MACPARA Eden 8 23

MACPARA Eden 8 

The EDEN 8 is Macpara’s new high-B glider for the 2025/26 or possibly the 27 season. 

I have the size 23 (70-90) here. 

The Eden 8 is a semi-light glider with a 3/2 hybrid line configuration. The construction and details are nice on that glider. The work on the leading edge is fantastic, and Nitinol rods were used inside that glider.

I flew the Eden 8 in higher mountains and difficult conditions, as well as on other sites below the inversion, with some challenging moments. Now, after a while, I can write my review precisely.

Launching the 5.93 Eden 8 as a high B glider is very straightforward, without any hard points or even surges. For a high pilot, it's a non-event.

I flew the glider from 84 to 88 to understand that it could fly well at those weights, but I sensed that flying it at 87 all up is the sweet spot for XC flights.

Handling and maneuverability:

The Eden 8 at 87 has around 12 cm of gap before the action on the trailing edge. The brake pressure is light for the first 10 cm, then moderate from 10 to 20 cm, allowing the pilot to fly the glider with minimal effort.  The Eden 8 can be smoothly adjusted from 10 to 15 cm inside a thermal. You can even crank it lower for a more dynamic turn, and still, the Eden 8 allows it easily. 

The handling is linear, precise, responsive, and quite agile, with minimum dive into a turn.

That’s why I was very efficient in thermals, with a high authority to guide the glider into the best climbing part of a thermal. 

Climb rate and efficiency:

As you all know, I thoroughly test my gliders next to other (benchmark) gliders, to better understand each glider's potential. And I assure you, I am very picky on that part!

To be precise, I must state that the size 23 flew at 87 all up, next to my reference gliders, which were also flown at their optimum flying weight. I must mention that, despite being a bit reluctant on the weak climb of my last Mac C class model, I was keen and curious to see what the Eden 8 has to offer.

To my delight, and also a relief, this Eden 8 surpasses my expectations for climb efficiency in weak air! But…That’s not all…

The Eden 8 joins the elite high-B gliders in the (floatability mode) when cruising. (We will discuss further down that nice behavior)

Flying next to the best high-B climber from a larger size also showed us that the Eden 8 doesn’t lack at all in that process, but keeps itself at the top of the climb efficiency. 

Glide and efficiency:

Now in 2025, there’s no glide angle. No more glide number. There’s only an efficiency number when gliding into the airmass. And that’s the glider that will take us far in XC mode.

Therefore, doing those tiring glides in turbulent air is very difficult because you don’t want a strong thermal day, but rather some weak to moderate lift under the inversion, coupled with a front valley breeze. That’s my cocktail to see which glider moves forward and climbs better at the same time. That’s why those glides are done many times.

Afterward, we both agree (Elie and I) that this Eden 8 behaves efficiently like a new 3-line C-class glider. The glide of the Eden 8 joins the best, and could replace my reference.   

I like the way it enters the airmass and moves forward, without losing its glide.

The glide at trim speed is like the best high-B, the glide at first bar is slightly better! The glide at full bar is somewhat less. 

A reminder that I was one size smaller than my reference. And we were both with the same Niviuk Arrow harnesses. 

When activating the speed bar, the C handles have a moderate pressure, easy access, and are efficient in controlling the glider in most situations.

Stability and homogeneity:

The Eden 8 felt like having a strong structure. I never had any collapse during the tests. The roll felt a bit slightly more than the Rush 6 and less than the Maestro 2. It informs the pilot politely, without being dull. For me, I like those movements because I understand the airmass better. If I remember correctly, the Eden 8 moves a bit more than the Eden 7, but it’s still a docile performance glider to control.

The pitch looks pretty neutral, with an excellent cut through the airmass for a high-B glider! 

Ears are easy to get, stable, and they reopen without pilot intervention! 

The top speed is around 14-15 km/h over trim. 

Conclusion:

The Eden 8 is a semi-light, agile, and pleasurable-handling high-performance glider. Enough to take the high-B pilot far on XC without wanting anything more.

A small reminder about today’s high-B gliders is that they are achieving the performance of non-certified prototypes from 12 years ago—all that with a B-class rating. 

How lucky we are to enjoy them! Fly safe  

Ziad