Falcon 4

The Falcon 4 represents twenty years of cumulative refinement of the most popular and successful glider in Wills Wing’s history. Since 1994, the Falcon series of gliders have represented the most accessible, stress-free soaring performance available in hang gliding, and have helped to introduce an entire generation of new pilots to the sport.

What’s New

Updates on the Falcon 4 include a new sail cut and new sail panel layout, improved lateral stability at higher speeds and under aero tow conditions, and the option for the glider to be built with a Litestream Control bar for an extra $300. The Falcon 4 comes standard with an airframe that breaks down to shipping length, but is not short-packable into the 2 meter length. The short-packable airframe is an available option on the Falcon 4 for an extra $250. The 195 size features an extra batten for improved airfoil definition, and, on the standard airframe, a smaller diameter crossbar for reduced drag and improved performance. The Falcon 4 is currently available in the 145, 170 and 195 sizes and the Falcon 4 Tandem at this page

Falcon 4 Performance

Less than ten days after the first production Falcon 3’s left the factory, a demo Falcon 3 170 had been flown 205 miles by Davis Straub for a new single surface cross-country world distance record. The Falcon 4 carries forward the tradition of exceptional effective soaring performance of the Falcon line, by providing an unmatched combination of relaxed and responsive handling with exceptional climb rate and low speed glide. For developing pilots, this is a glider that will allow you to have longer flights more often, and as a result will help you improve your flying skills more rapidly. For experienced pilots, the Falcon 4 will remind you of just how simple and how enjoyable soaring flight can be.

Ready to order? Contact your local Wills Wing dealer!

• Can be short-packed to under 7 feet (2.1 m) for transport with available optional aiframe
• Quick–attach nose cone enhances performance
• Optional Litestream performance control bar can be ordered as an upgrade
• Transverse batten extends washout support provided at wingtips, allowing for reduced number of reflex bridle lines
• All main frame tubes are 7075 – T6 drawn seamless tubing for maximum strength to weight ratio
  • 7075 – T6 Drawn Seamless Keel Tubing
  • 7075 – T6 Drawn Seamless Leading Edge
  • 7075 – T6 Pre-formed Battens
• Improved sail cut yields enhanced aerodynamics
• Handling is light and quick, yet remains comfortable and reassuring
• Lever Rear Batten Tips
• Ball-type Crossbar Center
• Full Leading Edge Mylar Pocket and Mylar Insert
• Streamlined Kingpost
• Rear Crossbar Haulback System
• Deluxe Glider Bag, Control Bar Bag, Batten Bag, and Velcro Sail Ties
• Spare Parts Kit, Team Hat, Bumper sticker
• Comprehensive Owner / Service Manual and Batten Diagram

Ready to order? Contact your local Wills Wing dealer!

Control Bar

The standard control bar on the Falcon 4 features round downtubes and a round, speedbar (comfort bar) basetube. (Note that these control bars are the same as the Falcon 3 control bars, but are different from, and not interchangeable with AT type control bar used on Falcon 1’s and Falcon 2’s – see the article Falcon Control Bars Not Interchangeable for more information.) This control bar configuration will accept either the 5 inch diameter Hall wheels or the 8 inch diameter Finsterwalder wheels, mounted directly on the basetube. As an option, Falcon 4 owners can order their glider built with the Litestream Control bar – equipped with either a streamlined or round speedbar basetube. The Litestream control bar with the streamlined basetube will accept the Wills Wing Streamlined Wheel Kit as an additional option, and with the round basetube, you can use either the Hall or Finsterwalder wheels.

Sail Colors

All panels in the Falcon 4 sail are available for use of colored V170 4 oz. woven sailcloth. Inventory gliders will have factory selected colors on Panel 1 (top surface leading edge) and Panel 5 (bottom surface), and customers can select their own colors for these panels, as well as for panel 4 (trailing edge), without any extra charge for color choice.  In addition, color choices can be selected for Panel 2 (top surface immediately behind Panel 1) and Panel 3 (mid-chord panel) for an additional $75 per (full span) panel.

Sail Materials

All panels in the Falcon sail will be made normally with 4 oz woven sailcloth. 205 MT can be selected for panel 1 (leading edge) and / or panel 4 (trailing edge) for an extra charge (see options table). Finally UVPXB05 can be selected for panels 1, 2, 3 and 4 for an extra charge. All of these options require the customer color choice option charge as well.

Optional Falcon 4 Short Pack Airframe and Deluxe Transport / Storage Container

The Falcon 4 with the optional short-packable airframe can be broken down to a short pack length of seven feet (195), six and a half feet (170), or six feet (145) for transport, shipping or storage. Wills Wing offers an optional protective container, specially designed to provide maximum protection and transport convenience for your Falcon 4. The overall dimensions of the container allow you to check the glider as baggage on most airline flights.

The Deluxe Transport / Storage Container consists of a protective dense foam liner inside of a heavy duty, ballistic cloth zippered bag. The entire glider – sail, airframe, battens and cover bags – fits inside the container. The ballistic outer bag and foam liner provide damage protection for the sail and airframe.

Some options may be incompatible with others. See your Wills Wing dealer for details.

The Falcon 4 is in production in three sizes: 145, 170, and 195. The Falcon 4 Tandem remains the recommended Falcon model for solo pilots who are outside the top of the recommended weight range for the 195. (The Falcon 3 Tandem handles and performs exceptionally well for solo pilots as light as 185 lbs.)

Key to specifications

Ready to order? Contact your local Wills Wing dealer!