Alpha Overview
The Alpha 180 uses the same F3-60 size control bar as the Falcon 4 145, and the Alpha 210 uses a new Falcon 3 64 control bar size between that of the Falcon 4 170 and Falcon 4 195.
The Alphas fly very slowly, and are very docile and easy in handling, take-off and landing, and yet they have exceptionally good soaring performance – better in fact in very light lift and small thermals than a Falcon. Unlike the Condor, the Alpha is a fully airworthy, utility class glider, and can be flown in any reasonable flying conditions, and purchased by new students or experienced pilots. The Alpha is a better first purchase glider for most new pilots than a Falcon, and almost as easy for first training flights as a Condor. In some ways the Alphas are easier for students than the Condor, because they are smaller gliders, and therefore easier to ground handle if there is wind. The Alpha’s launching speed is not quite as slow as the Condor 330, but it is noticeably slower than a Falcon.
How capable is the Alpha? Willy Dydo from Fly Away Hang Gliding in Santa Barbara shared this with us, “I sold my 144 so I’ve been racking up a ton of time on the Alpha lately ( : I’ve had some amazing flights on it and have even gotten my best out and return to the West on it. So much fun to fly! It’s been making training for new pilots so much easier too. Thanks again for making such a great glider! ”
The initial response to the Alpha from instructors and new pilots has been extremely enthusiastic.
Alphas are Awesome!
I have been using the Wills Wing Alpha now for more than two years and they are just great. The Alpha is a very light weight, easy to fly and a great all around glider that is very forgiving yet enjoyable to fly, launch and land. I have many hours of personal experience teaching on our training hills, allowing me to compare the Alphas with the Falcons. Integrating the Alphas in our training program at Lookout Mountain Flight Park has been a very positive experience and I am pleased to say that I could not be happier with them. We now have 10 Alphas in our school and I look forward to the day when the Alpha is our only training glider for training hills and first mountain flights. To date, the Alpha has replaced both the Condor and the 145 Falcons.
I find the Alpha 180 works very well for light-weight small-framed individuals and the 210 Alpha works great for anyone up to about 230 pounds. The Alphas are much easier for a new pilot to achieve initial success, progress and are much more forgiving for landing, flying slow or slow launches compared to the Falcon. The Alphas also soar very well and are very easy to thermal. The Wills Wing Alpha is not only the easiest, safest first glider that money can buy but also very rewarding to fly – altogether an exceptional glider!
Training tip for instructors using the 180 Alpha: I have had much better success with the washout tubes installed even during initial training. Without washout tubes, some students have trouble controlling pitch during takeoff. The tendency of the nose to drop a little while running with the glider is almost completely eliminated by using the washout tubes. Instructors would have some difficulty demonstrating a no hands take off without the washout tubes but with the washout tubes it is one of the easiest launching glider ever.
Thank you Wills Wing!
Sincerely,
Matt Taber – Lookout Mountain Flight Park
Features
- 7075-T6 Drawn Seamless Keel Tubing
- 7075-T6 Drawn Seamless Leading Edge
- 7075-T6 Drawn Seamless Crossbar
- 7075-T6 Pre-formed Battens
- Ball-type Crossbar Center
- Full Leading Edge Mylar Pocket and Mylar Insert
- Rear Crossbar Haulback System
- Deluxe Glider Bag, Control Bar Bag, Batten Bag, and Velcro Sail Ties
- Spare Parts Kit, Team Hat, Bumper sticker
- Comprehensive Owner / Service Manual and Batten Diagram
Options
The standard control bar on the Alpha features round downtubes and a round, straight basetube. A round, speedbar basetube is an available upgrade. This control bar configuration will accept either the 5 inch diameter Hall wheels or the 8 inch or 10 inch diameter Finsterwalder wheels, mounted directly on the basetube.
Sail Colors and Material
All panels in the Alpha sail are made with 4 oz woven sailcloth, and are available for use of colored sailcloth. Inventory gliders will have factory selected colors on Panel One (top surface leading edge) and Panel 5 (bottom surface), and customers can select their own colors for these panels, for the normal $150 custom color choice charge. When custom color choice is selected, additional color choices can be selected for Panel 2 (top surface immediately behind Panel 1) and Panel 3 (mid-chord panel), and panel 4 (trailing edge panel) for an additional $75 per (full span) panel.
| Description | Part No | Retail |
|---|---|---|
| Custom Sail Patterns – Quoted on Request | ||
| CUSTOMER COLOR CHOICE | 01A-A1 | $150.00 |
| COLORED #2, #3 OR #4 PANEL | 01A-A6 | $75.00 |
Some options may be incompatible with others. See your Wills Wing dealer for details.
Specifications
| Specification | Alpha 180 | Alpha 210 |
|---|---|---|
| Area (m^2) | 16.7 | 19.5 |
| Span (m) | 8.6 | 9.5 |
| Aspect Ratio | 4.4 | 4.6 |
| Glider Weight (kg) | 20.8 | 23.1 |
| Hook-In Weight (kg) | 54-91 | 68-127 |
| Optimum Body Weight (kg) | 54-68 | 68-100 |
| USHPA Rating | 2 | |
| Vne (kph) | 72 | |
| Va (kph) | 63 | |
| Vms (kph) | 27 | |
| Vd (kph) | 55 | |
| Length (in bag) (m) | 5.46 | 5.79 |
| Break-down (m) | 3.73 | 4.06 |
| HGMA Certified | August 24, 2015 | |
| Sugg. Retail | $3775.00 | |
| Specification | Alpha 180 | Alpha 210 |
|---|---|---|
| Area (ft^2) | 180 | 210 |
| Span (ft) | 28.2 | 31.2 |
| Aspect Ratio | 4.4 | 4.6 |
| Glider Weight (lbs) | 46 | 51 |
| Hook-In Weight (lbs) | 120-200 | 150-280 |
| Optimum Body Weight (lbs) | 120-150 | 150-220 |
| USHPA Rating | 2 | |
| Vne (mph) | 45 | |
| Va (mph) | 39 | |
| Vms (mph) | 17 | |
| Vd (mph) | 34 | |
| Length (in bag) (in) | 215 | 228 |
| Break-down (in) | 147 | 160 |
| HGMA Certified | August 24, 2015 | |
| Sugg. Retail | $3775.00 | |