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| ITV
TEPEE
New in the ITV range is this beginners model, certified "Afnor/CEN
Standard class" and aimed at schools and training. The
Tepee is a glider “to begin the activity. It is very
manoeuvrable, ludic, and very safe in turbulences. It should
also be a very good glider for the paramotor, as an intermediate
glider" say at ITV.
The Tepee has a glide ratio of around 7,5 and max. speed of
42 k/h, according to the manufacturer.
It is built in Skytex 44 g/m² and it will be available
soon in sizes S, M, L and XL.
Info: www.itv.fr
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photo
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GIN
YETI
This is a new ultra-light glider designed for mountaineering
and based in Gin’s beginner’s model, Bolero Plus
“with a bit more speed and more dynamic handling than
the Bolero Plus”, say at Gin. The development of the Yeti
was encouraged by the participation of Gin pilots in the X-Alps,
last summer’s big PG event, with the result of a glider
that weights less than 4 kgs (3,7 kg for the XS size and 3,9
for the S). The Yeti is built using a totally new light fabric
from PORCHER, with an environmentally friendly coating (9017
E68A). Lines are heat treated and pre-stretched from LIROS,
and the risers are constructed from dyneema webbing made by
the famous sailing supplier Bainbridge, according to Gin. In
flight, its behaviour its quite similar to the Bolero Plus,
with an “extremely” easy take-off thanks to its
ultra-light weight. It is also equipped with attachment points
on the top surface to fix the glider to the ground, to ease
launch from steep slopes or snow. Gin is still working in a
full mountain gear that can weight 5 kg! (including glider,
rucksack, harness and carabiners) and their plan is to release
their new super ultra-light harness soon. The Yeti can be ordered
with a lightweight bag or with a convertible lightweight harness,
and it’s available in 4 sizes (XS to L).
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| GIN
Bolero Plus - XS and Paramotor
Gin has widen the range of pilots for whom the Bolero Plus can
fit, with a new XS size with a weight range from 55 to 75 kg,
recently re-certified by the DHV with this modified weight range.
“The Bolero Plus is now one of the few gliders certified
DHV 1 which allows a 40kg pilot to fly within a certified weight
range”, say Gin’s designers.
The manufacturer has also released a special version of the
Bolero Plus adapted for use with a paramotor. The glider has
passed the German Certification DUVL for paramotoring with trim
risers. This is the second model for use with motor from Gin,
as they also have a more performing glider specially designed
for paramotoring, the Tuareg, which offers better agility.
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Info:
www.gingliders.com |
TREKKING
Sebring
After
5 years of development, the French manufacturer has
released a new perfo glider certified Afnor Standard
in 3 sizes, the Sebring. According to Trekking, it’s
a glider with a high level of performance, security
and handling, designed for cross country pilots. “With
its 8,75 points of glide we would not recommend the
SEBRING for beginner pilots; it’s for the experienced
pilots who don’t want to fly under "hot"
wings, but don’t want to lose performance when
changing to a more basic wing that is good reassuring
but limited in the transitions”. The Sebring is
the answer, with a maximum speed of 54 k/h (manufacturer’s
data) and available in sizes S, M and L. At Trekking
they take your second hand glider for 650 euros (750
if it’s a Trekking), discounted when you buy a
Sebring.
Info:
www.trekking.fr
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PRO-DESIGN
Jazz-Bi
From
their intermediate glider released this year, the Jazz
(DHV 1-2), the austrian factory has created the new
tandem glider Jazz-Bi. Like the Jazz, it’s a light-weight
glider with a small packing, thanks to a simple line
layout and partial ribs technology, and with easy characteristics
of take-off and flying. The Jazz-Bi comes with split
A-line for big ears, a new tandem spreader with removable
tubing, and Pro-Design’s newest design solutions,
like reinforcement tape along the span, Ram-Air pockets
for more stability at high speeds, TETS brake line attachments
for an efficient braking, and differing line diameters.
“The use of latest materials in cloth and lines,
all ribs on A-s and B-s attached with lines, partial
V-ribs on C-s and D-s, a well developed profile shape
and an optimum canopy outline make the JAZZ-BI a unique
Tandem setting new levels!”, say the designers.
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Info:
www.pro-design.at
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OZONE
Vulcan XS
The final
size of Ozone’s new intermediate wing, the Vulcan,
has finally passed the DHV tests and like all the Vulcans
is certified as DHV2. The XS size keeps the security
levels and performance of its larger brothers, according
to Ozone designers. “We've had some great feedback
from the test pilots and we're pleased the XS Vulcan
has achieved our goals”, say at the English-French
factory. The weight range of the smallest Vulcan goes
from 55 to 70 kg all up, so some female and lightweight
pilots will surely appreciate it.
Info:
www.flyozone.com
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SWING
Axis 3
The
new training and entry-level glider from the German
factory is aimed at beginners, "social pilots"
and advanced pilots looking for “maximum safety
and flying enjoyment”, according to Swing. The
Axis 3 (size 26) has already passed the new certification
tests of the DHV in class 1, and its main features are
controlled launch behaviour with no tendency to overshoot
or hang back, and easy handling both on the ground and
in flight. The brakes are long and progressive, allowing
for a “particularly forgiving” handling.
Trim speed is 36 k/h and maximum speed is 48 k/h, according
to the manufacturer. It is a “classically”
designed glider with “high canopy stability and
good dampening on all axes”, and it will be available
very soon in 3 sizes (24, 26 & 28). The first Axis
3 were seen flying in the skies of St. Hilaire (France),
a few weeks ago.
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More info: www.swing.de |
SKYWALK
Mescal
Recently
certified under the new (more strict) DHV tests in class
1, the Mescal is the first glider to benefit from the
“jet-flap” technology developed by the German
manufacturer Skywalk. Thanks to these jet-flaps, which
are a system of valves placed on the trailing edge (inner
sail) every third cell, the Mescal can reach a very low
minimum speed before stalling, keeping good reserves of
speed for the pilot’s safety.
According
to the glider’s designers, these features allow
for “phenomenal thermal characteristics, and outstanding
climbing performance”, while enjoying a fine handling,
"clear signs of its family resemblance to the CAYENNE
(DHV 2)”. The Mescal has a dampened behaviour (“no
more overshooting”), more lift per area and good
stability in general, according to Skywalk, and it’s
suitable for beginner pilots and intermediate pilots looking
for maximum safety.
Info: www.skywalk.info
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NOVA
Syntax
The
new intermediate-basic glider from Nova is in certification
process (DHV 1-2 expected). It’s a glider aimed
at low-experienced pilots that will offer them a high
level of safety. The idea was to make “a real successor”
of the X-act, easy, safe and performant. According to
Nova’s leader Hannes Papesh, the Syntax is faster
in trim speed and has higher maximum speed, with even
better safety and more performance, and a very forgiving,
fun handling. “It has an extremely low minimum
speed and a very long max. brake travel. I never flew
a wing that turns so flat and narrow”, he says.
At
Nova they also emphasize its glide ratio “surprisingly
good”, and also its dampened behaviour and soft
reactions that makes the Syntax suitable for inexperienced
pilots as well. We’ll still have to wait a little
to test these qualities by ourselves.
More
info:
www.nova-wings.com
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ADVANCE
Bi Beta 3
The
Swiss factory has announced the release of their new tandem
glider for November. The Bi Beta 3 will include some technical
innovations, like trimmers to increase the speed, and
a new big ears kit that will allow the pilot to control
the glider with the brakes at the same time. Trim speed
is 38 k/h and max. speed is 45 k/h, according to Advance.
The weight range (total) is 125 to 220 kg. The new tandem
is in certification, so we expect to receive some more
information very soon.
Info:
www.advance.ch
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After
some speculation about this unusual model of paraglider,
that emulates the shape of the birds’ wings, the
Bionic 2 has gone into certification with the French organism
Afnor for the Standard category. It’s a glider composed
by 2 wings united, with upward wingtips to obtain better
glide ratio (around 9 points, according to the manufacturer)
and performance. Among its curious features it shows a
wide central chord and a control system that allows the
pilot to pull the centre of the canopy (“central
invagination”), modifying its span and shape to
optimise the performance.
According
to one of the Bionic’s designers, Olivier Caldara
(FR) the upward wingtips are not more sensitive than any
other in turbulences: “If a little collapse
occur, this collapse is upward directed and not downward
(it avoids what we call "cravatte" in French,
interaction with lining)”. The Bionic 2 can
perform any of the current paragliding manoeuvres, like
big ears, B stalls or 360s, and even Sats and helicopters.
Its creators claim that it can reach 62 k/h using the
central control, although sinking at –4,5 m/s, and
the minimum speed can be as slow as 18 k/h. The Bionic
2 will be available only in size 29, with a weight range
from 85 to 105 kg (total) and an estimated price of 3200
euros.
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More
info (in French): http://www.bio-air-technologies.com/ |
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