SKYWALK Sage 95! (The art of flying)
Skywalk introduced for 2025/26 the new light 2 liner C class glider. The light version of the Mint ( Handling enhanced)
The Sage has a 6.4 aspect ratio and is certified in the EN-C category. Its overall construction is very neat, and the glider looks beautiful! The risers are made with Cousin Freres 7mm webbing.
https://skywalk.info/project/sage/
I have over here two sizes the 85 and 95.
I flew the Sage 95 from 90 to 93 all up. And the Sage size 85 at 85 all up.
Launching:
The light material makes launching very straightforward even in no wind. In a strong breeze, the Sage comes quickly after 75 %, and control is needed to stop it overhead. Overall it is very easy and straightforward to launch.
In the air:
First contact with the brakes, and I’m already a happy pilot! Short, moderate pressure, super direct! Linear! high authority on the brakes for the pilot, like (never) seen on a 2 liner yet! :-)
And I thought I had seen them all…
I felt that there was a slight feedback coming from the brakes, a bit similar to the Trango-X, with even more dynamic turning behavior. A bit of weight-shift and pulling the brakes is a "ballet dance”!
The Sage with 92 all up delivers a high authority on the brakes to place it inside any core, and any thermal, with a pleasurable linear feel! Now I can enjoy the rest of the test :-)
After test-flying the Artik 7 P and experiencing nice handling, I was blessed by test-flying the Sage which took handling and agility to even another level!
The Brakes feel exactly like an extension of your arms. Any movement on the brakes are prompt command to the glider that responds immediately in moderate air. In strong stuff, it is logically better to load the glider at max, and this will give you the needed authority to control it in strong turbulent air. Of course, the aspect ratio of 6.4 and the 2-line design need sometimes in heavy turbulence a little more patience and control. If I was in the same conditions on a super agile high B, perhaps I could turn it swiftly.
But again, the difference between a Photon and a Sage in turbulent strong cores, is that the authority on the brakes on the Sage gives you more control over the speed range with lower inputs, rather than longer inputs and slower reactions on the Photon. I described those two because, for a week, I was alternating flights, sometimes in one day, in the same conditions, to see and experience that big difference in handling. Saying all that, I find that the Photon handling gets better after 40 hours, and it is quite responsive only in moderate and homogenmous thermals.
Moving back to the Sage, I think the description (pleasurable, agile and obedient handling is its highlight)
Overall feel:
In moderate air, the Sage delivers nice feedback, allowing you to be aware of what’s going on without too much information. I mean, the Sage is not a dull glider, and it will be much appreciated by the keen pilot, as it gives the right spices with a very taught and homogenous structure.
In stronger conditions, the Photon/Lyght and the Sage deliver the same amount of pilot demand. It's in the weak and moderate thermals that this nice feedback is delivered clearer on the Sage.
The Photon and Lyght feel more dampened in all axes in weak to moderate air. Both the Photon/Lyght and the Sage need a good 2-liner pilot when conditions are rough.
In the strong punchy lift, the Sage informs you about the conditions, in a very healthy matter, and under the Sage, you are the master of the moment by having higher authority on the brakes to guide, and place it wherever you want!
Climb rate:
Flying the Sage, in weak and moderate thermals, I found myself very efficient, and I was able to stay near the best climbers in the 2-liner category.
Glide:
I did lots of glides with a photon, a Lyght, and different gliders in the C or D category. In that aspect, I think the Sage is very similar to the Mint, with very good glide capabilities and slightly better float-ability. I will update my findings in the C/D chart.
Ears are made with outer B’s. They are efficient in descent.
The B steering is efficient in controlling the pitch and has moderate pressure.
The speed over trim is around 15 km/h, and the pressure is moderate, as on the Photon and Lyght.
Sage size 85.
If the Sage 95 has nice and pleasurable handling with an Impress4 harness...what to expect from the Sage 85 with an Arrow P light harness!
Well… Just the purest form of flying pleasure. No more comments! :-)
Glide and climb are very similar, and the top speed is around 14 km/h over trim.
Conclusion:
Skywalk moved the brake attachment points on the Mint far back to the trailing edge. They are now sweeter, with moderate pressure and nice handling!
The Sage joins the 2-liner C lass elite gliders, and of course, requires the pilot level for that 2-liner class.
The overall performance, and float-ability, at trim and at the speed bar is quite usable and efficient for the C class pilot!
It can packed small for serious Hyke and fly adventure. A lovely piece of equipment! And it looks beautiful in the air :-)
