Mac Para EDEN 5 26

Mac Para EDEN 5 ! (The hidden Treasure ! )

The last gliders I flew from Mac Para were the Magus XC2 and the Marvel. Both were on the edge of performance in their category especially the climb rate!
Now Santa Claus brought to my hands this December new Eden 5 size 26(80-95), which I will fly at 91 all up weight and I am just taking some photos preparing myself for a long and amazing flight….

Launching this glider is as simple as it gets. The light materials in the leading edge do contribute to that easy forgiving launching.

In the air I felt immediately at ease and comfortable. The EDEN 5 inspires complete confidence in the air telling you to relax and enjoy your XC flight.

First turn into a thermal showed a light to medium brake travel with a very nice agility for the B category!
The Mac Para team has tuned the brake response and the agility of the glider in a high tech way! Meaning that ‘even’ a low end B pilot will get a forgiving brake travel, and the more experienced B pilot will sing and smile while turning with an efficient, agile, and beautiful turn radius. To combine those qualities in a single glider is something ‘very rare’ until now.

Turning in the air with another new B glider that has already a reputation for excellent climb rate, I found the EDEN 5 to be very close or even better sometimes! The leading edge doesn’t move much …It just enter the thermals and climb, and I could sense that by the beeping of the vario ! Just to tell you how the pitch movement is neutral. NO hanging back or pitching forward. And it is not a dull glider also. Just the necessary information’s.

I can confirm that the climb rate is on the ‘top’ of the category for the moment!

Trim speed at ‘91 all up’ on the 26 showed a 38.5 km/h. The accelerator at full bar will get you at 48.5 km/h at 1000 ASL. Next time I’ll fly it at 95…

This day was exceptional, with nice cloud base and long glides that enabled me to do some wing tip comparison with the best ‘B’ of the moment! That was tested recently on my blog.
Despite being just a bit slow on trim on the EDEN 5, I used the bar, which is light and easy to use, but short, to compensate the fully loaded other ‘B’ glider I am following, and to my surprise and after some several 8 km glides, I can see that the EDEN 5 was always very competitive! The glides were the same!

Pulling the accelerator at full bar in some turbulence showed a tough leading edge, without any nasty surprises.

The day has ended, and I was still flying that amazing and relaxing piece of art!

Big ears are stable and easy to use. A descent rate of -3m/s is showed with the accelerator. They open by themselves.

Conclusion:
With the EDEN 5, Mac Para has created their masterpiece in the B category.
Some B gliders that have a superb climb rate, and the EDEN 5 has the same .
Other B gliders that have excellent glide, and the EDEN 5 also has the same .
But to combine all those features in an easy, agile, and relaxing wing that could be also an entry to the B category is the real hidden force behind the EDEN 5.
The Mac logo ‘fly in peace’ should be printed on the EDEN 5 . Pilots who want to get an upgrade for their low end B’s will be nicely welcomed on board the high end EDEN 5!
Yes I talked too much …That’s because I found a hidden treasure!

Cheers,
Ziad.

NOVA Ion 2 XS LIGHT 70-90

NOVA Ion 2 XS  LIGHT  70-90

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NOVA Ion 2 Light XS 70-90

Two years ago, I test flew the Ion 1, a low end B glider which was in fact a very tamed glider intended for talented beginner pilots.

I heard that the light version of the new Ion 2 has something special, and I was keen to test fly it to discover that special glider…

The Ion 2 XS light has arrived, and after some long rainy days, I finally flew it for a 3-day free flight…

With the Genie Lite equipped with a light rescue and the 4.5 kg Ion 2 Light, a light breakfast ? and 88 all up .

Launching that glider is super easy...

In the air the Ion 2 XS light has a more ‘spicy’ feeling than the old ion 1. It is not as dampened as the Ion 1 was. The first contact with a thermal is felt by a little pitch back from the glider.
The brakes have a medium pressure like the M2 Small and are also surprisingly very direct ! This glider can be turned with precision and on the spot inside the thermal ! That’s a new characteristic never seen before on a low B glider !
An educated pilot will surely appreciate that superb handling feature !

The climb rate of the Ion 2 XS loaded at top is still good ! Of course it has to be steered gently and carefully to let the glider flat. Other wise the actual wing load of 88 under the XS will let this agile glider dive….But I like that turn feeling !

The biggest surprise is yet to come with the ION 2 (Light) glide angle !
At trim speed and in ‘calm air’ I can confirm that the Ion 2 light has a very close glide angle as the Mentor 2 S ! Unbelievable. But true.

At 40 % of the travel bar which has medium to light pressure, the Ion 2 XS retain its impressive glide angle for a low EN-B . At full travel the speed increases nicely but the glide deteriorates quickly compared to a mentor 2 S. But that’s more than enough for that type of gliders!

In head wind glides the high end EN-B Mentor 2 S has of course much better racing ability upwind.

Having only 2 A lines, the ears on this glider are big, stable and have a nice descent rate.

Conclusion: A talented low EN-B pilot who searches for a light wing will fall in love with the Ion 2 light for its excellent handling, superb performance, enough speed and overall safety margin in the low end EN-B category! 

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GRADIENT NEVADA

GRADIENT NEVADA

6 months ago I have tested the Aspen 4 .I still remember its ease of use and comfortable ride for a C glider.

Now came the NEVADA EN-B glider ,size 26 (85-100)

Launching:

With 5 km wind the glider need a steady pull as it doesn’t get above your head very fast.

In the air:

At first I was on the NEVADA 26 at 95 all up and my friend Moni flew the Mentor 2 S at 96 all up.

Immediately after take off I could feel the floating ability of the NEVADA ! The climb rate in thermals is nothing but perfect! This glider doesn’t pitch forward nor back, it just climbs!

Coring thermals with the NEVADA needs a long pilot input to begin its turn. I cannot say that it has a direct and precise brake travel, like the M 2 but its fairly ok.

This glider does compensate in its floating ability and climb rate in the thermals!

Flying in different conditions and knowing that the NEVADA is aimed at high-end B pilots, I could say that it is similar to the Blacklight in comfort.

Trim speed is around 39 km/h and top speed at 98 all up could match the M2 S at 95 all up + 1 km for the M 2 , with the same glide angle or very slightly better + 0.1 for the NEVADA !

Flying the NEVADA will give more chances of low saves and better floating ability on long glides.

Big ears are stable and an efficient descent method.

The speed system is fairly light.

Flying the NEVADA with my friend on the M2 and switching gliders afterward showed that even when I am used to my M2, I was always trying hard to catch the NEVADA as it floats easily and quickly upward.

To handle the NEVADA in rough air, I think it is better to be at top weight, and it won’t loose anything in its ‘brilliant’ climb rate.

Conclusion:

From the recent high-end ‘B’ gliders I flew, I can confirm that:

The NEVADA has the ‘best’ climb rate until now.

It has also ‘one’ of the best glide angle.

It’s comfortable enough for the high end ‘B’ pilot

I would have liked a shorter and more direct handling, but the whole performance/comfort /climb package the NEVADA offers is nothing but outstanding!

If you are one of those high-end ‘B’ pilot wanting to be near the ‘troposphere’  ;-) don’t let this glider slip away without having a test flight.

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Saint Hilaire (Coupe Icare)

Some videos and pictures from Saint Hilaire Cheers,
Ziad. 

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Some pictures :

https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/110040226962521480605/albums/5792447562543318481





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Tripple 7 Rook M & NOVA Mentor 2 S

EN-B and EN-C UPDATE

Dear all ,
I just updated the EN-C comparison inserting the VOLT (see further posts below) 


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Air Design VOLT SM

AD VOLT SM

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Air Design  VOLT

After flying the PURE and the RISE ,I was waiting for AD new C glider. And here it is The SM size 80-95 .

I flew the glider at 94 all up, as the VOLT has to be flown at top weight to be able to control it in all conditions. At 90 all up in strong conditions it kept telling me that she likes to be heavily loaded. I understood.

I flew the glider in different conditions from turbulent to weak. I can say that the VOLT is fairly comfortable for a regular ‘C’ glider. It is more comfortable than the C 4, and a bit less comfortable than the Delta.

When entering a thermal it slows a bit, doesn’t pitch back much. Sometimes when loosing the thermal it pitches a bit forward.

The VOLT has an overall average to good climb rate in the C category, much like the C 4 and the Delta.

I could describe the overall handling as average. The SM size flown at 94 showed a calm turn, and I could not say it is an agile glider .It needs a bit more time to be placed easily and quickly inside those small cores. Once it is inside it can core easily .It is definitely more agile than the PURE and easier to handle.

The trim speed at 94 all up is a bit less than 40 km/h. Accelerated at max,it is around 55 km/h.

Gliding next to a Passion SM loaded at 102 ‘in calm air’, showed similar glide ratio at trim.

At first bar the VOLT may have a slight advantage. At second bar the speed and glide are very close!

As everyone knows many manufacturers are putting some high aspect gliders in the ‘C’ category High aspect ratio gliders will eventually climb better and has a better floatability into wind transitions.

Gliding in moving head wind conditions I prefer to compare the VOLT to similar aspect ratio ‘C’ gliders like the Artik 3 25 and the Cayenne 4 S. The VOLT showed exactly similar glide as the Artik 3 at trim and a bit better than the C4 at second bar .

Big ears could be made with the outer ‘A’s or the outer ‘B’s. Descent rates are around -2.5 m/s with the speed bar.

Wing over’s could be largely built as the energy of the glider is clearly present.

Conclusion:

I wished it had a more aggressive bite and thermal entry rather than being slowed a bit. And also a more direct handling as I am a handling freak ;-)  .

But with its superb glide angle and overall behavior if loaded at top, the VOLT will lead many happy pilots to long XC flights as it sits well in the ‘C’ category.

Pilots coming to the ‘C’ category will need a very small time to adapt.

In that time of ‘C’s being targeted as ‘D’s and ‘D’s being certified as ‘C’s….The VOLT is a classic ‘C’ glider with the performance of today’s pilots requirements.

NIVIUK IP 6 23

NIVIUK IP 6

The very long waited IP6 23 came finally and I was able to fly it in variable conditions from weak to turbulent at 98 all up recommended by NIVIUK.

Launching:

If I want to compare it with the old ‘D’s, the IP6 is a bit difficult to launch it overall.

In flight:

Comparing this glider also to the old ‘D’s, Peak 2,M4, O8… ,the IP6 feels more dynamic and alive.

It feels like the glider has lots of energy.

The handling and ability to steer the glider in “moderate conditions” is outstanding. Very responsive, soft and linear brake travel enables its pilot to experience not less than perfection.

Flying all the new ‘C’s and old generation ‘D’s I could immediately feel that I am under something very different and special. A glider from outer space .The climb is twice better. I could float endlessly and the flying feels ‘light’, as it opens new doors to very long xc flights.

Gliding with the IP 6 is a memorable experience. It will illuminate the pilot to the fact that numbers on paper are pure illusion.

Encountering a light lift on long glides, the IP6 will inhale that lift and float endlessly to the horizon ;-)

In small turbulent cores and moving conditions, the IP 6 will remind its pilot that it’s a pure breaded horse very different from the old ‘D’ category. It has lots of energy that it will need some time to settle and controlled for the pilot to steer it into the core. The brakes became less powerful to adjust to the energy of the glider.

But in those nasty conditions the IP 6 never felt soft and I didn’t have any collapses or even felt that it will collapse. The structure felt very strong.

The accelerator is smooth and at first bar the wing speed increases significantly with practically no loss of gliding power! At second bar a speed over 63 could be reached easily.

Big ears are possible with the B3, but after applying half bar and reaching the lines at the highest possible. The pressure is high, and I wasn’t able to get less than -2m/s at ¾ of the bar. They reopen very quickly on release.

360’s are a delight, as the handling will enable the pilot to let the IP6 dive. Lots of power !

Conclusion:

Competition pilots will never mind all what’s written here. Their goal is to win and the IP 6 is already here to confirm that.

My conclusion is for C or D pilots who are thinking about getting themselves an upgrade.

I will be clear and fair. IMHO The IP 6 is the competition glider of the moment that will clearly win PWC events in the hands of those professional pilots who are searching for winning. That’s the main purpose behind its creation ….

Old ‘D’s are a big step behind in performance and overall ease of use.

I have sent the glider now and I am still thinking of that unimaginable piece of art! Those memorable moments under it…I felt that I was really “flying”

But since I am not into competitions with lots of responsibilities towards myself and others, and rather prefer a more relaxing and common wing for everyday use, I will wait to test fly that new NIVIUK peak 2 (replacement) and I am sure that the designer will have some more tricks under his sleeves ;-) .

 https://picasaweb.google.com/110040226962521480605/NIVIUKIP623