The Icaro Stratos is an Italian

high-wing A monoplane is a fixed-wing aircraft configuration with a single mainplane, in contrast to a biplane or other types of multiplanes, which have multiple planes. A monoplane has inherently the highest efficiency and lowest drag of any wing co ...

, single-place, rigid-wing

hang glider Hang gliding is an air sport or recreational activity in which a pilot flies a light, non-motorised foot-launched heavier-than-air aircraft called a hang glider. Most modern hang gliders are made of an aluminium alloy or composite frame cover ...

that was designed by

Icaro 2000 Icaro 2000 is an Italian aircraft manufacturer, based in Sangiano. The company specializes in the design and manufacturer of hang gliders, ultralight trikes and hang gliding helmets.Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: ''World Directory of Leis ...

in conjunction with A-I-R GmbH and Felix Ruhle and produced by Icaro 2000, of Sangiano, circa 2003.Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: ''World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04'', page 45. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X

Design and development

The Stratos was a collaborative project between A-I-R GmbH and Icaro 2000. Following the launch of this model both companies pursued their own directions on rigid wing design, although they continued to collaborate on parts manufacture. The aircraft is made from tubing, with the wing covered in

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sailcloth. The Stratos was built in two sizes to accommodate differing pilot weights, "L" and "M".

Operational history

The Laminar was used to win the World Hang Gliding Championships in 2002 in Class 5, Rigid Wing. Angelo d'Arrigo flew a Stratos on the first flight over

Mount Everest Mount Everest (; Tibetic languages, Tibetan: ''Chomolungma'' ; ) is List of highest mountains on Earth, Earth's highest mountain above sea level, located in the Mahalangur Himal sub-range of the Himalayas. The China–Nepal border ru ...

(8848 m), on 24 May 2004, setting an altitude record for hang gliders.

Variants

;Stratos L :Large sized model for heavier pilots. Its span wing has an aspect ratio of 11.9 and a wing area of . Pilot hook-in weight range is . Certified as DHV Class 3. ;Stratos M :Small sized model for lighter pilots. Its span wing has an aspect ratio of 12.7 and a wing area of . Pilot hook-in weight range is .

Aircraft on display

Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnologia "Leonardo da Vinci" Museo Nazionale Scienza e Tecnologia Leonardo da Vinci in Milan, dedicated to painter and scientist Leonardo da Vinci, is the largest science and technology museum in Italy. It was opened on 5 February 1953 and inaugurated by Prime Minister Alci ...

Milan, Italy Milan ( , , Lombard: ; it, Milano ) is a city in northern Italy, capital of Lombardy, and the second-most populous city proper in Italy after Rome. The city proper has a population of about 1.4 million, while its metropolitan city ...

Specifications (Stratos L)

References

{{Portal bar, Italy, Companies, Aviation Stratos Hang gliders