AmeriPlanes Mitchell Wing A-10
AmeriPlanes / Mitchell Wing Inc. · United States · first flew 1977 · glider
The Mitchell Wing A-10 is an American ultralight foot-launched rigid-wing hang glider designed by Don Mitchell, offering superior soaring performance through its tailless swept-wing layout.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × none, embedded-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 4.9 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | No tailplane |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Swept flying wing hang glider with no conventional tail
- Rigid Dacron-covered wing with pronounced reflexed trailing edge
- Pilot hangs in prone or seated harness beneath the wing
Pure flying wing with no fuselage or tail; the deeply swept wing with reflex at the tips distinguishes it immediately from Rogallo flexible wings. The aluminium leading edge tube is prominent and the Dacron sail is kept taut by internal battens.
Specifications
- The AmeriPlanes Mitchell Wing A-10 has a length of 4.9 m (16 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.2 m (33 ft).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Don Mitchell developed the Mitchell Wing in the mid-1970s as a high-performance alternative to flexible Rogallo hang gliders. The A-10 used a rigid aluminium and Dacron wing with a reflexed trailing edge for stability without a tail. AmeriPlanes subsequently marketed the design as a kit. It gained a devoted following among advanced hang glider pilots for its glide ratio and handling, though it demanded more skill than simpler flexible-wing designs.
Variants
B-10 motorised ultralight variant with a pusher engine mounted above the wing; A-10 unpowered soaring version.
Where you'll see it
Sold in kit form to private builders; popular in US ultralight and hang gliding communities through the late 1970s and 1980s. The B-10 powered variant introduced some pilots to ultralight aircraft.
Related aircraft
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