Grif H2000

H2000
Role	Hang glider
National origin	Italy
Manufacturer	Grif Italia
First flight	1995
Status	In production

The Grif H2000 is an Italian high-wing, single and two-place family of hang gliders, designed and produced by Grif Italia, of Castel Sant'Elia. ^[1]

Design and development

The H2000 was designed for beginners and for flight training and has been progressively improved since its introduction in 1995 under the name Hobby. The H2000 is built in four sizes, with the single place versions designated by their approximate wing area in square meters. ^{[1] [2]}

The aircraft is made from aluminum tubing, with the wing covered in Dacron sailcloth. Its wing is cable braced from a single kingpost and has a nose angle of 120°. Unlike many training and beginner gliders the H2000 is not a single surface wing, but has about 50% double surface that encloses the crossbar. ^[1]

The manufacturer provides a long list of options for the glider, including Hall wheels, ergonomic speed bar, rubber covered upright tubes and a Trilam wing leading edge. ^[2]

Variants

H2000 14

Small sized single-place glider with a wing span of 9.2 m (30.2 ft) and an area of 14.5 m² (156 sq ft). The pilot hook-in weight range is 45 to 65 kg (99 to 143 lb). Can be disassembled down to a size as small as 3.57 m (11.7 ft) in length. ^{[1] [2]}

H2000 15

Medium sized single-place glider with a wing span of 9.6 m (31.5 ft) and an area of 15.5 m² (167 sq ft). The pilot hook-in weight range is 65 to 90 kg (143 to 198 lb). Can be disassembled down to a size as small as 3.80 m (12.5 ft) in length. ^{[1] [2]}

H2000 16

Large sized single-place glider with a wing span of 10 m (32.8 ft) and an area of 16.5 m² (178 sq ft). The pilot hook-in weight range is 85 to 110 kg (187 to 243 lb). Can be disassembled down to a size as small as 4.03 m (13.2 ft) in length. ^{[1] [2]}

H2000 Bi

Early model two-place glider with a wing span of 9.1 m (29.9 ft) and an area of 18.8 m² (202 sq ft). The pilot hook-in weight range is 100 to 160 kg (220 to 353 lb). ^[1]

H2000 CAB

Current model two-place glider with a wing span of 10.9 m (35.8 ft) and an area of 18.8 m² (202 sq ft). The pilot hook-in weight range is 100 to 160 kg (220 to 353 lb). Can be disassembled down to a size as small as 4.13 m (13.5 ft) in length. ^[2]

Specifications (H2000 15)

Data from Bertrand and Grif ^{[1] [2]}

General characteristics

• Crew: one
• Wingspan: 9.6 m (31 ft 6 in)
• Wing area: 15.5 m² (167 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 23.5 kg (52 lb)
• Gross weight: 113.5 kg (250 lb)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 85 km/h (53 mph, 46 kn)
• Cruise speed: 50 km/h (31 mph, 27 kn)
• Stall speed: 25 km/h (16 mph, 13 kn)
• Wing loading: 7.3 kg/m² (1.5 lb/sq ft)

References

1. Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 44. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
2. Grif Italia (n.d.). "H2000" . Retrieved 19 February 2012.

External links

• Official website