UP KIbo SM.
After test flying the Summit XC3 and the Trango XC3, here’s the Kibo test flight in SM size .
The Kibo has a 5.7 aspect ratio and has a B rating. UP created the Kibo for B pilots in mind and should be easier to fly than the Summit XC3.
Launching the Kibo is super easy and smooth . No shooting forward or hanging back. Just a steady climb to rest above the pilots head.
I flew the Kibo SM (75-95) at 93 all up as i felt it is a good load on this size. The trim speed isn’t very high, just near 38 km/h as average for the B category.
I flew this glider in different conditions from weak ones to some turbulent air in our Cedars Mountain range. I could quickly confirm a very comfortable glider. The Kibo is a compact smooth easy to fly B machine.
No matter what you throw on the Kibo, the B pilot underneath is very well taken care after !! Or should i say the pilot under the Kibo feels like a VIP on tour !
The handling on the Kibo is exquisite ! The glider reacts to a moderate brake travel and pressure feel, coupled with a very nice coordinated turn and precise inputs !
I can describe it as a “politely” agile glider :-) !
Doing some performance comparisons with the recent B+ beasts puts the Kibo overall performance in the first half of the B category in glide and climb.
The speed is around 10 km over trim at my loads taken at 700 ASL with a relatively moderate pressure, and a stable glider with usable speed.
Big ears are very easy to induce, very stable, efficient, and fast on opening.
Induced frontal collapses and even some big asymmetric collapses are a non event and it felt strangely like on an A glider …The reopening are very fast and smooth.
I didn't feel like I’m on a 5.7 aspect ratio glider at all !
It seems that UP has done a marvelous job with the internal structure of the Kibo ! I wished this structure was implemented on the 7:0 aspect ratio Trango XC3 which gave me some “Kung Fu” hours in turbulence. So the gap in comfort between the Kibo and the Trango XC3 is like a 4 category cooler ! :-)
Conclusion: This glider gives its pilot an impressive comfort zone! Coupled with a very good handling ! Pilots upgrading on the Kibo from any lower category will find a very friendly B machine. The overall performance are within the B category, and will surely deliver a good pilot, some nice XC flying days.
Cheers,
Ziad
16 comments:
Hi Ziad,
did you take some video for this review? Will you publish it?
Yes ,hopefully soon...
Cheers,
Ziad
Ziad, I have been looking at your blog almost every day - waiting for the Kibo tests. Thank you! Your words are very valuable to me and even though I've read some other pilot reports, you have the final say. I am stepping "down" from an 11 year old design Airwave Sport 3 to the Kibo since I will be 60 years old next birthday and don't fly as much lately. Even though the Kibo may have slightly more passive safety than the Sport 3, the newer technology will make me even more safe by flying over the trees easier to our distant landing field. I am buying one today! I don't have profile set up, so I sign off here: Steven "Scrappy" Beach :)
:-)
Wishing you happy and safe flights.
It won't be more demanding than the Sport 3 with of course much more performance !
Cheers Ziad
Hi Ziad, I also fly a sport3.
Con you rate the sport3 in your "most demanding glider in stron conditions" ??
For the coment you made, its more dificult to fly than a number four in that scale.
Thank you
;)
Hi ,
You won't have any problem upgrading to the Kibo.
Cheers,
Ziad
So, to sum it up, you would class this Kibo in the midd B category ?
It seems a little bit easier than the Base, but with better glide performance, however with a bit less floatability ?
They are planning to release a light version, which I could well consider buying to replace my Base and Masala at the same time.
Hi Ziad!!
Now that you have flown the Kibo and summit xc3, which one do you believe that has more speed/glide ratio?
Which one works better as progression/comp wing in sport class??
See you
Felipe Trincado
Kibo or iota ?
I think the Kibo S is quite competitive with the Summit XC3 S...Go for the Kibo !
Cheers,
You must choose :-) !
Hi, yes its a good all round B glider. The Lthose is their light version...but could be slightly different.
Cheers,
Ziad
Hi Ziad, did you get a chance to fly the Lhotse.
Looking for a decent performance lightweight wing with good safety.
Looked at Skyman Cross Country but wrong weight range for me.
Great reviews
Unfortunately I didn't...Try also the Mentor 4 light if it suits ur weight !!!
Cheers
Ziad
Thanks Ziad, I have only flown low B wings, current wing a UP Makalu 3. How much of a step up will the M4L be?
Another interesting wing looks to be the Arriba 3
Huge step in terms of performance, not too traumatic in terms of handling :)
Makalu isn't really a wing that lets you adventure in long xc flights...it sinks like a stone in bad air, m4 certainly has the potential to let you fly 3digit distances on most good days.
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