Dear Fellow pilots,
I need to share some thoughts about my tests on this blog.
I have been flying for a long time, and my country offers some frequent flying conditions. With more than 5000 hours, I stopped logging years ago ...
I have flown more than 260 different glider till now...
I’m 54now. But i still don’t believe it, though i used the calculator many times, but i think its a conspiracy…My eyes still see 30 :-)
This is a completely FREE blog. No ads. Its a self sponsored blog. Free service .
I own a large business, that keeps my family and I, well supported, and my head full of problems to be solved on a daily basis.
This blog is just to ‘escape’ for a glimpse. To enter my own “Boy’s box”
Birds cannot change wings, but we are privileged to do so !
My dream is to exchange wings, and now I’m living this dream.
I purchase every glider from my own money. Every glider is held at customs and it’s really a tough time releasing one…
I test fly the glider with joy like a boy reaching for an ice cream or a chocolate bar. I still love chocolate ;-) A lot…
Then i sell the gliders on this blog, and buy new ones and so on. Sometimes i get some Euros, sometimes i loose some Euros, especially from those “reference” gliders which i keep for a time in order to compare with the newcomers.
So it means if a glider is so good, i’ll lose money to keep it, but I’ll gain pleasure in flying it which is the MOST important !
When a glider meets medium criteria, it has to be written exactly as i felt, in my personal humble opinion.
To be crystal clear: My balance for this operation is purchasing 8-13 new releases by year.
I don’t have any relation or business whatsoever with any manufacturer but a deep respect for all their R&D team who tries their best to deliver outstanding flying machines !
The tests are made with the most precise way, i know how. They represent “humbly” my own PERSONAL FEEL. And I’ll try as much as i can to deliver the closest feel in written words.
Please bear in mind that: “Different sizes, and different load could lead in a different feel “
If any pilot or manufacturer, would feel offended or misguided from reading those tests, i sincerely apologize.
If any of you feels happy reading them and watching the videos, then let us fly together on Aladdin’s magic carpets :-) !!!
Don’t take them too seriously also…Every pilot has a different feel for his own flying machine :-)
Don’t buy any glider before a test flight if you can !
The purpose is to have fun !
Fly safe !
Ziad
I love your blog and take it as you say,a lot of pilots get good information before buying a new glider. Thanks for your dedication. Greetings from South Africa. Thys Steynberg
ReplyDeleteThank You Thys !
DeleteHi Ziad, unfortunately I do not have time and money to do so. But its a great pleasure for me to read your articles. I have been hangliding for nearly 30 years, and I have started paragliding in 88. Its absolute amazing what constructors developed the past years. Today I can cruise much more efficient with an B paraglider, than a couple of years ago with my intermediate hangglider. And especially the last year they have created more sails that make a cross-country really relaxing. So keep on doing your great job - I will look to your blog at least one time week.
ReplyDeleteThank You ! Happy landings ! Ziad
DeleteHi there Ziad, I for one think that the work, in hours and money, you put into this blog is priceless. There's no other blog anywhere on the internet that covers so many wings in as much detail as yours. For myself and I know that for many other pilots as well, reference your blog when it comes to changing wings.
ReplyDeleteHappy flights and I hope you stay 30 for many years
Thank you Daniel !
DeleteHi Ziad...I am a great Fan from your Blog. I knew, you make a great job. Thank you for it...I get here the first experiance, when I want to buy a new wing. In the next weeks I want to buy a new high-b wing. I think Chili 4 or Blacklight 2 are the best for me. I test it in Stubai-cup and then I buy the best. I wish you a good time. best wishes from bavaria and always happy landings. :-)
ReplyDeleteThank You !
DeleteHi Ziad. Your efforts are priceless. We met a couple of times some years ago in your country. Everything what you say is true...I saw it with my own eyes. I believe, that some pilots or manufactures may question your objectivity. Let me tell them all that your blog is by far the best in the whole paragliding testing/review world. Keep it up. I am also 52 now and feel like 25.
ReplyDeleteThank you Uwe ! I remember...it was in January and 1 C degrees on take off...Very cold for me... And it was ok for you as a German standard flying day :-)
DeleteCheers, Ziad
Hi Ziad, it is a shame that you even have to write an explanation, because of 2 or 3 critics, whilst you have 1000's of fans. I appreciate your blog, and always look forward to the next review. Please do not change you approach because of a small minority.
ReplyDeleteI am also a 21 year old trapped in the body of a 40 something year old.
Regards
Thank you ! :-)
DeleteHi Ziad, I have been following your blog for a while. And I have bought a glider by reading many different opinions and watching videos. But Your opinions and explanations are more clear and important than the other beneficial comments For me. And we speak to friends about your comments very often. I will go on to follow Your blog. Greetings from Turkey.
ReplyDeleteThank you Seko !
DeleteHi Ziad, thank you for all the things that you have done and you will be doing for this wonderful sport. Keep flying keep giving us your personal opinion
ReplyDeleteHey Ziad, thanks for the amazing service you provide for the community. Keep flying, stay 30,and hope to meet you in the air one day :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you Simon :-)
DeleteHi Ziad, thank you for your effort, time and your blog :-). It is worthy to read all your blogs. Keep doing it for (at least) another 30 years :-))). Have a nice day! Jan
ReplyDeleteThank you Jan ! :-)
DeleteI have known Ziad since I started paragliding in 1998, long before he started his blog. I will not comment on the validity of his observations, he said everything in the open for anyone to verify, and I will not comment on his talent or flying skills, when you see him flying you will see that for yourself. However there is something about Ziad that you cannot see in his videos and it takes 20 years of knowing him to know that about him. Ziad is a person of utmost integrity, of high moral principles, honesty, truthfulness, uprightness and sincerity. I don’t know what prompted Ziad to share these thoughts but I know that objectivity has a price and objectivity will never make everyone happy.
ReplyDeleteThank you Seba for your kind words ! Hope to fly together this summer ! Cheers, Ziad
DeleteHi Ziad! I too appreciate your writings and videos! Thank you for enlightening me :-D ... Please continue on (and take pleasure doing so)... Happy landings :-D
ReplyDeleteThank you !
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi Ziad,
ReplyDeleteI am 45 years flying for "only" 14 years and frequently visit your blog. Years ago a friend gave me your link and I am so grateful about it and your comments!
You can express and rank gliders in a "glider-language" I can understand and bring Gliders in my thoughts I had not thing about before.
The worth you bring to the small community in my opinion is experience and a "neutral" opinion because you are not influenced by a company, because fortunately you do not need money from the "Gliders"-Community. This makes you so special.
Your Sharing thoughts reminds me about an impression I had 2013. I was longtime-traveling and sharing a blog. It was a lot of work with only few feedback so I asked in the faceless Internet "who" cares if I write that? I got a lot responds and many people cared. The "price" of "blogging" is you do not see the majority of grateful followers you have...
With thanks from from Germany.
Hi Kai, Thank you ! I really appreciate your comment and support !
DeleteHappy landings, Ziad
Respect to you dear Ziad, your work it's so precious and you have never to quit!!! even when you get 99!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you.Apreciate it.
DeleteCheers
Ziad
Thank you very much for the hard work through the years Ziad!
ReplyDeleteOne query in the meantime, "I don’t have any relation or business whatsoever with any manufacturer" => Nova appears to have this on their website:
×
NOVA LEBANON
Saint Joseph roak 13
03622791 Jbeil
Lebanon
9613622791
ziad.bassil@gmail.com
I'm glad you asked.
DeleteLebanon has around 30 active pilot in total. There's no Nova dealer to purchase from ...over here also no UP, Gradient, U-turn,Dudek,BGD,Swing,777, Macpara,Sky paragliders, etc.... I purchase my gliders directly from them . It's the only way to get them as soon as they get released.
Ozone dealer here is Mr Alan Debs.
Gin dealer is Mr Moni Hobeika.
Hope it's clear enough for you.
Cheers
Ziad
Ziad, you're work is so valued by so many people. Huge hat-tip to you!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind word !
DeleteI think you do this rather well. It's a delicate thing to evaluate and critique in a fair and objective manner when something is so subjective. I've always found your approach to be just that. Anyhow, flying paragliders is supposed to be fun! Otherwise, what's the point? Thank you, for doing what you do and for having fun while doing it.
ReplyDeleteThank you !
DeleteDear Ziad,
ReplyDeleteSince I found your blog in the internet, and thats a long time ago, I read it regularly. I love your statements and the way you are doing. To compare and to rank the gliders.
Thanks a lot for your outstanding and dedicated work. If you have time in the future go on and show as trough your eyes the impressions of the tested gliders.
I started flying para in 87 and still feel today the urge to go in the air as much as possible. And as well as you, I can't believe the km's on my personal counter. :-)
I hope seeing you once personally, why not in your Country, and wish you courage and power for the future.
And don't lead you mislead by some critics. Nobody could do it right to everyone........
Hi Marc,
DeleteThank you! Time passes really fast :-) You are welcome here anytime.
Email me when you are set to come over .
ziad.bassil@gmail.com
Ahhh! Ziad! Thank you---the comparisons and 'feel' of your tests are so interesting. But-- I am most appreciative of your philosophy and happiness around our amazing great fortune to be able to *FLY* !!!! What a gift and wonder---and maybe even more so, since we are the tiny minority amongst the billions--- most who labor just to feed their families and try to stay safe. ANY glider is magic! ..yet, you are right, they have a different feel and way of flying, and you are an inspiration to find the ones that let us fly the way we can express our individual selves. We must revel in the chance to fly, the shortest of flights, the ones where our hope was not met...but to FLY* be safe, rejoice int eh magic, and give back to all. Thank you for sharing your passion and wisdom!!! Peter -- Oregon, USA
ReplyDeleteThank you Peter ! Much appreciate it !! Cheers,
DeleteI'm your fan! Congratulations on the work! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Lisandro !
DeleteHi Ziad - I love your blog - its outstanding - best available in the internet. Better than what all paragliding magazines do offer. I would like to fly in your country. Hope this is possible. Kind Regards Toni - Germany
ReplyDeleteHi Toni, Thank you! You're welcome anytime !
DeleteCheers,
Hi Ziad, kifak? Naively I thought you were testing gliders borrowed from other pilots during your trips. Reading the article I understand that with your job and passion (and customs!) there is not much time for travel; let alone writing articles! Which means we have to come over with the gliders you tested to pay tribute :-)
ReplyDeleteI live in QA and always wanted to explore your country. We're a dozen pilots here, happy to take you to the dunes if you stop-by. Happy landings!
:-) Great ! Thank you !
DeleteYou're welcome anytime !
Cheers,
Hi Ziad!
ReplyDeleteI am a keen reader of your blog. It is worth mentioning that your tests have proven to be true up to over 90% accuracy in my case with my wings. I was not every time completely agree with your point of view;) but I always soaked up every word of your writings as it is a valuable ressource of knowledge! So once more time BIG thanks goes to U from sunny Romania!
With respect and regards,
Igor
Thanks Igor ! Appreciate your write up :-)
DeleteCheers,
Hi Ziad, you are an amazing resource to the community and the insights your provide are priceless. I regularly read and watch your posts, often times repeatedly just to live a little bit vicariously through all your test flights and to see pictures of gliders I can't always get my hands on. Looking forward to all your future posts mate!
ReplyDeleteEverything has been said already and I second it! When I start thinking about a new wing, one of the first things that comes to mind: "Has Ziad tried it? and if so what does he thinks about it?" Hopefully you'll help me decide between the mentor 14 the Iota 8 and the sigma 18 in a few years time ;) Keep up the good work! Ben
ReplyDeleteThank you Ben....
DeleteHappy flights
Ziad
Hi Ziad, I would also like to add my appreciation.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading your articles on all the wings you test, the way you describe their feel is always interesting and educating. In fact the last 4 wings I have purchased have been heavily weighted by your opinion ... and I haven't been disappointed yet! My last two wings have been the Delta 2 and now the 777 King ... and I absolutely love both wings.
The incredible body of work here can only be described as the paraglider's Bible
Many thanks !
Sean
Ziad-
ReplyDeleteI too have greatly enjoyed your blog and your analysis of PG performance. I have used your work to help me, in part, make decisions on the purchase of two gliders. Of course I did not rely solely on your blog, but it was very helpful in my decision making process. Thank you so much for your good work! I am a pilot from the USA of intermediate skills, and will be in the Middle East this November. Is Lebanon receptive to visiting pilots...would love to fly in your beautiful country!
Thank you. You are most welcome anytime :-)
DeleteCheers