Calipt'Air Vectis

Vectis
Role	Paraglider
National origin	Switzerland
Manufacturer	Calipt'Air
Status	Production completed
Produced	mid-2000s
Unit cost	€2,675 (Vectis L, 2004)

The Calipt'Air Vectis is a Swiss single-place, paraglider that was designed and produced by Calipt'Air of Spiez. It is now out of production.^[1]

Design and development

The Vectis was designed as a performance intermediate and competition glider. The models are each named for their relative size.^[1]

Operational history

Reviewer Noel Bertrand described the Vectis in a 2003 review as the company's "top of the range wing".^[1]

Variants

Vectis S

Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 11.68 m (38.3 ft) span wing has a wing area of 24.8 m² (267 sq ft), 63 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.45:1. The pilot weight range is 65 to 85 kg (143 to 187 lb). The glider model is DHV 2 certified.^[1]

Vectis M

Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its 12.16 m (39.9 ft) span wing has a wing area of 26.9 m² (290 sq ft), 63 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.45:1. The pilot weight range is 80 to 100 kg (176 to 220 lb). The glider model is DHV 2 certified.^[1]

Vectis L

Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 12.63 m (41.4 ft) span wing has a wing area of 29 m² (310 sq ft), 63 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.45:1. The pilot weight range is 95 to 120 kg (209 to 265 lb). The glider model is DHV 2 certified.^[1]

Specifications (Vectis L)

Data from Bertrand^[1]

General characteristics

• Crew: one
• Wingspan: 12.63 m (41 ft 5 in)
• Wing area: 29 m² (310 sq ft)
• Aspect ratio: 5.45:1

Performance

• Maximum speed: 53 km/h (33 mph; 29 kn)
• Rate of sink: 1.1 m/s (220 ft/min)

References

1. Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 14. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X