TEST VIBE - OZONE Pilot: Daniel Crespo Valdéz Published in Parapente Vuelo Libre magazine (Spain)
Piloting Test
Inflation occurs progressively, as it is in general all the pilot control for this glider. Brake travel seems gradual and effective, with only one hard point by the end. The glider quickly brings good pressure, and its solid appearance from below is comforting. It does not lose pressure, neither it swings. Launching in zero-wind, the canopy comes up right away (it has some generous cell-openings), symmetric and easily. In stronger winds its reactions are still obedient and it becomes very intuitive to control it, even if you are not very experienced. Once airborne, its pressure seems very regular and the Vibe glides efficiently even in turbulent air.
Pilot control and security The big challenge for paragliders in the increasingly popular DHV 1- 2 category is to stand out in pilot control and in-flight comfort. In this sense, the Vibe is well-rounded; its braking is gradual, and the glider response comes agile. In a normal flight (gentle turns) it demands only a slight effort; with a brake pressure of a couple of kgs. we will find the best sink rate. In thermals, we need to use body shift and a 4-kg. braking effort in the inner side; the outer side requires almost no extra-brake. This way we can climb up well in a thermal whilst keeping a good reserve of speed. Stall point is found with more than 60 cm brake travel, and 8 kgs of effort are required on the breaks at the last segment. Then, the glider loses pressure and you clearly realize how it stops flying at a speed of 22 km/h.
Big ears are easy to make and the glider reopens with no intervention from the pilot. With the big ears in it is easy to control by body shifting. When provoking asymmetric collapses (no counter steering) the glider starts a turn but recovers its normal flight in less than a 360º; the feeling is not intimidating at all. Dynamic piloting can be a lot of fun, since the glider easily returns the energy of the turns to sudden changes of sense. This let us obtain good wingovers, asymmetric spins and 360ºs. At the exit of these manoeuvres the glider pitches smoothly.
Termal Flight Thermalling in a Vibe is pleasant. The turn has no tricks and response can be felt direct and progressively in the brakes. This agility, together with the great pressure of the glider and a coherent DHV 1-2 stability, makes the job of centring a nucleus easy enough for beginners. Even the speed limit of 50 km/h is usable, although you should not expect the most efficient glide, and when doing transitions the Vibe sails solidly with half speed bar on, being little affected by turbulence.
Simplicity and effectiveness The line layout is doubtlessly simple and incorporates a new feature -used for the first time in this model- called "B2 tabs" and developed by Rob Whittall. Each of the 4 lines of the risers (5, in the B) has only 2 cascades, which are divided very near the glider -at about 60 cm from the cloth- in a kind of pyramid comprised of 6 lines (3, in the A). This system is intended to avoid the risk of cravats, but they have also accomplished to define the profile using 3 risers and to significantly reduce the total amount of lines, which probably affects the overall performance. The glider has 44 open cells and only 3 closed ones in each stabile. Diagonal ribs alternate with straight ones, the profile is thick, and the final result is a faultless canopy, with no wrinkles or frowns.
With hands up we reach 37 km/h for a splendid glide of 8,2 -a number that places the Vibe in the leading group of beginner-class or easy middle-class paragliders.
The speed system is a bit long and we will need a double-bar system if we want to access the full range of speed; with the bar pushed halfway we reached 45 km/h, and with full speed bar, 50 km/h.
A detail of weight Six DHV 1-2 certified sizes that go from 55 to 135 kg reveal the great interest of Ozone in this category. With the Vibe it is possible to choose a size that really fits in the weight and preferences of each pilot.
Paramotor: Inflation is good, it almost never passes forward the pilot and it is agile enough. Launching from a flat field was really easy (using or not the motor), the wing centres itself over the pilot's head and keeps good pressure. With only a slight touch on the brakes and thanks to its good sinking rate, take-off is quick and clean. The speed range is very usable due to the glider's stability. Summing all up, it is a very proper wing for paramotoring.
And, for who else? The Vibe more than meets all the security requirements of its homologation, but it also has good performance and fun piloting, which turns it into a valid option for more experienced pilots who want to have a high security in flight without giving up a good handling. The easy control of the Vibe makes it very accessible as a first glider. However, it does transmit the air's movement (ok, it sways) so some beginner pilots -specially those who were not so skilled during the first stages of the learning process- will probably feel better in a more damped glider, even though they would have to sacrifice some handling.
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