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In
2002 we had the opportunity to know the Czech manufacturer Sky Paragliders
when we tested their DHV2 glider, the Brontes (see Brontes
review).
Back then, the name Sky was quite new in Europe and almost unknown
in Spain, and we were curious to see their evolution. At present,
Sky seems to have gain respect in the paraglider world by offering
quality products, well balanced and fun to fly. Furthermore, the
Sky factory builds gliders and harnesses for a number of other well-known
names of the industry, which tells something about their know-how.
At
that time, I could also fly the first Atis and -in general-
my impressions were positive: a glider easy to fly, with nice
handling, fun to turn, with a high safety level and good performance
in its class. The only point I found to be improvable was the
aesthetic part, since the colour scheme looked quite austere
to me, with very simple or nonexistent visual design. This
has changed significantly since 2005, when Sky Paragliders
renewed their image paying special attention to the gliders
appearance. Sky gliders are now distinguishable by their design
in three colors with a big "s" on
the outer sail that, doubtlessly, has helped improve the brand's
image.
At
Sky Paragliders say that the Atis 2 is
a new generation of paraglider, totally new in its design that
benefits from all the experience of the manufacturer throughout
these years, and offering several arguments to fight for a good
place in the market: "Stability,
comfortable handling, good qualities for thermal flying, good performance
and predictable reactions".
Appearance
and finishes
As
we said, the Atis 2 benefits from the new image of the house:
attractive and dynamic; but also its design and construction are
impeccable: the materials chosen, seams, reinforcements and parts
(see materials below) are all flawless. The Atis 2 comes with soft
brake handles equipped with magnetic clips; the bands are narrow
(20mm) and flexible. The "A" and the "B" are
well differentiated and the "A" has a special big ears
system: a stripe connected to the line (with a pulley
in it), and fixed to the riser with velcro.
The leading
edge is well defined and has mylar reinforcements between the ribs.
On the trailing edge there's a system of rings that help pull the
tips when we use the brakes for more precise turns and improved handling.
The
glider also has a velcro opening on the trailing edge of the wingtips
to clean them from debris.
Flying
qualities
In
flight the glider is smooth but it responds well to brake input.
Its natural tendency is to keep the level flight; in fact, you
notice a special stability in pitching. The Atis 2 is docile
and offers a high stability even during thermal flights.
This glider behaves well in turbulence and it is reassuring
for the pilot. Nevertheless, its character has not been dampened
and, on the contrary, it has a comfortable agility that allows
the pilot to explore the limits of pendular flight with good
margins of safety.
Handling
and brilliant turn behaviour The
brake has a useful travel of +/- 25cm offering gentle pressure.
With only 3 to 4 kg of effort we will be able to cover the conventional
piloting from the simplest traffic, all through dynamic flight and
even thermal climbs. The Atis 2 reactions are fluid and turns are
coordinated. I particularly liked the fluidity of the Atis 2; I found
it very easy to feel at home with the wing and to chain all kind
of turns, wingovers, 360s and turn inversions, with total precision
and a sense of full control over everything going on at any moment.
During the flights I did with the Atis 2 I never noticed in it any
tendency to go out of its flying envelope, and my impression is that
it is an accessible paraglider that will allow the less experienced
pilots to enjoy "catching" the most unsuspected lift.
Performance & Speeds
I
found the best glide –around 8,4- at between 33-35 km/h. Trim
speed is around 37 k/h. The best sink rate, +/- 1,15 m/s, is
achieved when using a bit of brake (around 28 km/h). It is an
efficient glider for effortlessly making the best out of weak
lift…
The speed system has 15 cm. of travel; it is simple and, overall, usable. Stepping
on it to full bar the Atis 2 glides finely and offers a maintained speed at sea
level of +48km/h. There's a sense of great stability and solidity in the wing.
The sink rate increases, as expected, but it is a useful speed if we are caught
by wind.
The minimum speed is around 22 Km/h and you need more than 65cm of brake travel
with 8 kg of effort on the brakes to find it*, which shows that the brake pressure
is not really high.
*Attention, pilots coming from gliders with heavy brakes!
Security
The
Atis 2 is one of the first gliders to be certified under the
new European standard EN (originally known as "CEN" and
which replaced the Afnor/Acpul) in class B, equivalent approximately
to a glider of the DHV 1-2 level. As we mentioned, the Atis 2
is well dampened in pitch, and it is a stable glider of predictable
reactions. Collapses usually reopen immediately and the glider
has a well-natured tendency to go back to normal flying quickly.
You can read the certification tests on the website of the EN certification centre
in Switzerland: www.cen.li
C
o n c l u s i o n s
All in all, a well resolved glider, easy to fly and friendly in its reactions,
which excels for its fluid turns and smooth handling. The Atis 2 captivated
me; thermalling with it was a fun and relaxing experience. But without a doubt
what I liked the most was to play 'freestyle', linking turns and doing waggas.
It is not a first (out-of-school) glider, but many sensitive pilots starting
in the sport will find in this Atis a good partner for evolving at ease and
with security, always keeping in mind that this glider can really turn and that
it has a moderate brake pressure – those with a record of over-control situations
should refrain until they are more experienced. I believe that it could even
be a good glider to begin in light acro. Intermediate pilots and even experts
might be surprised by the Atis 2, and they'll surely enjoy its qualities...
Test
pilot: Daniel Crespo / Ojovolador.com |
Technical
data
| ATIS
2 |
S |
M |
L |
XL
|
| Layout
surface (m2) |
23,11 |
25,00 |
26,65 |
28,83
|
| Layout span (m) |
10,86 |
11,29 |
11,66 |
12,12
|
| Layout aspect ratio |
5,10 |
5,10 |
5,10 |
5,10
|
| Projected
surface (m2) |
20,69 |
22,38 |
23,86 |
25,80
|
| Projected span (m) |
9,10 |
9,47 |
9,77 |
10,16
|
| Projected aspect ratio |
4,00 |
4,00 |
4,00 |
4,00
|
| Number of cells |
53 |
53 |
53 |
53
|
| Weight of the glider (kg) |
5,0 |
5,2 |
5,4 |
5,7
|
| Take-off load (kg) |
60-80 |
75-95 |
87-110 |
105-130
|
| Trim speed (km/h) |
37 |
37 |
37 |
37
|
| Minimum speed (km/h) |
23 |
23 |
23 |
23
|
| Maximum speed (km/h) |
48 |
48 |
48 |
48
|
| Max. gliding ratio |
8,5 |
8,5 |
8,5 |
8,5
|
| Min. sink rate (m/s) |
1,15 |
1,15 |
1,15 |
1,15
|
| Certification |
EN
B |
EN
B |
EN
B |
EN
B |
| Colour
schemes: |
Blue
Mars
 |
Blue
Moon
 |
Blue
Sunsky
 |
Red
Moon
 |
*Other
technical articles, reviews, interviews, etc., in our READ!
section
|
At
Ojovolador we had the chance to fully test the Atis 2, both
in free flight during some beautiful days in the Island of
La Palma (Canary) and with Paramotor in our home site Lanzahita
(Ávila, Spain). All in all, several flight hours
in a variety of conditions, from strong thermals to smooth
soaring, or nice Paramotor rides in total stability and some
winter thermals. Here, our impressions on this glider certified
EN-B, equivalent to DHV 1-2.
Inflation
and Takeoff
The
Atis 2 inflates as a whole, it raises smoothly with no tendency
to move forwards. It has no mystery: it is very easy to start.
Once over the head it seems to wait there for your next move;
it does not fall back nor overshoot, but you feel the lift so
the takeoff is simple even in no wind.
The
Atis 2 inflates in one piece and immediately gains internal pressure
The
homogenous turn of the Atis 2 will allow you to progress in
dynamic piloting. Its main qualities ares the fluidity when
you chain turns and the stability in the pitch axis.
Paramotor.
The Atis 2 is surprisingly fun to fly under power; the inflation is easy and
thanks to that it is a versatile glider suitable even for beginners both in
free-flight and Paramotor (see ‘conclusions' above). It has a neutral in-flight
behaviour and offers good qualities in turns. The good sink rate of the Atis
2 means that consumption is low and makes it a good option if your Paramotor
is not very powerful. On the other hand, it lacks trimmers which make the speed
under power a bit limited. |
| The
+: good flowing turns
The -:
Light brakes for novice pilots... |
+Info:
www.sky-cz.com
|
