Swing Astral

{|{{Infobox Aircraft Begin
| name=Astral
| image=
| caption=
}}{{Infobox Aircraft Type
| type=[[Paraglider]]
| national origin=[[Germany]]
| manufacturer=[[Swing Flugsportgeräte]]
| designer=
| first flight=
| introduced=
| retired=
| status=Production completed
| primary user=
| more users= <!--Limited to three in total; separate using <br /> -->
| produced= 1990s - mid 2000s
| number built=
| program cost= <!--Total program cost-->
| unit cost= [[Pound sterling|£]]1,702 (Astral 3, 2004)
| developed from=
| variants with their own articles=
}}
|}
The '''Astral''' is a [[Germany|German]] single-place [[paraglider]] that was designed and produced by [[Swing Flugsportgeräte]] of [[Landsberied]]. It is now out of production.<ref name="WDLA04">Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: ''World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04'', page 32. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. {{ISSN|1368-485X}}</ref>

==Design and development==
The Astral was designed as an intermediate glider. A two-seat [[tandem]] version was also developed for [[flight training]], the Astral Twin.<ref name="WDLA04"/>

The design has progressed through seven generations of models, each improving on the last. The models are each named for their approximate projected wing area in square metres.<ref name="WDLA04"/>

==Operational history==
Reviewer Noel Bertrand described the Astral in a 2003 review as "a very good DHV 2 [glider]".<ref name="WDLA04"/>

==Variants==
===Astral 2===
;Astral 2 24
:Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its {{convert|11.8|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} span wing has a wing area of {{convert|26.3|m2|sqft|abbr=on}}, 58 cells and the [[Aspect ratio (aeronautics)|aspect ratio]] is 5.3:1. The take-off weight range is {{convert|70|to|90|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}. The glider model is [[Deutscher Hängegleiterverband e.V.]] (DHV) 2 GH certified.<ref name="Astral2">{{cite web|url = http://www.swing.de/astral-2-en.html|title = Astral 2|accessdate = 18 November 2016|author = [[Swing Flugsportgeräte]]}}</ref>
;Astral 2 26
:Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its {{convert|12.3|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} span wing has a wing area of {{convert|28.7|m2|sqft|abbr=on}}, 58 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.3:1. The take-off weight range is {{convert|80|to|105|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}. The glider model is DHV 2 GH certified.<ref name="WDLA04"/>
;Astral 2 28
:Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its {{convert|13.1|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} span wing has a wing area of {{convert|31.1|m2|sqft|abbr=on}}, 58 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.3:1. The take-off weight range is {{convert|100|to|125|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}. The glider model is DHV 2 GH certified.<ref name="WDLA04"/>
===Astral 3===
;Astral 3 22
:Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its {{convert|11.6|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} span wing has a wing area of {{convert|26|m2|sqft|abbr=on}}, 66 cells and the [[Aspect ratio (aeronautics)|aspect ratio]] is 5.5:1. The pilot weight range is {{convert|60|to|80|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}. The glider model is DHV 2-3 certified.<ref name="WDLA04"/>
;Astral 3 24
:Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its {{convert|12.0|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} span wing has a wing area of {{convert|27|m2|sqft|abbr=on}}, 66 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.5:1. The pilot weight range is {{convert|65|to|90|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}. The glider model is DHV 2 certified.<ref name="WDLA04"/>
;Astral 3 26
:Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its {{convert|12.5|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} span wing has a wing area of {{convert|28.5|m2|sqft|abbr=on}}, 66 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.5:1. The pilot weight range is {{convert|85|to|105|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}. The glider model is DHV 2 certified.<ref name="WDLA04"/>
;Astral 3 28
:Extra large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its {{convert|13.2|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} span wing has a wing area of {{convert|30.5|m2|sqft|abbr=on}}, 66 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.5:1. The pilot weight range is {{convert|100|to|130|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}. The glider model is DHV 2 certified.<ref name="WDLA04"/>
===Astral 4===
;Astral 4 22
:Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its {{convert|12|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} span wing has a wing area of {{convert|26|m2|sqft|abbr=on}}, 57 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.55:1. The take-off weight range is {{convert|55|to|80|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}. The glider model is DHV LTF 2 certified.<ref name="Astral4">{{cite web|url = http://www.swing.de/astral-4-en.html|title = Astral 4|accessdate = 18 November 2016|author = [[Swing Flugsportgeräte]]}}</ref>
;Astral 4 24
:Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its {{convert|12.5|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} span wing has a wing area of {{convert|27|m2|sqft|abbr=on}}, 57 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.55:1. The take-off weight range is {{convert|70|to|95|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}. The glider model is DHV LTF 2 certified.<ref name="Astral4"/>
;Astral 4 26
:Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its {{convert|12.55|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} span wing has a wing area of {{convert|28.4|m2|sqft|abbr=on}}, 57 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.55:1. The take-off weight range is {{convert|85|to|110|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}. The glider model is DHV LTF 2 certified.<ref name="Astral4"/>
;Astral 4 28
:Extra large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its {{convert|12.85|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} span wing has a wing area of {{convert|29.8|m2|sqft|abbr=on}}, 57 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.55:1. The take-off weight range is {{convert|100|to|125|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}. The glider model is DHV LTF 2 certified.<ref name="Astral4"/>
===Astral 5===
;Astral 5 22
:Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its {{convert|12.1|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} span wing has a wing area of {{convert|26|m2|sqft|abbr=on}}, 53 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.7:1. The take-off weight range is {{convert|55|to|80|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}. The glider model is DHV LTF 2 certified.<ref name="Astral5">{{cite web|url = http://www.swing.de/astral-5-en.html|title = Astral 5|accessdate = 18 November 2016|author = [[Swing Flugsportgeräte]]}}</ref>
;Astral 5 24
:Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its {{convert|12.4|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} span wing has a wing area of {{convert|27|m2|sqft|abbr=on}}, 53 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.7:1. The take-off weight range is {{convert|70|to|95|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}. The glider model is DHV LTF 2 certified.<ref name="Astral5"/>
;Astral 5 26
:Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its {{convert|12.7|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} span wing has a wing area of {{convert|28.5|m2|sqft|abbr=on}}, 53 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.7:1. The take-off weight range is {{convert|85|to|110|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}. The glider model is DHV LTF 2 certified.<ref name="Astral5"/>
;Astral 5 28
:Extra large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its {{convert|13|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} span wing has a wing area of {{convert|30|m2|sqft|abbr=on}}, 53 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.7:1. The take-off weight range is {{convert|100|to|125|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}. The glider model is DHV LTF 2 certified.<ref name="Astral5"/>
===Astral 6===
;Astral 6 22
:Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its {{convert|12.39|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} span wing has a wing area of {{convert|24|m2|sqft|abbr=on}}, 57 cells and the aspect ratio is 6.4:1. The take-off weight range is {{convert|60|to|80|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}. The glider model is DHV LTF 2 and CEN C certified.<ref name="Astral6">{{cite web|url = http://www.swing.de/astral-6-en.html|title = Astral 6|accessdate = 18 November 2016|author = [[Swing Flugsportgeräte]]}}</ref>
;Astral 6 24
:Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its {{convert|12.77|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} span wing has a wing area of {{convert|25.5|m2|sqft|abbr=on}}, 57 cells and the aspect ratio is 6.4:1. The take-off weight range is {{convert|70|to|95|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}. The glider model is DHV LTF 2 and CEN C certified.<ref name="Astral6"/>
;Astral 6 26
:Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its {{convert|13.15|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} span wing has a wing area of {{convert|27|m2|sqft|abbr=on}}, 57 cells and the aspect ratio is 6.4:1. The take-off weight range is {{convert|85|to|110|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}. The glider model is DHV LTF 2 and CEN C certified.<ref name="Astral6"/>
;Astral 6 28
:Extra large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its {{convert|13.5|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} span wing has a wing area of {{convert|28.5|m2|sqft|abbr=on}}, 57 cells and the aspect ratio is 6.4:1. The take-off weight range is {{convert|100|to|130|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}. The glider model is DHV LTF 2 and CEN C certified.<ref name="Astral6"/>
===Astral 7===
;Astral 7 22
:Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its {{convert|12.39|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} span wing has a wing area of {{convert|24|m2|sqft|abbr=on}}, 57 cells and the aspect ratio is 6.4:1. The take-off weight range is {{convert|70|to|87|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}. The glider model is DHV LTF C and CEN C certified.<ref name="Astral7">{{cite web|url = http://www.swing.de/astral-7-en.html|title = Astral 7|accessdate = 18 November 2016|author = [[Swing Flugsportgeräte]]}}</ref>
;Astral 7 24
:Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its {{convert|12.77|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} span wing has a wing area of {{convert|25.5|m2|sqft|abbr=on}}, 57 cells and the aspect ratio is 6.4:1. The take-off weight range is {{convert|80|to|102|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}. The glider model is DHV LTF C and CEN C certified.<ref name="Astral7"/>
;Astral 7 26
:Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its {{convert|13.14|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} span wing has a wing area of {{convert|27|m2|sqft|abbr=on}}, 57 cells and the aspect ratio is 6.4:1. The take-off weight range is {{convert|90|to|110|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}. The glider model is DHV LTF C and CEN C certified.<ref name="Astral7"/>
;Astral 7 28
:Extra large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its {{convert|13.5|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} span wing has a wing area of {{convert|28.5|m2|sqft|abbr=on}}, 57 cells and the aspect ratio is 6.4:1. The take-off weight range is {{convert|100|to|125|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}. The glider model is DHV LTF C and CEN C certified.<ref name="Astral7"/>
<!-- ==Aircraft on display== -->

==Specifications (Astral 3 24) ==
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=Bertrand<ref name="WDLA04" />
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|crew=one
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|span m=12.0
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|wing area sqm=27.0
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|aspect ratio=5.5:1
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|max speed kmh=50
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|sink rate ms=1.05
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==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Official website|http://www.swing.de/products/produktgruppe/astral.html}}
{{Swing aircraft}}
[[Category:Swing aircraft|Astral]]
[[Category:Paragliders]]