Seedwings Europe Merlin

Merlin
Role	Hang glider
National origin	Austria
Manufacturer	Seedwings Europe
Status	Production completed
Produced	mid-2000s
Unit cost	€3,834 (2004)

The Seedwings Europe Merlin is an Austrian high-wing, single-place, hang glider that was designed and produced by Seedwings Europe of Schlitters. Now out of production, when it was available the aircraft was supplied complete and ready-to-fly.^[1]

Design and development

The Merlin was designed as an intermediate-level hang glider with an emphasis on optimized sail design to eliminate twist at all speeds. It is made from aluminum tubing, with the double-surface wing covered in Dacron sailcloth.^[1]

The models are each named for their rough wing area in square feet.^[1]

Variants

Merlin 133

Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 9.9 m (32.5 ft) span wing is cable braced from a single kingpost. The nose angle is 132°, the wing area is 12.4 m² (133 sq ft)and the aspect ratio is 8:1. The pilot hook-in weight range is 60 to 80 kg (132 to 176 lb). The glider is DHV 3 certified.^[1]

Merlin 148

Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its 10.25 m (33.6 ft) span wing is cable braced from a single kingpost. The nose angle is 133°, the wing area is 13.8 m² (149 sq ft) and the aspect ratio is 7.6:1. The pilot hook-in weight range is 70 to 90 kg (154 to 198 lb). The glider is DHV 2-3 certified.^[1]

Merlin 158

Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 10.4 m (34.1 ft) span wing is cable braced from a single kingpost. The nose angle is 133°, the wing area is 14.6 m² (157 sq ft) and the aspect ratio is 7.4:1. The pilot hook-in weight range is 80 to 110 kg (176 to 243 lb). The glider is DHV 2-3 certified.^[1]

Specifications (Merlin 133)

Data from Bertrand^[1]

General characteristics

• Crew: one
• Wingspan: 9.9 m (32 ft 6 in)
• Wing area: 12.4 m² (133 sq ft)
• Aspect ratio: 8:1

References

1. Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 48. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X