La Mouette Sphinx

The La Mouette Sphinx is a French high-wing, single-place and two-place family of hang gliders, designed and produced by La Mouette of Fontaine-lès-Dijon.[1]

Sphinx
Role Hang glider
National origin France
Manufacturer La Mouette
Status In production

Design and development

The Sphinx is described by the manufacturer as "a beginner glider with a single surface and a floating crossbar".[1][2]

The aircraft is made from aluminum tubing, with the single-surface wing covered in Dacron sailcloth. All models have a nose angle of 120°.[1][2]

Variants
Sphinx
Single-place model for a wide range of pilot weights. Its wing area is 15.10 m2 (162.5 sq ft), wingspan is 9.9 m (32.5 ft) and the aspect ratio is 5.9:1. Empty weight is 27 kg (60 lb) and the pilot hook-in weight range is 50 to 95 kg (110 to 209 lb). The aircraft can be folded to a package 4.10 m (13.45 ft) in length for ground transportation or storage.[1][2]
Sphinx Bi
Large-size model for two-place flight training and familiarization. Its wing area is 20.0 m2 (215 sq ft), wingspan is 10.8 m (35.4 ft) and the aspect ratio is 5.8:1. Empty weight is 34.5 kg (76 lb) and the pilot hook-in weight range is 90 to 190 kg (198 to 419 lb). Swiss SHV certified. The manufacturer describes this model as "one of the most efficient two-seaters on the market, it is conceived to realize cross-country with a passenger."[1][2]

Specifications (Sphinx)

Data from Bertrand and La Mouette[1][2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Wingspan: 9.9 m (32 ft 6 in)
  • Wing area: 15.0 m2 (161 sq ft)
  • Aspect ratio: 5.9:1
  • Empty weight: 27 kg (60 lb)
  • Gross weight: 117 kg (258 lb)

Performance

  • Wing loading: 7.8 kg/m2 (1.6 lb/sq ft)

References
  1. Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 46. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
  2. La Mouette (n.d.). "Sphinx". Archived from the original on 17 November 2011. Retrieved 28 February 2012.
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