Developed by the R&D team of the German factory from the concept obtained with the Mistral 3 (DHV1-2), the Astral 4 (DHV2) has a "great balance among performance, agility and security" according to Swing.
They assure that it is a very stable glider even at full speedbar, "it has almost no tendency to shoot forward and can be precisely centered in thermals".
Its design features include cell construction from diagonal segments and a system of load-bearing tapes on the bottom surface to help the wing maintain its profile, offering "an ideal" distribution of the load. Thanks to this, the number of lines has also been reduced and distributed in only two levels to reduce drag and increase glide performance, offering a glide ratio “never seen in this category".
According to the manufacturer, the Astral 4 will specially appeal “pilots who enjoy flying a dynamic glider, but at the same time place importance on relaxed flying. The glider is suitable for experienced social pilots and also for ambitious cross-country pilots”.
The Astral 4 has 57 cells, an aspect ratio of 5.55, and it’s available in 4 sizes to cover weights from 55 to 125 kg.
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+Info: www.swing.de

The new intermediate wing from APCO (DHV 1-2) is a step “back to the roots” with the original “Apco feel”.
Its design took 2 years of R&D and introduces a new planform and profile that help provide “excellent handling” and “top performance for its class”.
“Performance boundaries are pushed further; handling is even sweeter, safety more reassuring. Ground handling and launch easier than ever”, say at Apco.
Design features of the Salsa include diagonal rib structure, ‘Hi-tech’ elliptical planform, HIT (High-Speed Intake) valves on the leading edge –said to increase the internal pressure of the wing during accelerated flight, to improve safety and performance-; pocket for optional FLEXON batten on the cell openings “to keep launch trouble-free even after years of use”; and APCO’s traditional cloth and lines (siliconised double coated Gelvenor cloth for top and bottom surface + Cousin SuperAramid lines), although the overall weight of the glider has been “sharply” reduced.
The Salsa comes in 4 new color schemes, and sizes from XS to L.

+Info: www.apcoaviation.com

The new intermediate glider from the Swiss factory has been announced as a glider with a performance similar to its 'big brother' Omega 6, with a very precise handling and still offering a high passive safety. The bigger sizes have just passed DHV tests and production has started, although the smallest size will have to wait a little.
According to Advance, the Sigma 6 has the real “SIGMA handling: quick response and gentle pressure in the brakes, very high precision, good pitch absorption, good trim speed and easy to use speedsystem, and an incredible performance”.
It has an aspect ratio of 5,5 and the line layout has been optimized to reduce the total length, with the now traditional 3 As, 3 Bs, 3 Cs+Stab and 2 Ds, but with shorter 1st and 2nd levels.
It is intended for cross country/experienced pilots looking for performance and quality of construction. The Advance crew is really happy with this new model, in which design the new house designer Thomas Ripplinger has had the leading role.
The new Sigma comes in 4 new color schemes. It will be available by the end of December in 4 sizes and at a price “very similar to the Sigma 5’s”.

+Info: www.advance.ch

Nova has just finished the development of their intermediate-performance model to replace the successful Aeron in category DHV2, the Tattoo, designed considering the feedback got from the pilots to improve ‘weak’ points. Thus, one of the goals was to make the handling easier and more comfortable, with less brake pressure and better reaction with smaller brake inputs. “The TATTOO has nearly all different compared to the Aeron: more wing curve, a less fragile wingtip, longer lines, new airfoils, and much different sail tensions” says Nova’s boss Hannes Papesh. The in-flight characteristics of the Tattoo, according to Nova, are: a light brake pressure but with still good feedback; only little input required for the glider to react but with long enough brake travel; agile in turns and very dynamic, although thermalling performance in weak lift is “the best” in this class; and a high safety potential. “It collapses quite smooth and gives the pilot enough time to react. It doesn't have any tendencies for line tangles and is quite easy to control in even extreme manoeuvres” say at Nova. All that topped by improved performance and stability, thanks to a new airfoil and a speedsystem that changes the airfoil’s shape and characteristic: In normal speed the airfoil is formed to offer the best possible thermalling abilities, and when accelerated the airfoil's shape is optimized for speed and pitch stability. The Tattoo is aimed at intermediate / experienced pilots offering a security level at the middle of the DHV2 category, so it can be suitable for a wide range of pilots. It’s currently in certification process.

The new Freex, with former Firebird crew formed by Dani Loritz in design and Kevin Payne in management, are introducing a new range of gliders with this intermediate DHV2 Arcane as their first bet.
The Arcane is intended as a more versatile glider than Loritz’s last model for this category, the Hornet SP (designed with serial competition in mind) and “a next step”, thus it has improved passive security and stability while still offering good performance in this competitive class.
In words of Kev Payne, it’s an all rounder, “a glider that can sat, a glider that could go XC, a glider that was the right wing for the pilot for their reasons, not ours”.
The Arcane has an optimized handling, associated to a more consistent and progressive brake pressure. The leading edge has round cell openings that “guarantee” a balanced tension ratio between upper and lower surface. At Freex claim that the Arcane is “incredibly stable” and has “optimal safety” thanks to the new design profiles used, and performance wise is also optimal compared to their competition, “even in turbulent conditions”. The Arcane has 57 cells, an aspect ratio of 5,73, trim speed of 36 k/h and max. speed of 52k/h. It’s available in sizes S to XL featuring the new Freex colors scheme.

+Info: www.freex.com

The first paraglider released by the renewed Firebird (now settled in Switzerland) is an intermediate model to compete in the wide category DHV 1-2, the Spider. This glider has been designed as a “performance wing” for pilots looking for a second glider and, therefore, with a wide access level thanks to its ease of use and high level of passive security.
The Spider has 49 cells and an aspect ratio of 5,57. It is constructed in Porcher Marine 9017 Rip Stop (outer sail) and E77A water-repellent 40 gr/m², with Aramide lines. It should be very easy to spot in the air thanks to the new colors scheme introduced by the factory.
The designer is Swiss Alexander Paux, also responsible for the latest models of Sky Paragliders, who is also behind the rest of the new Firebird paraglider range that includes a DHV1 model called UNO, a DHV2 glider called Eagle and a new tandem glider in category DHV 1-2.
The brand expects to complete the certification of the Spider in its 3 sizes very soon.

+Info: www.flyfirebird.com

This is the new paraglider designed for paramotoring from Apco, certified Afnor/CEN Standard both for freeflight and paramotor use.
The factory worked closely with a team of professional paramotor pilots to achieve the qualities they appreciate in powered paragliding, like “spotless launch”, easy ground handling even in very light wind, smooth acceleration under power and easy landings.
The design of the Thrust incorporates Apco’s HIT valves on the leading edge “to make accelerated flight smooth and safe”; diagonal rib structure; double coated siliconised cloth; eliptical planform; “heavy duty” Technora lines, and split A riser.
The Thrust can be ordered with standard paragliding risers or universal paramotor risers, with accelerator and trimmers, featuring 2 different levels of hook-in points that enable the Thrust to be fitted to any frame. It is available in 3 sizes (M-XL) covering a weight range of 85 to 180 kg, total weight including the motor, and a very large choice of color schemes.

+Info: www.apcoaviation.com

This is the new school and beginner’s glider from the German factory to replace the Pulse, already certified DHV 1.
With the Kuna, the designers focused on the safety aspects related to its category, keeping a “nice and smooth” handling, “surprising for a DHV 1 glider”, with a long brake travel and progressive pressure.
According to UP, it's a very easy to use glider, with an easy and forgiving behaviour, although still gives enough feedback to the pilot to be a fun and safe glider.
It has only 33 cells and an aspect ratio of 4,6 and offers a trimspeed of 35 k/h and a maximum speed of 46 k/h. At UP also say that the new outline makes the Kuna “very well looking”.

+Info: www.up-europe.com

This new beginner’s model has already been certified DHV 1 in its 5 sizes, including a 19m2 XXS size for very young or light pilots.
The Primax is based on its big brother Syntax (DHV1-2) with a more dampened behaviour and safer for the pilot. According to the manufacturer, the Primax has more brake travel and softer reactions in all manoeuvres. “And the best of all: it's real funny to fly! Even having long brake travel, the wing reacts quite direct to brake inputs. Wingovers are easy, the performance and handling in thermals are great” say at Nova. The designers also did a thorough test to the materials of this new glider by washing a PRIMAX for hours in a big US army washing machine.
“As expected: the famous Gelvenor cloth was undestroyable!”
Nova assures it’s an easy to use glider that doesn't spiral at more than 15m/sec without special input, and the exit is quick with “perfect” roll dumping. Collapses are also “very soft”, with fast but smooth reopening.
“Very little turning, very little surging”.

+Info: www.nova-wings.com