A-I-R Atos

The A-I-R Atos is a German high-wing, single-place, rigid wing hang glider designed by Felix Ruehle and produced by A-I-R GmbH of Halblech.

Design and development
The Atos was originally designed as a competition rigid wing hang glider in 1998, with production commencing the following year. Since then the design has undergone almost continuous refinement and a succession of model numbers. It remained in production in 2012.

The aircraft structure is made from carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer. The wing uses minimal cable bracing and incorporates both flaps and spoilers for roll control. The aspect ratio for most models is in the range of 11:1 or 12:1. Achieved glide ratios run as high as 20:1. Later models incorporate a horizontal tailplane for improved stability.

The Atos gliders are designed for folding for ground transportation. The largest model, the Atos VX, for example, can be folded into 5.80 x 0.48 x 0.20m (19.0 x 1.57 x 0.66 feet) in 18 minutes and weighs 47.5 kg.

Later model Atos are compatible with the Swedish Aerosport Mosquito power pack.

The wing was also later developed into an ultralight trike, the Ultralight Design Atos Trike. It can also be fitted to the Veleria Dedalo Strike-T trike.

Operational history
The Atos series have been flown in the rigid wing class in World Hang Gliding Championships since 1999 and have won titles on many occasions.

Variants

 * Atos C 135
 * Model c. 2003 with a wingspan of 11.4 m, wing area of 11.6 m2 and aspect ratio of 11.3:1. DHV certification.


 * Atos C 160
 * Model c. 2003 with a wingspan of 12.82 m, wing area of 13.6 m2 and aspect ratio of 12.1:1. DHV certification.


 * Atos C Classique 135
 * Model c. 2003 with a wingspan of 11.4 m, wing area of 11.6 m2 and aspect ratio of 11.3:1. DHV certification.


 * Atos C Classique 160
 * Model c. 2003 with a wingspan of 12.82 m, wing area of 13.6 m2 and aspect ratio of 12.1:1. DHV certification.


 * Atos C+ 135
 * Model c. 2003 with a wingspan of 11.4 m, wing area of 11.6 m2 and aspect ratio of 11.3:1. DHV certification.


 * Atos C+ 160
 * Model c. 2003 with a wingspan of 12.82 m, wing area of 13.6 m2 and aspect ratio of 12.1:1. DHV certification.


 * Atos VS
 * Model c. 2012 with a wingspan of 11.4 m, wing area of 11.8 m2, aspect ratio of 11.8:1 and glide ratio of 19:1. DHV certification.


 * Atos V
 * Model c. 2012 with a wingspan of 12.8 m, wing area of 14.1 m2, aspect ratio of 12.1:1 and glide ratio of 19:1. DHV certification.


 * Atos VQ
 * Model c. 2012 with a wingspan of 13.4 m, wing area of 14.2 m2 and aspect ratio of 13.5:1. DHV certification.


 * Atos VR/VR10
 * Model c. 2012 with a wingspan of 13.8 m, wing area of 14.7 m2 and aspect ratio of 13.3:1. DHV certification.


 * Atos VX
 * Model c. 2012 with a wingspan of 14.0 m, wing area of 16.0 m2, aspect ratio of 12.6:1 and glide ratio of 20:1. The VX is certified under DHV for two-place operations.