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High over Cape Town, South Africa. Photo by Adam West.
 
Wills Wing U2

The U2 Ultra Performance Intermediate Hang Glider

The U2 is a very high performance glider with handling characteristics suitable for pilots with intermediate and higher levels of skills and experience. The U2 is available in two sizes - 160 and 145.

Sidling up to Yosemite falls, California. Photo by Greg Billow.


The U2 was conceived as a very light-weight glider with performance approaching that of the much heavier, more expensive, and more challenging competition class wings. There are no reflex bridles - all stability systems are internal - so cable drag is minimized. Beginning with the 2009 model year, all lower cables are 3/32 1x19 un-coated, for additional drag reduction. Standard on the U2 is the new Litestream control bar, a Slipstream style, fully streamlined bar that uses the same streamlined aluminum basetube as the Slipstream bar, but with shorter chord, easier to grip, lighter weight Litestream downtubes. Specially machined, fully streamlined aluminum corner fittings complete the Litestream package, which offers a more than 95% reduction in drag as compared to a regular AT-style streamlined control bar with a round basetube. The U2 features a curved tip planform and sports an exceptionally clean sail with a Mylar or 205MT leading edge and 205MT trailing edge offered as standard equipment, or an available upgrade to either Hydranet of UVM sailcloth. An extended bottom surface in the root cleanly fairs in the hang loop. For the 2009 model year, the U2 features an upgraded and improved sail cut that results in improved performance and even better handling characteristics. An upgrade to an all Mylar top surface is also an available option for 2009.

Ryan Voight speeds across The Point, Utah. Photo by Desiree Rhinesmith.


In the air, at the looser VG settings, the U2 offers, light, quick response coupled with forgiving handling characteristics. With the VG on, the gliding range at speed expands dramatically, and the glider tracks straight and true. The U2 uses a weight- and cost-saving conventional VG system. The result is an exceptional performance package that is extraordinarily accessible. The landing characteristics are very straightforward; handling is damped and predictable on approach, the flare window is broad and flare authority is ample.

The South African coast stretches out below. Photo by Adam West.


New Litestream Compatible Round Speedbar Basetube
We are now offering the option of a round speedbar basetube on the U2. This option is to address the requests of pilots who prefer the grip of a round basetube for comfort reasons, and pilots who want to be able to mount larger diameter wheels on a Litestream control bar. The photo shows the Litestream round speedbar mounted to a Sport 2, with Hall Wheels (not included) installed. We also have available VG compatible hubs for the larger 8 inch diameter Finsterwalder pneumatic wheels that allow them to be mounted on the Litestream round speedbar.

Hall Wheel on New Litestream Compatible Round Speedbar Basetube
Hall Wheel on New Litestream Compatible Round Speedbar Basetube

Pilots should expect approximately 1/2 point in degradation of L/D by going to the round basetube over the streamlined basetube. The Litestream compatible round speedbar is a no extra cost option when requested on any new glider order.



Pushing through the control frame on launch, Utah. Photo by Bruce Hibbard.


 
 
Latest U2 news:
08/10/09: Flying the Wills Wing U2 160 - Easy for a lightweight
06/27/09: Ralph Herten Wins 2009 Lumby Air Races on Wills Wing U2
02/13/09: Wills Wing Economic Stimulus Package!
 
Pilot Comment:
Wally Anderson - Bay Area HG Dealer
8/22/2003
The last U2 [shipped] flies even better & has a cleaner sail, hard to believe but amazing!!!!

Thanks,
Wally Anderson



More Comments:
Warren Puckett - Very Impressed
Jonathan Dietch - Extensive Report of U2 160 Demo ...
Davis Straub - Flying the Wills Wing U2 160 - Easy ...
Craig A. Hewitt - What a Beautiful Wing You've Made
Matt Barker - Selling my Ducati for a U2 160!
Click here to see the entire list of comments.

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Specifications:

Imperial Units:          Change to Metric Units
Specification  U2 145   U2 160 
Area (ft^2) 145 160
Span (ft) 31.3 33.1
Aspect Ratio 6.8
Glider Weight (lbs) 63 68
Hook-In Weight (lbs) 140-220 160-260
Optimum Body Weight (lbs) 140-170 170-210
Nose Angle (deg) 125-128
Double Surface (%) 84
USHPA Rating 3
Vne (mph) 53
Va (mph) 46
Vms (mph) 20
Length (in bag) (in) 192 204
Break-down (in) 141 153
HGMA Cert. 11/12/2003 3/20/2003
Sugg. Retail $4875.00

Key to Specifications

Note: Retail prices listed are Wills Wing's suggested retail prices not including packaging for shipment from the factory, freight costs to the destination, import and local taxes, and dealer preparation and delivery charges.  For safety reasons, any products shown that require any particular expertise to install or use safely must be purchased through an authorized Wills Wing Dealer.


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Features:
Easy to Fly, Ultra-High Performance, Intermediate Design
Easy to Pull, Effective VG System
Litestream Performance Control Bar
Internal Four-Sprog Stability System
Composite Transverse Battens
Machined Aerodynamic Corner Fittings
New Button Spring Lock - Tang Attachments
Very lightweight - all 7075 airframe
205 MT Square trailing edge fabric
7075 - T6 Pre-formed Battens
New Lever Type Rear Batten Tips
Bottom Surface Battens & Internal Shear Ribs Control Sail Shape
PX15 Mylar or 205MT Dacron Leading Edge
Extended Bottom Surface at Root Fairs in the Hang Loop
Sail Fit and Finish Comparable to a Talon
Two Color Bottom Surface
Kingpost Hang Pilot Suspension
Integral Low drag Back-up Hang Loop
Curved Tip Planform
Medium Weight, XC–Type Glider Bag, Control Bar Bag, Batten and Tip Bags, and Velcro Sail Ties
Spare Parts Kit, Team Hat, Bumper sticker
Comprehensive Owner / Service Manual and Batten Diagram

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Options:
Custom Sail Patterns - Quoted on Request    
205MT Leading Edge - No Charge    
Color in #3 or #4 panel (per panel, plus Custom Choice of Colors charge) 01A-A6  $75.00
UVM10T Upgrade - P1 only 01A-A31  $75.00
Hydranet Leading Edge 01A-A3  $75.00
Hydranet Trailing Edge 01A-A3  $75.00
Slipstream/Litestream Control Bar Wheel Kit 70M-1240  $140.00
Custom Choice of Colors 01A-A1  $150.00
PX All Mylar Top Surface 01A-A5  $150.00
UVM10T Upgrade - Complete Top Surface 01A-A51  $300.00
Carbon Speedbar Upgrade (Any New Sport 2, U2, or T2) 01A-B3  $420.00
Carbon Speedbar Litestream 65/68 (Sport 2 155, 175; U2 145, 160; Litestream equipped Talon, T2 or Falcon 3 195) 40F-1414  $780.00

Some options may be incompatible with others. See your Wills Wing dealer for details.

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Wills Wing Inc • 500 West Blueridge Ave • Orange, CA • 92865