NIVIUK ARTIC 3

NIVIUK Artic 3
 

One of my favorite gliders at the time was the Artic 2,which I flew for a year .I appreciated its efficiency in the air and it’s beautiful handling. I was waiting for the Artic 3 to see what the designer has been cooking. And finally it arrived!

The glider has no Mylar like on the Artic 2. Instead light panels with plastic reinforcements on the edge of the cell like all the new generation gliders.

Take off is easy, as it rises smoothly above your head.

Immediately after take off, the Artic 3 shows a high trim speed, around 40 km/h, with a certain sense of security.
After some glide tests with some modern EN-C’s I can put the Artic 3 at the “TOP” of the EN-C gliders I have tested until this day, no question about it, especially at first bar.
The Artic 3 is a fast glider at second bar with a very competitive glide! And it seems to have also the fastest top speed.

Precise, linear, short, medium to hard brake pressure, reacts on weight shift and exceptionally beautiful, is what I can describe the handling of the Artic 3.
It has the tendency to turn flat and efficient. Lowering the brakes for a quick turn, the Artic 3 responds beautifully and when released, the glider quickly leveled to stay flat.

Even loaded at max on the 25, the Artic 3 will help you make low saves without loosing that weak thermal, by its ability to search forward without excessive pitch and roll, and that quality enable the Artic 3 to float better.

Big ears are made with the B3 lines, and they look funny, and applying the bar can achieve -3.5 m/s.

Conclusion: NIVIUK made an excellent job by creating a superb, very performing and balanced glider in the EN-C category .I think I am going to keep that one…

 

https://picasaweb.google.com/110040226962521480605/NIVIUKArtic3
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AIRCROSS U-Cross

Air Cross “U-Cross”

Unpacking the black and green glider on the take off is a scene to watch.

Magnificent work is done on the canopy with strings,ribs,cells,openings …a complicated work looking like an inside of a Swiss watch !

A true workmanship…

I thought I was going to the moon inside the NASA space shuttle ;-)

Regular lines are installed on the lower part and unsheathed on top.

Taking off with no wind would imply a steady pull with no releasing until it’s overhead, like its older brother the U-sport.

First thermal, and a medium brake pressure much like the NOVA Factor 2, which I thought i would never find a more agile glider, because it wouldn’t be usable! But I did.

The U-Cross has even more agility than the Factor 2 !!

Flying the U-Cross “efficiently” in thermals would require a refined skill in touching the brakes, as it is important to keep the powerful glider overhead for better coring!

The designer made such a superb work inside the canopy leading to a very pressurized and powerful

glider. And this will undoubtedly ensure that you won’t get a blow out easily if the glider stays over your head.

I could describe the U-Cross inside the EN-C Cat, where the OZONE Delta feels like a happy long haired cool dude with his pants lower than usual, with bent knees, hang loose mode in a “Rasta man”  way ;-)  !

The U-Cross feels more like an energetic 20 year old with big muscles, just popping out the gym, nose up, with a Red Bull drink in his hand, looking right and left in a fraction of a second and walking with his feet nearly touching the ground, just like a spring no matter if there’s no one to watch ;-) !

Going on a series of 360’s on the U-Cross has to be done surely before eating ;-)

And after some steep turns, it is ok to open your mouth in a rectangular shape and shout to your “Mamma”  :-)

The Guys who love that feeling will surely exchange their bed pillow with the U-Cross ;-)

Loaded at 95 on the S size, the climb rate in weak conditions is average.

The performance is inside the EN-C Cat much like the UP XC2 or the GIN tribe M ,or the DELTA M, with a faster trim speed.

Meeting the EN-C certification puts the U-Cross in a short speed travel that will enable it when fully deployed to increase at ±10 km/h, with a fairly good glide.

Big ears are stable, and reopen quickly.

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



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