The Falcon 3 represented the third generation of Wills Wing's legendary single-surface hang glider line. Building on decades of refinement, the Falcon 3 offered further improvements in sail design, hardware quality, and overall performance while maintaining the light weight, easy setup, and forgiving flight characteristics that have always defined the Falcon.
Available in three sizes — 145, 170, and 195 — the Falcon 3 covered a wide range of pilot weights and was the recommended first purchase glider for the vast majority of new pilots. A Falcon 3 Tandem variant was also produced for instructional use.
Specifications
| Specification | 145 | 170 | 195 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area (ft²) | 145 | 170 | 195 |
| Pilot Rating | USHPA Novice (II) | ||
| Va (mph) | 46 | ||
| Vne (mph) | 53 | ||
| HGMA Certified | 4/20/09 | 4/20/09 | 4/20/09 |
The Falcon 3 retained similar weight ranges across the Falcon series. See the Falcon 4 page for the current equivalent specifications.
See Airworthiness Certifications for complete HGMA and DHV records.
Features
- Refined sail design with improved shape and durability
- All 7075 airframe with pre-formed battens
- Keyhole tang attachment system — no tools needed for setup
- Updated hardware fitments over the Falcon 2
- Exceptional slow-flight capability for tight thermal coring
- Light, responsive, and predictable handling
- Superb flare authority and forgiving landing characteristics
- Available with optional short-pack bag for easier transport
- Deluxe glider bag, control bar bag, batten bag, and Velcro sail ties
- Comprehensive owner/service manual and batten diagram
Pilot Comments
"Thanks so much for letting me borrow their great new Falcon 3 170. The glider was a joy to fly. I was confident in all the thermals no matter how wild. I could whip it around without a problem. I was pushing out and flying at less than 19 mph."
— Davis Straub, July 2006
"The F3 is much more responsive in initial roll, and requires less force to start a slight bank. This made bank adjustments effortless while thermalling. The glide is definitely improved, what with the nose cone and reduced bridle count. Overall the F3 felt 'sportier', more nimble, than the F2 and the original Falcon."
— Ken Howells, August 2006
"I finally got my new F3 out for a soaring flight yesterday. What an amazing glider! I feel like I am driving a little sports car around in the sky."
— Dean Slocum, September 2006
"Thank you for creating the Falcon 3 — for producing a glider that allows beginners like myself to experience the security of stable handling and the predictability of responsiveness while not sacrificing the excitement of great performance."
— Bill Jacques, December 2006
"Thanks for the best single-surface glider in the world. My Falcon 3 195 is a treat to fly, I have soared it above the rest of the gaggle (it thermals great) and I have dune soared it on the beach. But the best part is when I short packed it and took it as excess baggage to Costa Rica."
— Curt Patterson, March 2007
Photo Gallery
Service
The Falcon 3 is covered by several Technical Bulletins. Note: Falcon 3 basetubes are not interchangeable with Falcon 1/Falcon 2 basetubes due to different basetube lengths.
Spare parts for the Falcon 3 are no longer available from Wills Wing. For parts, check with Lookout Mountain Flight Park or the used glider market.
History
The Falcon 3 was the third generation of the world's best-selling single-surface hang glider. It was succeeded by the Falcon 4 around 2019, which introduced further refinements including updated sail cuts and hardware.
The Falcon 3 Tandem was also developed specifically for tandem instructional use. See the Falcon 3 Tandem page for details on that variant, which remained in use for tandem instruction.
Falcon Lineage
- Falcon (original) — ~1994–2005
- Falcon 2 — ~2005–2012
- Falcon 3 — ~2012–2019
- Falcon 4 — 2019–present
Reviews & Articles
- Airline Travel with the Falcon 3: Short Packed by John Wright (HG&PG Magazine, September 2008)