The RamAir was a pioneering Wills Wing design that introduced the keyhole tang system — the quick-connect hardware mechanism that is still used on Wills Wing gliders today. This innovation dramatically simplified glider assembly, eliminating the need for bolts and wrenches during setup and allowing pilots to assemble their gliders quickly and reliably.
Available in two sizes — 146 and 154 — the RamAir was rated for advanced pilots and represented the state of the art in high-performance hang glider design during the mid-to-late 1980s.
Specifications
| Specification | 146 | 154 |
|---|---|---|
| Area (ft²) | 146 | 154 |
| Hook-In Weight (lbs) | 145-260 | 160-270 |
| Pilot Rating | USHPA Advanced (IV) | |
| Va (mph) | 52 | |
| Vne (mph) | 60 | |
| Vs max (mph) | <25 | |
| Vd min (mph) | >46 | |
Specifications from Wills Wing placard data, circa 2000.
See Airworthiness Certifications for complete HGMA and DHV records.
Features
- Introduced the keyhole tang system for rapid, tool-free assembly
- Advanced airframe construction for its era
- Double-surface sail design
- Kingpost-mounted configuration
- High-performance VG system
History
The RamAir was one of the most influential Wills Wing designs, not for its performance alone, but for the hardware innovations it introduced. The keyhole tang attachment system, which debuted on the RamAir, became a defining feature of all subsequent Wills Wing gliders. This system allowed pilots to assemble their gliders quickly and securely without tools — a significant advancement in convenience and safety.
Paul Voight, in his 1997 review of the Ultra Sport, noted that his only complaint about Wills Wing gliders "since the RamAir" was the retention of the two nose battens — a testament to how the RamAir established the hardware platform that persisted through subsequent generations.
The RamAir was succeeded by the HP AT, which became Wills Wing's flagship competition glider and the platform for Larry Tudor's world records.
Reviews
Read the full reviews: RamAir 146 by Mark Stucky and RamAir 154 by Paul Voight
Originally published in Hang Gliding Magazine, June and November 1994.
"'Stiletto,' was the name that came to mind as I screamed along. The RamAir cuts through the air like a knife through butter — fast and clean." — Mark Stucky
Mark Stucky's technical review of the 146 applied formal flight test methodology, while Paul Voight's review of the 154 told the full story of the RamAir controversy, the grounding, the modification, and the glider's ultimate redemption.