Skywalk Poison 4 (My personal avatar)

Skywalk Poison 4  (My personal avatar) 

The Poison 4 is SKYWALK's new two liner EN-D glider for 2026 and beyond. It has a 6.9 aspect ratio, and it is created as their ultimate weapon for cross-country. 

https://skywalk.info/project/poison4/

The glider has, in my view, impeccable construction features!  It is built with Skytex Porcher 27 and 40 hrs. Well-placed rods in the structure don’t feel their weight or shape on the ground. Some gliders look so stiff that you ask yourself how to pack them…The Poison 4 appears easier and lighter in that regard, weighing around 5.6 kg! 

Launching the Poison 4 as a regular XC glider in nil wind requires a steady pull to fill those tiny openings, but it still inflates slowly and evenly. In 10 km/h wind, it is very easy to launch with a solid, undeformed structure that already tells you “cool down, mate, I’m here for you!

It resembles the Zeno 2 launch, but with a slightly better rising time. 

I flew the Poison 4 with two harnesses. The Flow VisstaXC and the Arrow. Both harnesses deliver practically the same feedback… I flew that glider during some intense and turbulent days in our Cedars range, as well as on some cool days later. I have been flying it for over +20 hours now, and I can easily describe its behavior.

At 94 all up, and on my first turn, I was already smiling! The Poison 4 features short, responsive, and direct brake control, offering precise and intuitive control.  For the D class category, and with a seven aspect ratio glider, the Poison has the best handling I have experienced in that D class.  It's between a Zeolite 2 GT and a Klimber 3P in terms of brake authority. 

The overall movements inside a thermal resemble vaguely the Zeno 2. Still, I could sense a slight more homogeneity in turns, probably because I had a higher authority on the brakes, with also a more coherent structure. 

The Roll is delivered less than the Zeno 2, and the pitch is neutral.  In a more turbulent and strong air, there’s a logical workout intended for D-level pilots, which is rational for that category. However, the brake authority still gives the pilot confidence in control.  It moves in a whole structure and in a heavy air mass; it surges forward, but again, the brake authority for a seven aspect ratio glider is flawless. 

Gliding through a difficult air mass is the Poison 4 playground. It has a fast trim speed and enters the airmass efficiently (dolphin style), moves forward, and searches for better thermals!  Like flying a Zeno 2, Peak 6, the Poison 4 has the edge over the Zeolite 2 GT, XAlps 6, and other light high aspect ratio gliders. It is from the higher category and resembles the Zeno 2 in that matter.

I did some glides alongside a brand new Peak 6, same size, and I think both are very close in glide. 

 

Climb rate in weak lift is efficient, as I could get the most out of the weak day. As efficient as the Peak 6, also in that matter, if both are loaded at the top.  Again, regardless of the thermal shape, I could easily re-adjust the glider turn with the brakes precisely inside the lift. In stronger air, it moves upward like the top EN-Ds out there.  In good thermals, there’s always that pull through the turns, as if the Poison 4 wants to find the best core. It also feels that when I ease up a bit on the brakes, the Poison 4 leading edge stays pitch neutral with that very nice pull through the air. ( Like that famous stepping up a ladder) feel.  

I personally liked the behaviour of that glider in thermals, turbulence, glides, but mainly, turns. 

Applying the Speed system in a moving headwind air mass gives much efficiency over the top Cs. The pressure on the feet is moderate, allowing me to easily maintain 90% of the travel with good stability on both the Arrow and the Viista XC. I also think it goes well with Forza 2.

B steering, while on a half bar, has moderate pressure and can control most movements efficiently. Flying the D-class Poison 4 at half bar is quite rewarding in XC in terms of glide efficiency. 

Ears can be made with outer B’s. They are stable, efficient with the speed bar, of course, and they reopen quickly.

Conclusion: The Poison 4 has enough gliding performance to stay along with the Peak 6, and other top D's of the moment. The climb is also similar and very good. The handling and brake authority are superb. The overall homogeneity, compactness, and the feel you get under it are the highest successes that Skywalk has achieved for the Pioson 4. Easier and more compact to fly than the Zeno 2, similar to the Peak 6 in flying demands without the pitch back upon thermal entry..  It remains a D-class glider to respect, but also to cherish for its complete package. 

Every person has their personal preferences when it comes to activities like flying gliders, driving cars, etc.  In my personal opinion, Skywalk has released my preferred EN-D glider to date. 

'Coup de coeur’ like the French say ;-)