Triple Seven Rook 4 Light size S (80-98)
DISCLAIMER:
How many of you EN-B pilots didn’t even try to fly a Rook 4 ? Guys…I must say you missed something exceptional! You all know me; I don’t publish any bold statement if I’m not 100% convinced of the results.
I am not claiming that the Rook 4 surpasses the C-class 2-liners, for example. I am not! But to have such a complete glider with 9/10 ratings in everything is exceptional.
If you love paragliding, please try some of my recommended gliders from different manufacturers in the B, C, D categories just for your own curiosity and also mine. For me, and I hope for you too, it is a process of self-cultivation. But be sure to test-fly them at the optimal load weight. That would be interesting to experience for a passionate adept.
The test:
After the excellent Rook 4 normal version, Triple Seven released a light version, the Rook 4 Light. (R-Light 4)
https://777gliders.com/gliders/r-light-4/
I flew that glider at 96 all-up with my Flow Vista XC harness.
Construction and details.
I am used to unboxing new gliders every 15 days sometimes…I can spot a different look very quickly.
The risers are ‘impeccable.’ The straps are sturdy, look robust, yet simple. The lines and construction details are flawless! It is indeed very well built.
I will post a picture of those risers for you to see my point.
Launching:
Even in nil wind, the Light fabric on the R-Light 4 enables a smooth launch without any hard point. In a little 5 km/h breeze, the launch is flawless. Easy, without anything to mention, for the high B class.
In a stronger breeze, the glider just rises without any surges. For a B class pilot, it is perfect.
In the air:
I flew the R4 light on three occasions, with lots of friends beside me. Some on their C’s, D’s, and also B’s. Each time I land, we speak about the flight. Sometimes, pilots flying next to me reported some turbulence; others with higher skills said that it was a bit shaky. Not once under the R light 4 have I experienced turbulence…Probably in the current flying days, no turbulence was enough to be felt under that R-Light 4! Afterward, I have concluded that the pitch and roll are very balanced yet very ’smooth’.
I could feel the smooth roll, but I was never overwhelmed or, should I say, ‘out-of-track' as some gliders behave in turbulent air. The pitch is very stable! There’s no shooting forward or even a slight pitch back. No pitch back, just cut and climb smoothly and efficiently for a high-rated B class glider.
I have repeated the word ’smooth’ many times. In fact, that’s the most suitable word for the R4 Light S at 96 all up. Imagine yourself sitting very comfortably on your favorite couch, just enjoying the moment.
That’s the picture I got when I test-flew the R-Light. Again, I would be very curious about your experience on that glider, and I hope that some of you will get back to me after flying it!
Handling and turning behavior:
The brake pressure is on the moderate side, with linear, very precise control. You need just 10-15-20 cm to satisfy your cravings on a beautiful turn. The R4 light will obey your every command, even with the smallest inputs. (off the record) I am also test-flying another beautiful high-B glider, the Zoom XHB, and the handling is incredibly good. I am writing this to tell you that both gliders gave me a lot of pleasure!
I am really lucky to have experienced both. But both have very different feels…
The R-Light 4 behaves exactly like an original high B class, and the XHB, which is incredibly good and super nice to fly, with its higher aspect ratio of 6.1, behaves and delivers a feel close to some moderate 3-liner C’s, like the Advance Sigma 12 DLS, for example, with a B class rating.
Every glider is destined for a special group of pilots.
I will point out more details on the XHB written test later.
Now back to the 777 R-Light 4.
I enjoyed every thermal, from very weak to strong ones 6 m/s, with very close similarities for pilot control (meaning the R-Light 4 is a very balanced High B glider)
Glide and climb:
To assess this feature, I had help from my friend Milo, an exceptional pilot who usually flies D’s and CCC’s. I gave him a Rush 6 size MS. He flew it at 94 all up. The Rush 6 is a new one with 5 hours !!
We climbed together in many thermals, weak and strong, and we could conclude that both gliders are very, very close in climb. The differences are negligible or there is no difference. It depends on the pilot's placement inside the thermal core.
We also did some glides. In those mentioned loads, the R-Light 4 has around 1 km/h faster trim speed! The glide when the Rush 6 pushes the speed bar to match my trim speed favors the R-Light 4 by a small margin. When I pushed the speed bar to half, the glide of the R-Light 4 was still slightly superior. At full bar, the R4 light is slightly faster, and the glide angle is similar when both gliders are matched for speed.
When flying at full bar, the B/C steering system lets you control pitch movements with moderate pressure. But it is not as efficient as a 2-liner! For sure.
Ears can be done with outer A’s, and they have moderate stability. The pilot should remain centered to prevent excessive roll during this maneuver. A sink rate of -2m/s without the speed bar. If pulled with higher reaching and speed bar, I think -3.5 could be achieved.
Conclusion:
With the R-Light 4, Triple Seven is delivering a light, compact-to-pack, agile, smooth, soft, incredibly efficient high-B glider with top-end performance for daily XC use.
I am saying that for the last 3 years, perhaps 85 % of the newly added high-B gliders are really good.
But a few stand out, probably just a little bit more.
And as this is a super positive review! Ziad, after all these years, must have been hallucinating :-)
Perhaps I am…The age does take its toll :-)
But the best experience is for you, the high B pilot, to try for yourself!
I would be very curious to hear your feedback if you had the chance to test-fly the R-Light 4 ( at the right load)
Who am I?
More than 400 gliders on www.dustoftheuniverse.com. No ads, no publicity, not a single penny from manufacturers; I pay for 90% of my gliders. The other 10% are borrowed and go back. I own a food business company, far away from paragliding. I chose to keep my passion separate from business so I can enjoy every second.
