Apco Simba
{|{{Infobox Aircraft Begin
| name= Simba
| image=
| caption=
}}{{Infobox Aircraft Type
| type=[[Paraglider]]
| national origin=[[Israel]]
| manufacturer=[[Apco Aviation]]
| designer=
| first flight=
| introduced=
| retired=
| status=Production completed
| primary user=
| more users= <!--Limited to three in total; separate using <br /> -->
| produced= mid-2000s
| number built=
| program cost= <!--Total program cost-->
| unit cost= [[Euro|€]]3,127 (Simba XS Competition, 2004)
| developed from=
| variants with their own articles=
}}
|}
The '''Apco Simba''' ({{lang-en|Lion}}) is an [[Israel]]i single-place, [[paraglider]] that was designed and produced by [[Apco Aviation]] of [[Caesarea]]. It is now out of production.<ref name="WDLA04">Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: ''World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04'', page 12. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X</ref>
==Design and development==
The Simba was designed as a competition glider for the Serial Class and the Open Class, replacing the [[Apco Bagheera]] in that role.<ref name="WDLA04" /><ref name="Apco">{{cite web|url=http://www.apcoaviation.com/products/1/apc77.html |title=Apco Simba II |accessdate=22 March 2016 |author=[[Apco Aviation]] |date= |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080726164854/http://www.apcoaviation.com/products/1/apc77.html |archivedate=26 July 2008 |df= }}</ref>
The Simba is made from 46gr/m2 "Zero Porosity" ripstop [[nylon]]. The Simba was produced in regular and competition models, with competition version differing only in the type of line used. The competition model employs unsheathed [[Aramid]] lines of identical lengths and layout to the sheathed lines of the regular model.<ref name="Apco"/>
The design progressed through two generations of models, the Simba and the Simba II. The Simba II was introduced in 2002 as an update of the original Simba design. It incorporates an improved speed system, along with a new tip A-line layout. This gives better glide and stability at top speed, as well as an increase in the top speed. The improved tip line layout gives easier "Big Ear" deployment.<ref name="WDLA04"/><ref name="Apco"/>
The models are each named for their relative size.<ref name="WDLA04"/><ref name="Apco"/>
<!-- ==Operational history== -->
==Variants==
;Simba XS Competition
:Extra small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its {{convert|11.90|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} span wing has a wing area of {{convert|24.90|m2|sqft|abbr=on}}, 106 cells and the [[Aspect ratio (aeronautics)|aspect ratio]] is 5.70:1. The pilot weight range is {{convert|60|to|75|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}. The glider model is AFNOR Performance certified.<ref name="WDLA04"/>
;Simba S
:Small-sized model for light-weight pilots. Its {{convert|12.20|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} span wing has a wing area of {{convert|25.8|m2|sqft|abbr=on}}, 109 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.80:1. The pilot weight range is {{convert|73|to|90|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}. The glider model is AFNOR Performance certified.<ref name="WDLA04"/>
;Simba II XS
:Extra small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its {{convert|11.90|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} span wing has a wing area of {{convert|24.90|m2|sqft|abbr=on}}, 103 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.7:1. The glider empty weight is {{convert|6.8|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}} and pilot weight range is {{convert|60|to|75|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}. The glider model is AFNOR Performance certified.<ref name="Apco"/>
;Simba II S
:Small-sized model for light-weight pilots. Its {{convert|12.20|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} span wing has a wing area of {{convert|25.80|m2|sqft|abbr=on}}, 106 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.80:1. The glider empty weight is {{convert|7.0|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}} and pilot weight range is {{convert|73|to|90|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}. The glider model is AFNOR Performance and DHV 2 certified.<ref name="Apco"/>
;Simba II M
:Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its {{convert|12.90|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} span wing has a wing area of {{convert|27.60|m2|sqft|abbr=on}}, 112 cells and the aspect ratio is 6.00:1. The glider empty weight is {{convert|7.4|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}} and pilot weight range is {{convert|85|to|105|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}. The glider model is AFNOR Performance and DHV 2 certified.<ref name="Apco"/>
;Simba II L
:Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its {{convert|13.50|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} span wing has a wing area of {{convert|29.40|m2|sqft|abbr=on}}, 124 cells and the aspect ratio is 6.30:1. The glider empty weight is {{convert|7.6|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}} and pilot weight range is {{convert|100|to|120|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}. The glider model is AFNOR Performance and DHV 2 certified.<ref name="Apco"/>
<!-- ==Aircraft on display== -->
==Specifications (Simba XS Competition) ==
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=Bertrand<ref name="WDLA04" />
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|span m=11.90
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|wing area sqm=24.90
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|aspect ratio=5.70:1
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|max speed kmh=59
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|sink rate ms=0.9
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==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
*{{Official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20080726164854/http://www.apcoaviation.com/products/1/apc77.html}}
{{Apco aircraft}}
[[Category:Apco aircraft|Simba]]
[[Category:Paragliders]]