Triple Seven KING
Triple Seven KING
Triple Seven gliders was founded by two PWC flying brothers, that used to work with several manufacturers and their reputation at the time was the fast flying ability and the competition at the highest level.
Triple Seven was born and their first products in the B and C category were the Rook 1 and the amazing Queen which still has the best glide at full speed for a C glider !
Then came the Rook 2 which sits on the top places with the best performers in the B category with a very good accessibility.
The gliders made by the Valic brothers, seems to inherit a high performance aim with a relatively comfortable handling each in their respective category.
Now the King EN-D is here…
The King has a strong shark nose with a 3 line layout. The lower lines are small but sheathed, the mid and upper ones are thin and unsheathed, and the extremities + the brake line geometry are very thin micro lines.
I have the S size (75-95) which i flew from 90 all up till 95, and the M size (90-110) flown at 107.5 all up.
My recent D gliders for this comparison are: The Mantra 6 SM and ML, the Peak 4 21 and 23 , the Avax XC 5 26, the IP 6 23 .
Launching the King S and M in, 5 km/h to + 15 km/h , needs a steady pull to accompany the glider. It’s a slightly slower than an M6 to reach overhead, but it’s surely very easy for a D glider as it goes up in one compact piece !
Flying the King S with the same X-Rated 6 harness i used for all the mentioned gliders, showed me at 93 all up, a moderate to agile glider and could be similar to the Mantra 6 SM agility flown at the same weight also.
The brake travel is short to moderate, resembling also the M6 SM brake travel .
The differences in thermal entry is that the King S pitches slightly back a little before entering.
The King M flown at 108 doesn’t have that pronounced pitch back movement and gives a neutral one instead.
The King could be described as a comfortable D glider when flown in moderate turbulence.
Flying the glider is some nasty ‘winter’ turbulent air, the King needs more active piloting than a Mantra 6 MS and slightly less piloting than a Peak 4 21 i was test flying at the same time.
The glider movements in some lee side thermals are sharp with always a marked back pitch on the S rather than a forward pitch. The M size showed me a more neutral pitch.
Of course sometimes it pulls you to the thermals, but in the relatively “moderate” turbulence conditions i flew it in, (only the summer conditions will give a better idea) , i found it easy to control the forward pitch, and in some macaroni stuff, i wished for a more neutral pitch on the S size.
The climb rate performance for both the S and the M size in very weak thermals (0.3m/s) is moderate to good resembling the Peak 4 one.
Once the thermals are steady and homogenous the very good maneuverability of the King doesn’t loose any weak thermal, and the flat turning ability, helps immensely to stay in the core. It has much better climb than the Queen in small conditions even loaded.
In those very weak conditions the M6 could still have a slight insignificant edge in float-ability…But i’m being too picky…as you already know
Now comes the glide part.
Doing some glides with the M6, Peak 4, IP 6, showed me for several times a superiority in gliding power for the King S and for sure the M size !
For instance the M6, MS (80-95) at 93 compared to the King M (90-110) flown at 108, gave the King a full + 2 km/h trim speed and for sure an impressive glide angle, like from another dimension ! It looked like chasing a full CCC competition glider !
Flying the King S (75-95) at 93 all up next to a Peak 4 23 (85-105), gave me the same big visual advantage in glide for the King S and as we both used the speed bar, the differences became larger to my favor !
The top speed of the Peak 4 23 is still around +3 km/h more similarly loaded versus the King S size.
I found it that especially around 45- 47 km/h the king glide angle is remarkably better !
I was never expecting a clear visual glide difference ! Usually there’s a small glide difference between newly tested gliders.But not this time !
The King does have indeed an amazing glide…or should i say:
The glide angle is worthy of a King !
The IP 6 23, still has also more top speed (+ 6 km/h) , over the King S, followed by the M6 (+ 2 km/h) .
I measured the King S top speed at 1000 ASL with 93 all up around 56 km/h with overlapping pulleys.
The glide at that speed is very nice, but i felt that the best glide is around ± 46 km/h for the S size which many XC pilots use frequently.
I found that racing at that speed through moderate turbulent air is quite usable as i was able to keep my feet on the pedal.
Big ears are easy to induce with a stable behavior and efficient descent rate at -3m/s with full bar.
They open smoothly !
Conclusion:
The King is the new reference in gliding power in the D category .
It seems that Triple Seven has built a powerful, fairly accessible, agile, gliding machine for “experienced” D pilots.
Upgrading from the Queen is logical if it was already flown easily for two seasons in strong conditions.
I’m sure that any C or D pilot test flying the King, will be shocked by this superb gliding Albatros
UPDATE: After flying over 30 hours on the S size from 90 to 94 all up, i realized a change in trim speed .After email exchange with 777, it was obvious that the A's are slightly stretching by 0.5 cm and maybe the B's slightly...
I found the best way to re-trim this S size is by releasing the two (inner) C loops .The outside C loop stays . (confirmed by 777). Bearing in mind that the S size has no loops on the A's and B's .
You will be impressed that by releasing this loop (0.7 cm) on the inner C loops you will have a completely different glider ! In this configuration, the S size is more dynamic but still very compact, faster trim speed +1km/h , direct and beautiful handling...! Still solid and usable on full bar !
The M and L size are trimmed differently...There are simple loops 0.7 cm and cowboy loops 1 cm .Please contact your 777 dealer before any change.
Triple Seven KING
Triple Seven gliders was founded by two PWC flying brothers, that used to work with several manufacturers and their reputation at the time was the fast flying ability and the competition at the highest level.
Triple Seven was born and their first products in the B and C category were the Rook 1 and the amazing Queen which still has the best glide at full speed for a C glider !
Then came the Rook 2 which sits on the top places with the best performers in the B category with a very good accessibility.
The gliders made by the Valic brothers, seems to inherit a high performance aim with a relatively comfortable handling each in their respective category.
Now the King EN-D is here…
The King has a strong shark nose with a 3 line layout. The lower lines are small but sheathed, the mid and upper ones are thin and unsheathed, and the extremities + the brake line geometry are very thin micro lines.
I have the S size (75-95) which i flew from 90 all up till 95, and the M size (90-110) flown at 107.5 all up.
My recent D gliders for this comparison are: The Mantra 6 SM and ML, the Peak 4 21 and 23 , the Avax XC 5 26, the IP 6 23 .
Launching the King S and M in, 5 km/h to + 15 km/h , needs a steady pull to accompany the glider. It’s a slightly slower than an M6 to reach overhead, but it’s surely very easy for a D glider as it goes up in one compact piece !
Flying the King S with the same X-Rated 6 harness i used for all the mentioned gliders, showed me at 93 all up, a moderate to agile glider and could be similar to the Mantra 6 SM agility flown at the same weight also.
The brake travel is short to moderate, resembling also the M6 SM brake travel .
The differences in thermal entry is that the King S pitches slightly back a little before entering.
The King M flown at 108 doesn’t have that pronounced pitch back movement and gives a neutral one instead.
The King could be described as a comfortable D glider when flown in moderate turbulence.
Flying the glider is some nasty ‘winter’ turbulent air, the King needs more active piloting than a Mantra 6 MS and slightly less piloting than a Peak 4 21 i was test flying at the same time.
The glider movements in some lee side thermals are sharp with always a marked back pitch on the S rather than a forward pitch. The M size showed me a more neutral pitch.
Of course sometimes it pulls you to the thermals, but in the relatively “moderate” turbulence conditions i flew it in, (only the summer conditions will give a better idea) , i found it easy to control the forward pitch, and in some macaroni stuff, i wished for a more neutral pitch on the S size.
The climb rate performance for both the S and the M size in very weak thermals (0.3m/s) is moderate to good resembling the Peak 4 one.
Once the thermals are steady and homogenous the very good maneuverability of the King doesn’t loose any weak thermal, and the flat turning ability, helps immensely to stay in the core. It has much better climb than the Queen in small conditions even loaded.
In those very weak conditions the M6 could still have a slight insignificant edge in float-ability…But i’m being too picky…as you already know
Now comes the glide part.
Doing some glides with the M6, Peak 4, IP 6, showed me for several times a superiority in gliding power for the King S and for sure the M size !
For instance the M6, MS (80-95) at 93 compared to the King M (90-110) flown at 108, gave the King a full + 2 km/h trim speed and for sure an impressive glide angle, like from another dimension ! It looked like chasing a full CCC competition glider !
Flying the King S (75-95) at 93 all up next to a Peak 4 23 (85-105), gave me the same big visual advantage in glide for the King S and as we both used the speed bar, the differences became larger to my favor !
The top speed of the Peak 4 23 is still around +3 km/h more similarly loaded versus the King S size.
I found it that especially around 45- 47 km/h the king glide angle is remarkably better !
I was never expecting a clear visual glide difference ! Usually there’s a small glide difference between newly tested gliders.But not this time !
The King does have indeed an amazing glide…or should i say:
The glide angle is worthy of a King !
The IP 6 23, still has also more top speed (+ 6 km/h) , over the King S, followed by the M6 (+ 2 km/h) .
I measured the King S top speed at 1000 ASL with 93 all up around 56 km/h with overlapping pulleys.
The glide at that speed is very nice, but i felt that the best glide is around ± 46 km/h for the S size which many XC pilots use frequently.
I found that racing at that speed through moderate turbulent air is quite usable as i was able to keep my feet on the pedal.
Big ears are easy to induce with a stable behavior and efficient descent rate at -3m/s with full bar.
They open smoothly !
Conclusion:
The King is the new reference in gliding power in the D category .
It seems that Triple Seven has built a powerful, fairly accessible, agile, gliding machine for “experienced” D pilots.
Upgrading from the Queen is logical if it was already flown easily for two seasons in strong conditions.
I’m sure that any C or D pilot test flying the King, will be shocked by this superb gliding Albatros
UPDATE: After flying over 30 hours on the S size from 90 to 94 all up, i realized a change in trim speed .After email exchange with 777, it was obvious that the A's are slightly stretching by 0.5 cm and maybe the B's slightly...
I found the best way to re-trim this S size is by releasing the two (inner) C loops .The outside C loop stays . (confirmed by 777). Bearing in mind that the S size has no loops on the A's and B's .
You will be impressed that by releasing this loop (0.7 cm) on the inner C loops you will have a completely different glider ! In this configuration, the S size is more dynamic but still very compact, faster trim speed +1km/h , direct and beautiful handling...! Still solid and usable on full bar !
The M and L size are trimmed differently...There are simple loops 0.7 cm and cowboy loops 1 cm .Please contact your 777 dealer before any change.
Great write up Ziad.. looks like the King M is going to be a winner.
ReplyDeleteWhats about the M, if you fly the glider with 100kg? Is Handling, Speed and Performance still okay?
ReplyDeleteIf actual best sink rate is approx 1 m/s (see Cure BGD according to Para2000 and manifacture) how can we speak about climb ability in weak thermals of about 0,3 m/s ?!
ReplyDelete:-)
DeleteWhen the vario indicates 0.3m/s it means the thermal strength when lifting is being added to the sink rate of the glider which is approximately 1 m/s...
Ok , now you are clear...thanks
DeleteHello Ziad, thank you for your review, we were very curious about your findings. It is also very nice to have you test fly both the S and the M size of the King. I am just a little surprised that you could fly the M at 107kg, we all know your naked weight so that means you have carried a lot of water, I guess. If you don’t mind I would like to have your point of view concerning the “thermal sniffer ability” of the King. I have always loved the way the Trango XC2 sniffed out thermals, I read that the TXC3 does the same, maybe even better, the King has “floating tips” so I wonder if it helps to catch the core of light lift or not. Does it cut through the air like a IP6 does or not. Of course, sniffy glider also means, very often, more work load has this type of glider are moving around a little more than some others (but I like it, personally, makes you better feel what is going on around you). My second question would concern the floatability of the King, I understood it is a very little less floaty than the M6 but how would you compare it to the IP6 23 at 98kg or a carefully loaded GTO2, let’s say a M size loaded at 100kg? And, I am sorry, just very curious, did you fly the King M size at mid weight range to try out, I am planning to fly it around 102kg and wonder how it will behave, I read somewhere that the Triple Seven gliders can be flown at mid weight a bit like a UP glider, I try to find out what’s the optimum weight with best sink rate and brake authority. Thanks again for any kind of comment. Ivan
ReplyDeleteHi Ivan,
DeleteI understand what you mean. I need to fly the M size more at different loadings and especially near the mid weight to be able to comment on the float ability.This is the rainy season...hopefully in the next 20 days...Cheers, Ziad
Hello,
DeleteI'm curious to know how is the M size at 100 kg. Because I have triton 2 since 2 season and i look to upgrade. I have already flown the M size and really like it but it was weak condition.
It's unbeatable in glide. At 100 it will fly ok with very nice climb rate .But I think 103, 104 is better in strong conditions.and it will loose a bit in climb only in very weak thermals.
DeleteCheers
Cheers
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteHello Ziad,
ReplyDeleteWonderful review as usual! I have however fallen into a pit of confusion as my english comprehension has failed me in regards to a few of your sentences ... could you help clear up a couple of things for me:
1. Quote: "Flying the King S (75-95) at 93 all up next to a Peak 4 23 (85-105), gave me the same big visual advantage in glide for the King S and as we both used the speed bar, the differences became larger to my favor !"
Here it seems to say the King S is faster then the Peak4 23
2. Quote: "The top speed of the Peak 4 23 is still around +3 km/h more similarly loaded versus the King S size"
Here is seems you are saying the Peak4 23 is faster than the King S, contradicting the first quote.
3. Quote: "The IP 6 23, still has also more top speed (+ 6 km/h) , over the King S, followed by the M6 (+ 2 km/h)"
Here you are saying the IP6 23 is 6km/h faster than the King S ... but it also seems that the M6 is 2km/h faster then the King S, however, earlier you indicted the King S was faster then the M6.
Please help me in my terrible confusion sir.
Many thanks
Sean
Hi Sean,
DeleteI was earlier talking about glide angle .
For example peak 4 23 and King M .
The glide is on the King M side.
nice tests anyway... in few days i will publish my results of comparsion King M vs Peak 4.25
ReplyDeleteHi Ziad, What EN-D wing would you recommend when moving from EN-C Trango XC3 ? Mostly fly flatlands downwind. Would 777 King be a good starter or would you recommend others as a first EN-D
ReplyDeleteHi Peter,
DeleteThe M6, Icon and the King are good options for stepping in the Delta category.
Cheers,
Ziad
I meant in the D category...
DeletePeter,
ReplyDeleteI hope Ziad doesn't mind me replying on his blog. Having flown the Trango xc3 for most of last season and now having a few hours under the small King I think you will find the King a big step in performance and big step down in terms of wing management. It is much easier to fly than the UP. Cheers Martin
Thanks Peter. I'm thinking of stepping down to Cayenne 5 for agility and climb and then going back up the class to perhaps King later. If the King has the climb and feedback and can give me the confidence in strong turbulence then its the wing for me. Sometimes the higher rated gliders are more comfortable than the lower.
DeleteFinally settled for the King, very smooth co-ordinated in turns. Lovely wing to fly and nice to have the speed range back
DeleteHi Ziad,
ReplyDeleteWhere would you rate the King on the C/D usability list?
Wanting to move to a King from an old Mantra M4 and not wanting to miss out on safety.
What is your opinion of the "easy" D's?
Great work on your reviews!
Thanks
Ky
Hi KY,
DeleteThe King feels like an easy D.i think the upgrade from the mantra 4 will be very natural. They could be similar in comfort...plus a very agile and short brake response to the King versus the M4.
Cheers
Ziad
Bonjour je suis pilote moniteur depuis 30 ans et je confirme que la King est vraiment très accessible pour sa catégorie et au vu de ses performances ! j'ai jamais vu ça avant d'ailleurs. Même certaines ces me paraissent plus difficile c'est vraiment son grand avantage à la King :la performance et la facilité.....
ReplyDelete