Litespeed

The Moyes Litespeed redefines its category of a high performance glider. Utilising the latest in design, materials, manufacturing and technology, the Moyes Litespeed applies a new benchmark by providing high performance coupled with easy handling.

Bridging the gap between flex wings and rigid wings in terms of performance, the Moyes Litespeed provides fantastic high speed capabilities, excellent sink rate and a superior climb rate. You’ll find the best glide ratio better than most hang gliders and the high-speed glide ratio will put you in front of the pack.

However the usual handling trade-offs for these high performance benefits have been removed with the Moyes Litespeed. The glider is lighter than earlier models, extremely easy to handle, offers outstanding slow flying speed capabilities, provides enhanced pitch stability and is simple to land. In fact, the Moyes Litespeed is so easy to handle, you'll think you're in an Intermediate Glider, until you pull in the base bar and leave everyone behind.

Despite these benefits, the Moyes Litespeed still provides the strength, durability and structural integrity for which the Moyes development team are famous.

The Moyes Litespeed was designed by Gerolf Heinrich in conjunction with the Moyes development team. Gerolf, an Austrian team pilot and a certified aerodynamicist, committed to designing and developing the world's best hang glider. A goal that has been achieved with the Moyes Litespeed.

The Litespeed features an entire 7075 alloy frame, which is light and stiff. The leading edge is a thick 62mm (2 7/16 in) tube with curved glass tips, which assists in providing a stiff, well-tensioned leading edge, thus enhancing the high-speed capabilities of the glider.

As with Moyes previous kingpostless glider, the CSX, the cross bars are manufactured from a high-grade carbon fibre, which have been further enhanced for the new Litespeed. The carbon fibre spars are manufactured utilising yachting American Cup technology. Each carbon fibre spar is constructed of pre-impregnated fibre cloth and cured in a pre-heated oven at 120 degrees Celsius for 1.5 hours. The lay-up schedule incorporates unidirectional fibre, biaxial fibre, and woven cloth, which are laid in a sequence that optimises strength, flexibility and weight.

The carbon fibre cross bars are positioned with the VG, which is partially installed within the upright tubing on the right side. The design of the VG provides a considerable range and is a significant contributor to the diverse useable speed range of the glider.

Another significant contributor to the diverse useable speed range on the Moyes Litespeed is the dive stick design. The dive sticks are attached and pivot from the leading edge, however the cable support for the dive stick is attached to the carbon fibre spar. With this design, when VG is off, the dive sticks are optimally positioned to provide low speed stability and handling. However, as VG is applied, the dive sticks will lower, flattening the trailing edge and providing a more aerodynamic profile to improve the glider high speed capabilities.

There are two options with the sail of the Moyes Litespeed. The glider is available with the Powerrib (Dacron) material, which provides a slightly more forgiving flight, or the Mylar sail, which is considerably stiffer and therefore provides higher performance. The Mylar sail is constructed with a PX20 leading edge and PX10 used on the remaining top surface. PX20 is a thicker Mylar material to the lighter PX10. While the Powerrib has traditionally been considered more durable, the new PX Mylar materials have advanced considerably and would now match the Powerrib in this area.

The battens of the Litespeed are also constructed from the 7075 alloy. The upper surface battens are contained within the sail using a spring-loaded retention device. This method provides easy installation of the battens while ensuring a clean trailing edge, further minimising drag. The under surface battens are installed through a small hole in the sail and are held in place by a recess in the batten sleeve.

The A-frame is made of an aerodynamic 7075 alloy tubing. The base bar can be optionally fitted with the Moyes FAST bar made of aerodynamic alloy tubing.

With the Moyes Litespeed you'll launch better, fly better and land better - after all the Moyes Litespeed is a better glider.