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Omega 6 (DHV2-3), 25, 27, 29
-Swing Mistral 3 (DHV1-2), 30
-Airwave Sport 2 (DHV1-2), L
-Paratech P80 (DHV2), SM, ML, L
-Icaro Cyber 2 (DHV1), L
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Our news section, updated periodically to keep you informed.
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Gradient
BiGolden
Performance and ease of use are the main virtues
of the new tandem glider from Gradient, based in their successful
DHV 1-2 model, Golden. Compared to the solo, the Bi-Golden
offers slightly better performance and speed, keeping its
safety characteristics. Construction features include partial
V-rib technology and internal stitching, split A-risers for
big-ears, and risers with trimmers. According to the Czech
manufacturer, the Bi-Golden offers easy inflation and ground
handling, low brake pressure, “excellent” take-off
behaviour, comfortable handling and climb rate, “extremely
good” passive safety, a wide speed range and good flare
for easy landings. “The BiGolden is especially well
suited for cross-country flying” say at Gradient.
We had the chance to demo one at Castejon de Sos where we
found no problem thermalling and gliding with more advanced
solo gliders, in a 78 km task. It’s a live wing that
gives good feedback while still being very stable. It’s
available in 2 sizes, 34 and 42.
+Info: www.gradient.cx
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Advance
Omega 6
Before the official release of the new Omega, the protos had
already won competitions and broke an alpine record in the
hands of factory pilot Chrigel Maurer (320km). The new perfo
model from the Swiss factory has so shown its “XC Spirit”.
According to Advance, the Omega 6 offers easy take-off behavior,
a “highly developed steering precision in combination
with perfect brake pressure”, a high passive security
level, a very flat polar, and “optimal” performance
in thermal flying. It has an aspect ratio of 6 points, trim
speed of 39k/h, and maximum speed goes up to 55k/h, according
to the factory. “The typical Omega 6 pilot is a
performance oriented frequent flyer that has a cross-country
background”, say at Advance. The new Omega comes
in an attractive color scheme, and it’s available in
3 sizes.
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+Info:
www.advance-gliders.ch
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Independence
Excalibur
The new perfo glider from the independent factory has been
recently certified DHV 2-3 and will replace the Radical. Its
design has been oriented to provide the highest performance
but offering a good natured behaviour in flight, together
with a light and defined handling.
The design of the Excalibur has optimized the performance
from the Radical and also its acrobatic abilities. “Anyone
who has turned the Excalibur into a dynamic SAT knows exactly
what we are talking about!” claim at Independence.
The glider, named after King Arthur's sword “because
of its sublime and majestic shape when crossing the sky”,
has a maximum speed of 58k/h, an aspect ratio of 6,03, and
it’s available in 3 sizes.
+Info:
www.independence-world.com
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XIX
Form 3
The
new DHV 2 glider from XIX is a performance-oriented model
that offers good levels of passive safety, a good overall
feel, and “unbelievable” launch behaviour and
handling, according to the manufaturer.
It has an aspect ratio of 5,7, trim speed of 36 k/h and maximum
speed of 55 k/h.
The Form 3 has been constructed in Toray Nylon 6,6 fabric
that offers good resistance to porosity “after years
of intensive use”. XIX offer a 3 years/300 hours
warranty for all their gliders.
+Info:
http://www.xix.ch
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SKY
Metis
Following
the renewal of their corporate image and gliders’ color
design, the Czech factory is now introducing a new tandem
glider for their range, the Metis, which will replace the
Golem. The Metis has been certified Afnor Biplace and its
designers claim it has a very easy take off even in no wind
or slight tail wind conditions, “generating immediate
lift”. Other features include easy handling and light
brake pressure, especially for professional tandem pilots;
and a good landing behaviour “with enough flair to compensate
all small misused brakes of the pilot”, according to
Sky. For the outer surface, the factory used New Skytex 9017
cloth with E77A coating, water repellant and resistant to
abrasion and UV rays; and the same cloth with E38A coating
for the inner sail. The lines are Edelrid (different diameters).
The Metis has a weight range of 140 to 210 kg, 56 cells, an
aspect ratio of 5.1, and a trim speed of 38 k/h or 45 k/h
with trimmers open. Each glider features the new distinctive
color scheme of Sky, and is delivered with the new Porter
bag and a "Sky Team" T-shirt.
Info:
www.skyparagliders.cz
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| Wintech
Tempus
The Tempus is the
new model to replace both the Tonic and the Coral as a first
glider in the Windtech’s range, and it’s currently
completing the certification process for its 4 sizes. The brand’s
designers say it is a glider with a “perfect” inflation,
suitable for training and progression. “It is so forgiving
that the Tempus always comes up impeccably, straight above the
pilot's head, even when the pilot's preparation is incorrect.
Performance-wise the Tempus is also one step ahead on the Tonic,
even though the construction has neither V-ribs nor a larger
number of cells. Simplicity is the key”, say at Windtech.
The new model has a completely new profile, thicker near the
leading edge, towards the cell openings, while in the second
half and toward the trailing edge, the profile is thinner “with
an important reflex at the trailing edge” for self-stabilisation.
The result is a more solid wing that does not surge forward
in turbulence or collapses, with a handling very similar to
the Tonic’s – “quick, precise and, on
the physical aspect, just as light as it was before”
according to the Spanish factory.
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Windtech
Tactic
The new racing machine from Windtech,
the "Tactic", is already fighting some competitions
around the globe. According to Jose Ramon Sáiz,
competition pilot and member of the design team at the
Spanish factory, the Tactic shows many changes in relation
to its predecessor, the Nitro. In the Tactic the profiles
are thicker near the tips, helping the glider offer
more stability in turbulences and have a better sink
rate in turns. Another important change in the new comp
glider is a behavior a bit less lively than the Nitro.
The Tactic is smoother in its reactions and you specially
notice this in the changes of turn -that you have to
work up and draw up the trajectory well. Joserra says
"to win a paragliding competition you must
be able to stay accelerated to the maximum possible;
there’s no point in having a fast glider if you
can’t keep it fast. With the Tactic we have achieved
a very stable glider even when you cross the thermals".
The color scheme follows the characteristic style of
the brand with a renewed chromatic range.
*In the image of the profile (bottom)
we can see the differences between the wingtip of the
Nitro (in white) and the Tactic's (in green-red) with
more thickness
and chord.
+Info:
www.windtech.es
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GIN
Zoom
The much expected DHV 2 model from Gin has finally arrived.
The development of the Zoom took the Korean factory more than
a year of work and testing, both in the factory and in different
sites with good XC potential, like Texas, Mongolia, Switzerland,
France, etc. “The objective for Gin was to create a new
high performance wing able to swallow kilometres quickly, safely
and easily” say the designers, who claim that the Zoom
is a “real” XC wing, with competition performance.
Its features include easy inflation in all conditions, being
“simple to manage during take off”; an easy-to-understand
“feel” of the glider in thermal flight and a natural
way to combine weightshift and brakes for the best efficiency,
according to Gin. The 4 sizes (XS to L) have been certified
DHV 2.
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Info:
www.gingliders.com
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SOL
Ellus
The Brazilian manufacturer Sol has decided to compete with all
the PG brands in the international market and thus the factory
has been recently certified by the DHV. Now, their gliders will
undergo the German certification as well, and the first model
submitted for testing is the Ellus, their DHV 1-2 glider. Intended
for beginners and leisure pilots, it’s a “new step
in the SOL evolution” and it offers wide possibilities
to progress from the first thermal flights to big XC. The Ellus
was tested during last year’s record expedition “Nordeste
2003” with good results, making flights of more than 100
km and one of 177 km. The development of the glider was oriented
towards a “high passive safety left the pilot concentrating
on the flight. Beginner, Intermediate and experienced pilots
will feel good flying ELLUS” according to Sol’s
designers.
Flight characteristics include easy inflation and ground handling,
long and tolerating brake length, precise handling, low stall
speed, high internal pressure, light reactions in extreme conditions
and good passive safety, and high stability in full speed (according
to the manufacturer). Sol guarantees all their gliders for 3
years or 300 hours. |
Photo:
Sol Gliders
More
info: www.solsports.com.br |
UP
Sherpa 2
The new tandem glider from UP is a brand new design that “has
only its name in common with the predecessor, the Sherpa”,
according to the factory. They say it’s a glider equally
suited for daily professional use and for the performance-oriented
hobby pilot “wanting to double his fun in the air”.
Features include light weight, small packing, easy launching,
and good flare “to a complete stop”, making each
landing “a pleasure for both pilot and passenger”.
The handling is light and well coordinated and the glider is
stable at all speeds, providing good safety margins “to
the comfort of all involved”. The Sherpa comes equipped
with trimmers and covers a weight range of 130-220kgs. It’s
been DHV certified. +info:
www.up-europe.com
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Photo:
Para2000.org |
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