Aeriane Standard Swift
Standard Swift description (discontinued)
The Swift is a lightweight (48 kg) foot-launched tailless sailplane whose rigid wings have a span of 12 m. It was originally developed by a Californian company, Bright Star Gliders, with Brian Robbins, Steve Morris, Brian Porter and Eric Beckman. Aeriane manufactured it under license before becoming the sole manufacturer. The first Aeriane Swift was delivered in 1993. Following the development of subsequent versions, the original Swift was renamed “standard Swift”.
See article Design-and-Development-of-the-Swift.pdf for more details.
The standard Swift Aeriane was produced from 1993 to 2000. It was then replaced by the Swift’Light.
After-sales service remains available for some parts and repairs are still possible.
Some of the first Swifts delivered, carefully maintained, continue to fly 30 years after their delivery.
Parts List and original manual, including the Second Chantz Parachute with Air Rocket system can be found here: https://aeriane.com/manuals/
Standard Swift
The Standard Swift has been delivered as an open cockpit or with an optional fairing. The parachute is integrated into the headrest. It was originally powered by an air rocket Second Chantz.
Closed Fairing
With a fairing, performance is greatly improved – the glide ratio increases from 20:1 to 25:1.
Footlaunch
The Swift can be easily launched on foot, at any hang gliding site.
Footlaunch with a closed cockpit
For the closed fairing, a soft hatch is provided under the pilot. This hatch closes after takeoff.
Take-off
The Swift can also be taken off by winch, towed or by bungee cord.
Evolutions
Additional equipment such as air brakes and a third axis control were gradually offered.
Other versions of the Standard Swift
Swift-PAS
A motorization kit to install on a Standard Swift.
2-stroke engine derived from a Solo 210, 12 HP to 16 HP, Duc or Arplast folding propeller, and front wheel steering.
Swift-PAS with fairing
This is the free flight fairing, cut to fit the powered Swift.
P-Swift
Glider-type rigid fairing for the Standard Swift, fully closed cockpit, with canopy. 3-axes with rudder pedals in the “aircraft” direction. 25 hp Zanzoterra F33 engine. Folding propeller.
P-Swift
Inside the cockpit: on the left, you can see the flap controls, notched, the throttle and the choke, and in red, the parachute handle. On the right, the stick with an adjustable trim, and in the center, the brake control. There are four rudder pedals, two for the nose wheel and two for the winglets.
BiSwift
The BiSwift is a two-seater version of the Swift using the standard Swift wings. A side-by-side, tricycle, 2-axis aircraft, this version was developed solely for training purposes.
