New Competition Class Glider
Many of you have heard rumors by now that we have a curved tip competition class glider under development. It’s true, we’ve been working on a new glider since October. It is not a modified Fusion. It has curved tips, and it’s intended to be a world class competition glider. Why curved tips on a Wills Wing after all these years? Very simply, because there is a significant percentage of pilots that, for whatever reason, want that configuration. Are curved tips better? We’re not sure. We’ve seen no evidence that by themselves they offer any performance advantage. There seem to be some general differences in qualitative handling characteristics, though that area is largely a matter of personal pilot preference. You are probably aware that Paris Williams joined the Wills Wing competition team last season. This fall and winter, while not flying competitions, Paris has been here at Wills Wing working with designer Steve Pearson to fast track the new glider. Steve has designed nine new prototypes in four months. Paris took an earlier prototype to Australia and was most recently in Mexico with prototype number eight, flying against Manfred Ruhmer and the other top Austrian pilots. His experience there indicates that the performance gap between Manfred’s personal glider and our latest prototype is closing rapidly. It is still too early to project a release date or provide final configuration details, but here is what we can tell you so far… as compared to the Fusion SP: The most obvious difference is the curved tip, made with a composite carbon/fiberglass wand. The span is a bit bigger than the 150, and the area is about 148. It has a significantly longer front leading edge and crossbar. The airfoil is significantly different, and the glider has two additional top surface ribs, and a single nose rib. The VG is a new cam system with a much larger range, so it goes both looser and significantly tighter. The glider has two sprogs and two transverse battens per wing. We expect to offer it with the new Slipstream control bar, complete with the competition carbon base tube, 3/32 cables, and a Mylar sail. The keel stinger can be used as a glider stand. Overall pack length for the glider is about two feet shorter than a Fusion 150. Retail price, fully equipped for competition level performance, is projected at around $5900. What’s it called? We don’t know! Got ideas? Send ’em in.
Eagle 145 and Eagle 180 Released
We flew the first production Eagle 145 and Eagle 180 last week and they flew great! We’re releasing both gliders and taking orders effective immediately. All vehicle tests for certification have been completed, and we’ll be finishing up the rest of the documentation for the certification packages over the next few weeks. The Eagle is now available in three sizes, spanning pilot hook in weights from 125 lbs to 275 lbs. We will have demos of all three sizes at Wallaby March 14th -18th, and we expect to ship the first customer gliders in the 145 and 180 size shortly thereafter. See the specifications below:
| Eagle | 145 | 164 | 180 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area | 145 sq ft | 164 sq ft | 180 sq ft |
| Span | 30' | 32' | 33'3" |
| Aspect Ratio | 6.2 | 6.2 | 6.1 |
| Glider Weight | 54.5 lbs | 58.5 lbs | 61.5 lbs |
| Pilot Weight Range (lbs. hook in) | 125 – 200 | 150 – 250 | 175 – 275 |
| Optimum Pilot Weight(lbs. body weight) | 125 – 150 | 150 – 175 | 175 – 225 |
| Pilot Skill/Experience | USHGA Novice & Instructor Recommendation | ||
| Base Retail Price | $3475 | ||
| HGMA Certified | Pending | 6 Nov 2000 | Pending |
Eagle Standard Features
- Quick Mount Vertical Stabilizer
- 7075 – T6 Leading Edges & Keel
- Double Surface Sail / Enclosed Crossbar
- Full Leading Edge Mylar Pocket and Mylar Insert
- Nosecone
- Pre-formed 7075 – T6 Battens
- Speedbar Basetube
- Streamlined Kingpost
- Kingpost Hang System
- Rapid Set – Up
- Deluxe Glider Bag, Control Bar Bag and Batten Bag
- Velcro Sail Ties
- Delivery Kit with Owner’s Manual, Batten Diagram, Hat, Bumper Sticker, And Spare Parts Kit
Eagle Options and Retail Option Prices
- Streamline Downtubes Upgrade-$35.00
- Folding Speedbar Upgrade-$85.00
- Hall Wheel Kit-$89.50
- Finster Wheel Kit-$129.50
- Custom Choice Of Colors-$300 .00
- Custom Sail Patterns-Quoted on request
About The Eagle
The Eagle has proven to be extremely well-liked by the pilots who have purchased them. It is the perfect move-up glider for Falcon pilots, and provides a greatly expanded performance envelope at higher flying speeds. At the same time, the Eagle has remarkable sink rate and climb performance, slows down exceptionally well, carries a broad range of pilot weights with excellent efficiency, and is very comfortable and confidence inspiring in turbulent air.
Spring Inventory Clearance Sale
With new models coming on line, we need to clear out some of the inventory build up from winter production. We are offering a short list of specially priced inventory gliders. These gliders are being offered at extremely low prices, and they’ll sell fast. They are available for immediate or very quick delivery. At these prices, we will require pre-payment in full. Some of the gliders are new and some are used. We will do our best to give you an accurate description of the condition of any used glider we sell . All gliders come with a satisfaction guarantee.
| Model | Discount Price | Comments | Glider # | P1 | P4 | P5 | P6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FALCON 170 | $2695 | $420 Discount Some Extra Stitching Holes on Sail Body | 26977 | 7352 DPBLU | WHITE | 3958 MAGNT | – |
| ULTRA 135 | $3475 | $500 Discount | 34326 | 551 PRO YEL | WHITE | 5280 BRYEL | 4197 BRORG |
| EAGLE 164 | $3175 | $300 Discount | 38066 | 3958 MAGNT | WHITE | WHITE | 7924 LILAC |
| Model | Discount Price | Comments | Glider # | P1 | P4 | P5 or Assym Small | Inlay | P6 or Assym Large | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FUSION 141 | $3995 | $1200 Discount! | Very Good Condition | 36338 | PX10T WHT | 240 HTP | 7352 DPBLU | – | 3958 MAGNT |
| FUSION 150 | $4375 | $800 Discount! | 36481 | PX10T WHT | 240 HTP | 7352 DPBLU | WHITE "WW" | 3105 BRRED | |
| FUSION 150 | $4475 | $1000 Discount! Spring battens | mylar sail | 36543 | PX10T WHT | PX10T WHT | 7352 DPBLU | WHITE "WW" | 3958 MAGNT |
Fusion 141 SP and Eagle 164 HGMA Certified
The Fusion 141 SP and Eagle 164 were HGMA Certified on November 6th, 2000.
Wallaby Again!
Wills Wing’s twenty-eighth Anniversary at Wallaby Ranch will be held March 14th – 18th. This will be the fourth year we’ll celebrate our company’s anniversary at Wallaby. Company officers Mike Meier, Steve Pearson, Linda Meier and Rob Kells, along with webmaster and test pilot Ken Howells will be there to assist the Wallaby staff in making your stay as safe, enjoyable, informative, and downright FUN as possible. We’ll have all the production glider models and sizes for you to fly, along with the debut (we hope) of our new competition curved tip glider. Tradition dictates a big party on St Patrick’s Day, Saturday night the 17th, complete with dinner, a band, some beer, and a bonfire. Like all the previous years, we expect pilots and dealers from around the world to attend. Demo gliders will be available for sale at the end of the week at very low prices! Airline tickets are available from anywhere in the States for as little as $200, and $ 45 hotels are only three miles away. What’s your excuse? Come dust off the winter rust and fly with us in sunny Florida!! Everyone is welcome, and we hope to see you there! If you have questions give ’em a call at 1-800-Wallaby, or visit www.wallaby.com .
Hotel Information
Holiday Inn Express – (863) 424-2120
Super 8 – (877) 233-9888
When making reservations be sure to ask for the Wills Wing / Wallaby rate.
Wills Wing Distributes Rotor Harness
Brazilian team pilot Nene Rotor has been perfecting a clean prone harness for a number of years. We have entered into an agreement to distribute his top of the line ‘KICK ASS’ model through Wills Wing dealers worldwide. We think Nene’s newest creation has raised the bar on competition streamlining and comfort once again. One of the problems we have always objected to with single suspension harness designs is the feel of balancing on a ball in pitch while flying. The Kick Ass has an innovative new system that allows you to lock in the desired pitch angle. You simply bend at the waist to bump a lever above your butt, change your flying angle, resume normal prone position, and the harness locks positively at the new angle. It works really well. We will be working with Carlos Bessa and Wallaby Ranch on the Rotor harness distribution and service. Introductory retail price is $995 Look for more details and ordering information on our web site soon.
Inventory Gliders On The Web
Check the web at www.www.willswing.com for gliders in stock ready to go!
Sign up for WW E-News
We are currently building an e-mailing list for those interested in our paragliders, hang gliders, harnesses, and other related products. We’ll send you information about our new products, changes to current products, safety news, notices, and other useful information. If you would like to be included in our e-mailing list visit our web site at www.www.willswing.com and click on “sign up for WW E-News”. If you choose to join our list, be assured that we will not share your e-mail address, or any other personal information with any other businesses or individuals.
Where’s My Closest Dealer?
To find the dealer nearest you, please go to www.www.willswing.com, click on ”Learn To Fly!” then click on the map where you live. A list of dealers in your region will appear.
Contact Us
If you have questions we might help you with please feel free to contact us in any of the following ways:
On the Web – www.www.willswing.com
By E-mail – Comments@www.willswing.com
By Phone – (714) 998 – 6359
By Fax – (714) 998 – 0647
By Mail – 500 West Blueridge, Orange CA 92865-4206
That’s it for now, thank you for your interest in Wills Wing!
We welcome your suggestions.
Please Fly Safely!
The Wills Wing Crew