Delta 5 MS & ML
I know many pilots are waiting for that glider, therefore I’m going to say a few words about it and wait for the performance tests to be done later with another 2 liner C, Photons, etc…in order to tell you exactly how it performs.
Meanwhile, let me state the obvious.
Take off of the MS at 92 and on the ML at 101.
Launching is easy, without a hard point. Overall easy to launch.
In the air, the brake travel is short, direct, precise, and gives the pilot high authority on the brakes to hold, steer the glider in turbulence. Nothing to do with the Photon. With slightly moderate to firm pressure, the pilot is the master under the Delta 5.
To compare it with the Zeolite 2 GT, the Rush 6 in brake control is different. The D5 is short and direct, the Zeolite 2 GT is slightly longer and smoother. The Rush 6 is lighter, slightly longer.
After flying this glider in some rough air, strong conditions, I can flawlessly say:
The structure is very rigid, very taught, very homogenous, like nothing, and I mean (Nothing) I have already seen in all the tested gliders. No moving parts in that glider :-) Just a solid, firm, compact structure! 
In high turbulence, it requires active pilot control, specifically for a two-season high B pilot. Not more. Easy to handle and comfortable to fly, but it is definitely a C-class glider that should be treated as such.
In certifying the Delta 5, a collapse line was used to simulate the collapse. In all my flying in some high-risk areas, I only encountered a minor tire deflation without any consequences. I cannot comment on its behavior after real air and time collapse, but I can confirm that this one is very tough to close!
The trim speed is fast to enter through the airmass, and very efficient! There’s no hanging back if properly loaded from +,- 92 on the MS and +,- 101 on the ML.
It behaves like the Photon in cutting forward, which is impressive. As I mentioned, the performance has to be done later. (With video) But looks very promising.
The speed bar has moderate pressure. The leading edge stiffens even more when pushing the speed bar! The B handles at trim speed have moderate pressure and can easily control the glider. When applying the speed bar, the B handle becomes a bit lighter, but it can also efficiently control the D5 overhead.
Ears can be done by the outer A’s but need a bit of height and strong arms. Ears with outer B’s are easy to do.
The stall speed is very low…and forgiving, but for sure keep conscientious when applying the lower speeds.
Ozone designs and creates gliders, sometimes…to say the least, out of this world. :-) Like the Delta 2, which was something unique in its feel and. brake reactivity in the air, (MS0) at the time.
This Delta 5 was secretly created by perhaps the Elf Lords in some remote mountains hideouts sewn with mithril threads! ;-) Forgive me for the inspiration :-)
But…I am sure that this ring of power will embrace both high B and high C pilots altogether for some serious magical flights!
More to come :-)
Delta 5 (Performance)
The majority of pilots demand performance, but what is performance? Is it the glide angle in calm air? Is it the glide at full speed?
For keen pilots, performance is the most efficient way for a paraglider to move forward and glide effortlessly into the air mass without losing altitude. Dolphin-nig is the right way to describe the latest profile created by Ozone, implemented on the Zeno2, Photon, and now also used on the Delta 5.
Doing some glides in still air next to the Photon, the Delta has a lesser glide angle, and it sits exactly between the Delta 4 and the Photon in terms of glide angle.
But… the ability of that Delta 5 to get through difficult airmass is not seen yet on any six aspect ratio or easy two liner C! Saying that, when stuck in a place that you need to get out, the Delta 5 has the same (efficiency) as the Photon to surf upward the airmass. That ability is only found under that profile, which allows you to move forward and upward without bumping or pitching into the air mass. That's a big plus for me with the six aspect ratio, and it's easy to use a 2-liner C!
As for the climb rate, I found out that the Delta 2 has the same climbing abilities as the Photon, and will never miss a thermal to its sister if they are close.
The full speed of (around) 14 km/h over trim holds an excellent glide angle, and it's easy to keep your feet in moderate turbulence.
Conclusion:
My forecast for the Delta 5 is that it will be extremely popular because it encompasses all the key ingredients, from ease of flying and direct handling to efficient and mostly usable performance, which will appeal to the majority of pilots worldwide. Waiting for the Alpina 5 :-) Which should come later!
Cheers,
Ziad
