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Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Mantra 4 MS @ 93 all up

I have an MS available now @ 93 all up ,and it seems that it resembles the ML @ 102 .It has the same feeling in the air .It is a bit floaty and efficient in weak thermals as the glider always continue to bite in the thermal (nice feeling) .The handling is the same as the ML. I was hoping for more dynamic response,but it felt exactly as the ML ,may be just a very slight increase in brake pressure and same reactions to maneuvers.
The ears are quite usable ,because you could loose some heights,and if the accelerator (also soft and smooth) is induced ,the rate efficiency is improved,with also stable ears.

360's are easy to start and i found a stable spiral and efficient descent rate without being too much centrifuged.

In "some" + 4m/s turbulent thermals,i found that it needed just a bit to settle ,just before i could steer it wherever i want inside the core.Some gliders would accept even when i lean on the harness to began to change their course .May be also the M4 would be better with a more roll responsive harness,as i have swamped the Impress2 with another old lower attachment points,and found that the handling improved a lot. (have to try)

I did shortened the brake lengths of the ML and the MS by (- 2 to 3 cm) and it was better in a coordinated turn.

The stall point is reachable "far" in the brake lengths, just below the hips, but could be heard in finesse just before it goes into a spin.

Have to be from 90 to 95 all up to benefit and extract its performance and feeling.

Landing is easy as you can slow it down a bit ,just like the O 8 25 ,may be +1 km/h in stall speed,but could be landed in a narrow place after a bit of training.

Overall i liked the MS, (personal taste) preferred a more sharp and direct brake response,but its glide ratio , easiness ,and comfort in flight ,largely filled the EN-D pilot requirements menu :-)

4 comments:

Eduardo said...

Nice review Ziad! Thanks again!
When u say you say a "sharp and direct brake" u meant something like the Omega 8 or the Poison 3?
I got the opportunity to fly the Poison this weekend, liked a lot the wing behavior and the easiness of the wing, it turns very flat but you can still turn very tight. But i'm used with my old Mantra M3 soft and long brake, and felt a little uncomfortable in the beginning, was like the stall is always near, a sensation that resembled me my old Boomerang 5, but after a few minutes and some experimentation i see that i can use a lot of brake without problem, but it wasn't really necessary as the wing go wherever i want with little brake input even in the small broken cores. A nice wing for sure!
Anyway i already have ordered my M4 (MS size) some days ago and i'm waiting the delivery in the next month.
This experience with the Poison 3 was very helpful to see how i can compare what i felt with your review and get a more accurate expectation of the M4. I'm waiting for more M4 videos!!
Another thing, is in your plans to review the Sol Torck 2 in the near future?

One more time thanks for your work! Very nice!
Cheers,
Eduardo P de Sousa
Caraguatatuba-Brazil

Ziad Bassil said...

Hi Eduardo,
Thank you... :-)
As for the sharp and direct brake control,the O 8 could be very nice as you can bank it whenever you want.The Poison 3 is just a little less maneuverable than the O8,more dampened,but still very forgiving and steerable.
The M 4 MS ,needs a bit more time to react at the beginning of the turn.Once inside it is easy to core.Its performance into wind is noticeably better .
Difficult to find a SOL Torck 2 near...
Wish you nice flights,
Ziad.

Unknown said...

Hi Ziad, thanks for all your reviews. I've flown some of the EN D's (small GTO and Omega 8 25) you have tested and have been in total agreement with your comments. I'm not in the Market for a new wing at the moment but if you were buying an EN D at the moment which one would it be?
Thanks
Martin Dockerill

Ziad Bassil said...

Hi Martin,
It depend on every one preferences.I could choose the O8 because i prefer handling. The M 4 is amazing with its performance.It is difficult to choose knowing that there will always be new interesting ones coming...PURE... TRITON 2...
Cheers,
Ziad.