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Special Announcement

The museum is closed September 11 to October 6 with special programming in place. Learn more.
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Ingenium Canada Aviation and Space Museum

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Wills Wing XC-185

Hours and Location

Closed September 11 to October 6
Address
11 Aviation Parkway, Ottawa, ON
Admission
Browse all Visitor Information for Canada Aviation and Space Museum
Browse All Visitor Information

Wills Wing XC-185

Wills Wing XC-185

Highlights:

  • A U.S. hang glider designed and produced by Wills Wings Incorporated from 1977 to 1980
  • Modern hang-gliding took off with development of the triangular-shaped flexible Rogallo wing, invented by American Francis Rogallo in 1948
  • Brothers Bob and Chris Wills began production in 1973
  • "XC" stands for cross-country; "185" refers to wing size
  • "XC" was third model of hang glider produced by Wills Wing
  • First flight was in April 1977 (Museum example)

Image Gallery:

CASM-20736

CASM-20736

CASM-20734

CASM-20734

History:

Early in 1973, two brothers from California – Bob and Chris Wills – formed one of the first hang glider manufacturing companies, Sport Kites which became Wills Wing in 1978. Both men proved highly successful as designers and pilots. In 1973 and 1974, for example, they won first and second place in the first and second national hang gliding competitions held in the United States. In the past thirty years, Wills Wing has maintained this tradition of excellence. Pilots flying the company’s hang gliders have won almost half of the titles awarded in the American national competitions.

In 1984, Wills Wing became the largest manufacturer of hang gliders in North America, a position it still occupies. Since then, the company has become the largest hang glider manufacturer in the world.

Current Location:

Hang Glider Studio, Canada Aviation and Space Museum

Provenance:

Donation

This XC-185 was manufactured by Wills Wing Incorporated at Santa Ana, California in February 1977. It was purchased by Stewart Midwinter, a well-known Canadian hang glider pilot, at the time located at Ottawa. Midwinter first flew the glider in April 1977.

From 1977 to 1980, it was flown recreationally in Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and British Columbia. It last flew at Sumas Mountain, near Chilliwack, British Columbia on December 31, 1980. In total, the XC-185 flew approximately thirty-four hours. Its longest flight was 3 hours and 37 minutes; the highest it flew was 1,100 metres (3,600 feet); and the furthest it flew was 18 kilometres (11 miles). These three records were achieved in British Columbia. Midwinter donated the hang glider to the Museum in October 1982.

Technical Information:

Wing Span 10.9 m (35 ft 8 in)
Length 3.4 m (11 ft)
Height n/a
Weight, Empty 25 kg (54 lb)
Weight, Gross n/a
Cruising Speed n/a
Max Speed n/a
Rate of Climb n/a
Service Ceiling n/a
Range n/a
Crew One
Power Plant None
AVIATION
Canada Aviation and Space Museum
Artifact No.
1982.0241
Manufacturer
Wills Wing Inc.
Manufacturer Location
United States
Manufacture Date
1977
Acquisition Date
1982
  • View all the collection highlights at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum
  • View other collection highlights related to Aviation

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About Canada Aviation and Space Museum

Canada Aviation and Space Museum
Located on a former military air base just five kilometers from the Prime Minister’s residence at 24 Sussex Drive in Ottawa, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum focuses on aviation in Canada within an international context – from its beginnings in 1909 to today.
Read more about the museum

Contact Us

Canada Aviation and Space Museum
11 Aviation Parkway
Ottawa ON K1K 2X5
Canada

613-991-3044
1-866-442-4416
contact@IngeniumCanada.org
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  • Plan Your Visit
    • Browse All Visitor Information
    • Buy Tickets
    • Admission
    • Hours
    • Location and Directions
    • Accessibility
    • Health and Safety
    • About the Museum
  • What's On at the Museum
    • Events
    • Exhibitions
    • Flights and Simulations
    • Spaces and Studios
  • Bookings and Rentals
    • School Programs
    • Summer Camps
    • Venue Rentals
    • Travelling Exhibitions
    • Virtual Field Trips
    • Group Visits
    • Birthday Parties
  • Educational Programs
    • School Programs
    • Virtual Field Trips
    • Program Location
      • At the Museum
      • At your School
      • Online
      • Browse all Educational Programs
    • Popular Links
      • 3D Educational Resources
      • Digital Learning Kits
      • Games and Apps
      • Online Resources for Science at Home
      • Try This Out
  • Collection and Research
    • Research Institute
    • Research Projects
    • Collection Resources
      • Ingenium Collection
      • Collection Highlights
      • Conservation and Collection Services
    • Library and Archives
      • Library and Archives Services
      • Library Catalogue
      • Digital Archives
    • Open Access
      • Ingenium APIs
      • Open Data
      • Open Documents
  • Projects and Initiatives
    • Ingenium Channel
    • The Legacy Series
    • Let's Talk Energy