced by Colin Lark's company Offpiste Aviation Limited (English: Off The Beaten Track) of Dursley, Gloucestershire. Now out of production, when it was available the series of aircraft were supplied complete and ready-to-fly.
Design and development
The Discovery series was designed as a Super Floater glider, for fun, local flying and an emphasis on lightness of weight, ease of rigging and simple handling requirements. It is made from aluminum tubing, with the single-surface wing covered in Dacron sailcloth. All models were British Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association certified.
The series have been frequently used in conjunction with a powered harness, as powered hang gliders.
By the mid-2000s the series had become the best-selling hang gliders in the UK.
Discovery 160
Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 9.14 m (30.0 ft) span wing is cable braced from a single kingpost. The nose angle is 125°, wing area is 14.8 m
2 (159 sq ft) and the aspect ratio is 5.6:1. The pilot hook-in weight range is 55 to 89 kg (121 to 196 lb).
Discovery 195
Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 10.36 m (34.0 ft) span wing is cable braced from a single kingpost. The nose angle is 125°, wing area is 18.1 m
2 (195 sq ft) and the aspect ratio is 5.6:1. The pilot hook-in weight range is 66 to 102 kg (146 to 225 lb).
Discovery 195S
Reinforced 195 model for much heavier pilots. Its 10.36 m (34.0 ft) span wing is cable braced from a single kingpost. The nose angle is 125°, wing area is 18.1 m
2 (195 sq ft) and the aspect ratio is 5.6:1. The pilot hook-in weight range is 85 to 135 kg (187 to 298 lb).
Discovery Bi 210
Model for dual use. Its 10.7 m (35.1 ft) span wing is cable braced from a single kingpost. The nose angle is 125°, wing area is 19.6 m
2 (211 sq ft) and the aspect ratio is 5.6:1. The pilot hook-in weight range is 114 to 178 kg (251 to 392 lb).
Data from Bertrand
General characteristics
Crew: one
Wingspan: 9.14 m (30 ft 0 in)
Wing area: 14.8 m2 (159 sq ft)
Aspect ratio: 5.6:1
