The Buzz Z5 is the new Ozone glider for the low B segment pilots.
It features a mild shark nose, 3.5 line configuration and a very moderate to low aspect ratio.
Launching the Buzz Z5 is quite simple for that category with no hang back, just stop the glider in strong wind to keep it from slightly overshooting. Nothing out of the ordinary.
I flew the Buzz Z5 from 88 all to 93 for the SM (75-95) size.
In both configuration the Buzz Z5 has a precise, direct, brake control . It seems that any high-end pilot will be more than satisfied test flying the Buzz Z5 as it delivers that performance touch in the brakes…especially for a low B !
I was happy test flying it, for it’s refined brake feeling and thinking that only the Rush 4 or the Delta 2 were a pleasure to fly won’t be fair for the Buzz Z5…
I was impressed by the way that every small pull on the brakes can make it turn on my commands, despite it's forgiving long brake travel !
So pulling 30 cm can steer the glider on almost all thermals…pulling more like 50-60 cm doesn’t really make the Buzz Z5 spin or else..It just respond with a clam nature without being dynamic !
Beyond 45 cm the pressure on the brakes becomes moderate to slightly heavy.
What surprised me the most on the Buzz Z5 was it’s ability to search or to sniff a thermal !
It doesn’t have the tendency to stop or hang back, rather than to slide through the air mass and entering the thermals calmly and smoothly!
For sure this characteristic is not very common on low B gliders, and the Buzz Z5 was keeping me satisfied enough “for a low B” during this test.
Flying next to the Rush 4 and some high end B gliders, i can confirm an excellent ability to climb in weak or strong thermals !
Doing some glides at trim with the Rush 4 to have an idea, was also very rewarding and really competitive. I was really surprised … Pushing on the first bar, the glide was still very good ! It showed me that the performance at around 44 km/h is very usable and really good !
Trim speed is around 39 km/h and the full speed is around 49 km/h.
Big ears are very easy to induce, and very stable even with bar.They are efficient and the reopening is very smooth.
Conclusion: It seems that the manufacturers are trying hard to create low B gliders with enough performance to keep the low air time pilots surf the air endlessly with the option of going XC when they are ready.
The Buzz Z5 moves slightly more in the air than the Buzz Z4, but with a full enhancement package of performance feel, and gliding performance.
The Buzz Z5 has it all. A comfortable, agile, high passive safety, low aspect ratio B glider with an interesting option for going XC.
I have UPDATED the B comparison (Please see further down)
http://ziadbassil.blogspot.com/2015/12/b-comparison-update-inserting-ikuma.html
7 comments:
On the last pictures, are you testing low speed / stall point on the Buzz ?
Looking forward the Geo 5 ! :p
Hi Ziad;
My human is also looking forward to the GEO 5 tests. He is trying to decide between a GEO 5 for lightness for hike and fly, or an Ion 4 for slightly better performance in strong thermals.
One thing we don't like about the Ion 4 is the lower number of upper lines in the brakes - 16 vs 22 for the Z5. This gives the trailing edge a scalloped look when brakes are applies. Also in many videos, it seems like the higher arc at the tips of the Ion 4 makes it slightly more prone to small tip tucks.
Hi Ziad;
This link is broken:
http://ziadbassil.blogspot.com/2015/12/b-comparison-update-inserting-ikuma.html
Hi Ziad,
I weight 66 kg what size of glider should I choose ? S or SM ?
Hi,
It depends on ur all up weight...70 to 90 % into the weight range is nice . Cheers Ziad
All up weight should be around 85 kg. So with the S i am at 100% and the SM at 50%... Maybe is should be looking at gliders with 90kg as max.
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