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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