INTRODUCING THE ATOS VX
Things are evolving at a rapid pace in the rigid wing hang glider world. Felix Ruhle of A-I-R, designer of the ATOS, has produce his next generation design, the ATOS VX. What a buzz it's generating.
Conceived as a tandem ATOS, competition pilots are quickly discovering its advantages as a solo-pilot aircraft and are setting out for new records on this exciting new wing. World record holder Davis Straub is rumoured to take one to the World Record Encampment at Zapata, Texas in his quest to break the 500 mile barrier, convinced the ATOS VX is the tool for the job.
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So what's this new sink rate monster all about? Like its smaller sibling, the ATOS V, this glider is a refined D-tube, control bar activated spoileron, carbon fiber rigid wing with some pretty amazing numbers. The ATOS V claims a glide ratio of 19:1 and a sink rate of
138 ft/min due to the higher
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aspect ratio and reduced drag from optimized airfoils and lift distribution. The ATOS VX, with an extra four feet of span, adds a point in glide and drops the sink rate to 118 ft/min, with a 220 pound load. That puts an ATOS VX pilot in league with those pesky vultures who soar when everyone else is going down. Competition and cross country pilots are realizing it's that extra low sink rate that turns forced landings into low saves and puts them in the winner's circle.
The ATOS VX uses a double spoileron system to compensate for the extra span, so handling isn't compromised. Handling is also refined by the new "V" tail, standard now on all ATOS models. This full flying empenage adds lift, dampens pitch and yaw, and improves stall characteristics, for an all-around better ride. The VX mounts the V-tail on a new longer, composite keel to enhance the V-tail benefits. |
Also available this year is a carbon composite competition control frame option. Fully faired, and lighter weight, the new frame notches up the ATOS competitive edge.
So what's it like to fly an ATOS? setup is different from a flex wing, but no more
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| difficult with a little practice. Standing on launch, you'll find that it takes far less effort to keep the wing balanced since the spoilerons will activate whenever one side gets lifted. Launching is a breeze – we've found that the wing starts flying pretty darn quick even in light wind conditions. |
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Flying the ATOS is an absolute joy. Although one controls it in the same manner as a flex-wing, it is the deflection of the spoilerons that initiates turns rather than weight shift; essentially, it's like having power steering.Thermalling is made easier thanks to the light roll pressure afforded by the |
spoilerons; getting into a thermal requires less effort than a typical high-performance wing and no high-siding is necessary to stay in.
The sink rate and the glide ratio are nothing short of phenomenal. Be prepared to reach out new distances, leaving others behind.
When it comes time to come back down to earth, you'll appreciate the ATOS's sweet landing characteristics. With flaps full on, and a thirty five mph. approach speed, even a small landing zone can be reasonable. The slower |
stall speed coupled with the glide, makes for an easily discernible flare window. And due to its narrow chord and small control frame, getting a good, crisp flare is no problem even with short arms. Mission Soaring Center is the North America West Distributor for the ATOS rigid wing. We will
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have an ATOS VX and V in stock for demo mid June. We stock a full line of spares for your maintenance needs. Our service department offers full service, both airframe and sail.
Give us a call (408.262.1055) or email mission@hang-gliding.com with your questions and to find out about our demo schedule
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