Manta

You have been flying for a couple of years now and are growing out of your first wing. You are looking for something definitely better to go hunting for distance. You want to test your skills against other pilots, though perhaps not at World Cup level for a start. You understand what the wing is telling you in the air and know how to use this information, but you don't feel ready for the performance wing yet. You prefer contemplating the beauty of the world rather than experiencing jolts of adrenaline in the heat of competition. You want to stay safe.

After endless work on the Shark airfoil we finally created a performance wing of excellent lift capacity and good safety. Knowledge we gained in the process showed itself to be very productive, and some ideas from Shark Professional have been so successful that we decided to use them in less aggressive wings too: Shark and Manta.

At 5,4 aspect ratio (with 57 cells) Manta performs very well, only about 10% less in comparison with Shark Professional. Manta is certified as an AFNOR Standard wing.

The Manta has a slim, elliptical planform with slightly rearward-swept tips. Its triple cells ensure a smooth top surface, exact airfoil reproduction across the entire wingspan, and yet more importantly, fewer suspension points.

The airfoil of the Manta is relatively thick in shape, offering excellent safety and lift coefficient. The Manta has a greatly-reduced number of lines and thus associated parasitic drag, which, particularly at high speed, now gives an exceptional glide angle.

The precise shape of the leading edge is maintained with internal reinforcements of laminated cloth, which is used to cover areas close to cell openings and trailing edge as well. The cell openings of the Manta are located on the undersurface of the airfoil, close to its leading edge. Dacron flares at the suspension points and between-line reinforcements ensure equal distribution of load throughout the canopy.

Large cross ports provide good air movement inside the wing and its quick inflation. Yet the number of ports has been reduced, so that the profile of the canopy is less affected. There are 4-way risers in Manta (with the A risers split in two) with provision for speed-system installation.

Technical Data

Colours

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