NOVA Mentor 4 S

NOVA Mentor 4 S

Upon NOVA statement that the Mentor 4 is a step forward in performance compared to the Mentor 3, here’s the M4 in S size flown from 94 to 98 all up.

Launching is straight forward for the B category.

Once in the air the Mentor 4 feels more alive than the ‘3” and less than the ‘2’ version.
The brake response is direct and precise and puts the Mentor 4 in the middle of the M2, and M3 version in terms of responsive character .

It is not like the M2 which was short and super direct, but also not like the M3 which lacked a bit of linear response.
NOVA nailed it with a direct and nicer handling and more performance oriented than the M 3.

Climbing in weak thermals ( 0.5m/s) at 94 all up on the M4 is average… I cannot say that it has the best climb in the B category, but it could be very close to the M3.

In punchier thermals and facing the valley breeze, the Mentor 4 shows it’s potential to wipe out the M2, and M3 off the bench ! The M4 cuts through and climb going forward like a high end performance glider !

This cutting and going through the airmass is the strongest point of the M4 when loaded near the top weight ! Climbing in strong thermals facing the valley breeze is enhanced on board the M4 and could be very competitive with the class above.

The trim speed of the M4 is higher than the one on the M3 similarly loaded.

In turbulent conditions the M4 needs more active piloting than an M3 , and could be slightly less than the M2 or same in terms of pilot control .

Now comes the interesting performance part….

To give you an exact answer about the Mentor 4 glide performance, I did several long glides with some recent B ,C and last an ‘out of the box’ 7.0 ar , 2014 ,very well known ,3 line, D glider !, in calm and in moving conditions.

Of course the climb rate and the floating ability of a 7.0 AR D glider is un-matchable…but it was a very interesting information for me to know how the Mentor 4 glides among today’s B,C and D gliders. And the surprise came…

I can easily confirm now, that the glide angle of the Mentor 4 S loaded at 98 is very ….very…competitive especially facing the valley breeze and surprisingly superb at second bar !, and that would be a big surprise for many after the test movies will be released …

Conclusion:
NOVA has built a super ‘performance’ B glider. The climb in weak is average to good for the category but the Mentor 4 will take you on dream glides at trim…”or should i say” especially at full speed !!
Like it’s predecessors, the hard part is trying to beat this glider in glide !

UPDATE :  6/9/2015 
 Hi,
First i do have to apologize for my test of the Mentor 4 S test concerning the climb rate.I think it's slightly better than i said and expected...
Even for an everyday flyer surprises can happen...But they are hopefully updated if felt otherwise...

Flying the Mentor 4 S at 95 all up does in fact need some 'different' approach and reaction from the pilot to get it in a good climb inside weak thermals unlike all the B gliders i have tested in the past years...
Explanation: When entering a weak thermal it's better to let the Mentor 4 without any brakes at all, then when the pilot must turn inside the little lift, weight shift (Distance between hang points ±47 cm for the S ) and apply ONLY a very slight pressure on the inside brake ( may be 5 cm of travel and less than 1 kg of brake pressure) with no pulling in the outside brakes. (Let the glider float and surf the air ... )
When it's turbulent, block it and release...
Other B gliders can be slowed inside a small very "narrow" and weak thermal, but the M4 doesn't like at all to be slowed for an efficient climb ,(even in the narrow and weak ! ) as it won't be able to embrace this 0.5 m/s weak thermal.
In this method i could get the Mentor 4 S to experience better climb even in weak thermals !
I learned that the Mentor 4 S liked to be left alone to surf the air-mass even in weak lifts... So no braking is required to surf up-ward
After all those years I'm still learning, feeling the gliders and discovering new possibilities everyday !
Sorry for any mishaps...
Cheers,
Ziad.

Windtech BALI, S EN-B

Windtech BALI

Bali is the new 2015 Windtech EN-B glider . The size S (80-100) is the glider I test flew from 93 to 97 all up with different harnesses.

The Bali has a few lines, with 2 thick lines on the A’s per side, with 7 lines /side and it’s a pure 3 line glider.

The construction that appears in transparency above me is well built with lots of work to support the fewer lines.

The brake lines passes through a very small ceramic ring, with very close diameter to the brake line !

Take off is fine, but I can feel the few supported lines by the reaction of the glider when kiting.

First flight at 93 all up with a Woody Valley X-Rated 6 harness (slightly agile) worked fine for me. The turning radius was nice with a moderate to slightly long brake travel, but in this configuration the Bali was slightly more agile than an Iota I was testing at the same time.



The climb rate in weak conditions less than 0.3 m/s was average to good at 93 all up as I was matching the climb of the Iota. The trim speed is around 38 km/h and the top speed is only 8 km/h over trim.

In strong thermals the Bali pitches back a little for a second and climb quickly in the core. It is efficient in the climb as the pilot could slow it a bit and make a stationary turn inside the core.

Gliding next to the latest B’s showed a moderate to good glide to the Bali that needs constant push on the bar to match the trim speed of the latest B concurrence especially at that load.

Getting on a heavier Exoceat harness with 97 all up wasn’t really a good idea in weak conditions, as the Bali doesn’t really like to be heavily loaded. And the very stable Exoceat harness for higher aspect ratio glider, was limiting the roll movements and swift weight shifts . I wasn’t able to turn the Bali as it was on the agile WV harness. Some gliders needs good weight shift and more alive harnesses.

The top speed, I got flying it at 97 was +9 km/h over trim.

Big ears with the outer A lines are big, stable and are efficient with the bar .They reopen smoothly.

Only in punchy and strong conditions, the Bali moves a bit and needs a good B pilot to control it, much like some other high-end B gliders with fewer attachment points.

Conclusion: Today’s B class is the fiercest class of all! It's the main artery on which manufacturers feed ! Competition here is really strong !

In that particular period, i was test flying four new B’s. So every time i swapped gliders, the feeling under was immediately noticeable.


The Bali has a fairly good overall performance to fit inside the high B category. It’s better to fly it at 60% of the weight range and with a good weight shift harness to get the pleasure pack with it.

Bigger brake rings would be slightly better for lesser friction, and more top speed would be welcomed.

But gliding at full speed is still very good ,and many pilots may be won’t need to use more.



 

Air Design Rise 2 Superlight

AD Rise 2 70-90 superlight.

The first Rise 2 test was made on the M size regular version . Here is the S size super light version flown at 90 all up .
The lines on the Superlight are all unsheathed . The risers however are very close to the normal version with very solid construction. The Rise 2 Superlight is very well made to the last detail.Looking closely at the glider showed a very good and neat construction that gives you the feeling of a lasting one.

The take off is straight froward and easy.
In the air the immediate feeling of comfort is present ,like the normal version. May be in turbulent and strong conditions the wing is 5 % more sharp, but it stays very comfortable inside the high-end B category.

The turning ability is also very similar to the normal version and the Small size loaded at top gave me a good handling .The brake travel and pressure are moderate and the wing responds nicely to brake inputs.

It’s a delight to steer with the C risers with efficient control in moderate conditions.

The glide is similar to the Rise 2 i tested before and the accelerator requires a moderate push and still efficient .
Conclusion: AD has built a light and easy B glider with very good performance and high accessibility. A glider that packs small and can enable a regular B pilot to fly comfortably, in every thermal around the world.

ADVANCE Lightness 2

ADVANCE Lightness 2

The 2015 Lightness 2 is ADVANCE new light harness and the replacement of the old Lightness 1.

As usual, ADVANCE products are a pleasure to un-box, for their superb quality and the excellent workmanship.
The materials, the sewing, and the design of the Lightness 2 couldn’t be compared to any recent light harness. It is a class of it’s own by the purity of a high-end, very well engineered piece of equipment.

Comfort in the air :
Having flown many pod harnesses, ADVANCE seat-less board Lightness 1 and, Impress 3 were the most comfortable ones for the flying position as they deliver un-matched body support in the air.
The Lightness 2 with it’s 3 kg, inherited this incredible comfort of a superb back support !

The roll movements of the Lightness 2 are slightly more than the ones on a WV GTO or a Genie light but less than the lightness 1 , as there’s an option of adjusting the chest strap.
It is also slightly more roll stable than an Impress 3 who had some un-necessary 2 cm ‘roll slack’ on each side.
The lightness 2 pilot will feel a more compact roll movement as if he is a part of the harness.

On the lightness 2, i could just let my feet rest on the front part of the pod without a single effort to keep my feet leveled ! With all the harnesses i flew, except the Impress 3, i had to sustain a slight effort to keep my feet horizontally inside the pod.
Inside the Lightness 2, the feet are supported in some ingenious way, that they just rest straight as if you were on a bed ! Very relaxing on long flights.

The weight shift on the seat-less Lightness 2 are more efficient than on the Impress 3 .
A seat-less harness doesn’t have a pressure point on your thighs ,like the edge of a seat board does provide for an efficient feeling in turns, but the lightness 2 new geometry is close to this efficient and precise turning feel !

The light materials used for a warm pod are excellent. I was flying for an hour in +3 C to +5 C inside this pod and i was perfectly warm and feeling great !

One small detail: The storage under the seat should bear a strap in order to support a +3 kg water ballast. Without this strap a small ball shape of the ballast is shown from the outside under the pilot. It’s very easy for anyone to sew or add one if needed…

I’m waiting curiously for the Impress 4 as a regular XC and comp harness with a more heavy duty use. Especially at this level of comfort !
But would also wish for even an adjustable roll movement control…

Conclusion:
From all the harnesses i flew especially among the light ones, the Lightness 2 stands as the most comfortable, for a superb back and hip support.
With a light glider, and the ADVANCE compact rucksack, All equipment will be under 10 kg.
The simplicity and magic of flying will keep you even more enchanted.

Cheers,
Ziad.

GIN GTO 2 S

GIN GTO 2 S

The GTO 2 is the replacement of the old EN-D GTO first version.
I flew both the S and M size of the GTO 1 and commented at the time about the difference of behavior in the air, as if it was completely another glider.
I wasn’t really happy of the S size at the time, and the M size was much better in homogeneity and feel. It was indeed a floater with an impressive climb rate .

Here’s the second version :
Launching the GTO 2 S in nil wind require a very light pull as the glider inflates quickly and getting airborne is immediate ! In more windy conditions some slower pulls are required .

The factory settings of the brake travel is a bit long for my 94 all up weight on the S (80-95) size.
Half a wrap on the brakes and I’m set to attack the first thermal.
10 cm of brake travel is needed to initiate a turn ! You don’t need more.

In homogenous thermals the GTO 2 S turns like a lady ! Not too agile but also not too dull. The right amount for the outstanding 7.0 AR glider.
The pilot under the GTO 2 S doesn’t feel any yaw movements, but the glider does look a bit busy .
The pitch behavior is dampened for that class of gliders. The roll also is very well coordinated.
On the second day i found myself in a thermal on the lee side .It was a bit turbulent to let me know that the GTO 2 S is indeed a high performance glider that should be treated with the understanding of the level it was designed for. Nothing much for the ken pilot it is designed for !
The ability to turn when the conditions are difficult and punchy will affect a bit the turning behavior of the GTO 2 S. The glider needs a little time to react at my commands. But eventually will follow . It just needs a bit more time to settle it’s energy…
For an aspect ratio of 7:0 i liked the handling.

The climb rate at max weight is good but i found the best is to fly this glider 3 kg from top weight. At 92 ,the S size climb like no other could…Especially in those bullet thermals, the ability to shoot high up is amazing !
I was flying next to an IP 6 as loaded as mine (92 for me ),( 99 for him on the 23 ) and the climb did in fact surprised us both !

Now the best part is yet to come …

Gliding the S size next to the IP 6 at trim with those loadings showed a slight positive trim speed for the GTO 2 and also a 0.1 better glide . That’s on the S size ! The M size will be tested shortly

The speed at full bar for both (pulleys overlapped) are identical !
With a similar glide angle slightly favoring the GTO 2 S…

The structure feels very solid and coherent at all times, like it is not going to collapse…At least that’s the feeling under it !

In full accelerated mode, the second bar is a bit hard to push .
The GTO 2 S felt more pressurized to the point that i didn’t feel the wing anymore. Just the sound of the wind, and some wave roll movements. May be i must adapt a bit to hear and understand it better at that speed.
The C risers becomes a bit loose. A gentle pressure will enable the pilot to feel it more .

Big ears are doable and fairly stable with most important a (stable structure) .
They are very efficient with the bar ! They reopen gently by themselves.

Conclusion:
With the arrival of the GTO 2 ,IMHO, GIN has created a well sorted D glider that has everything to be on the top category leaders !
It is of course a high performance glider ,not a low D glider like the Mantra 4, Omega 8, Peak 2, …
Just “slightly” a step further.
Flying it in strong conditions will need the experience of an advanced pilot to extract those amazing performances safely…
Among the latest high end D’s i have tested (M6, IP6 ) the GTO 2 S is a very competitive glider in every way if carefully loaded !

NIVIUK Artik 4 25

 











 NK delayed all my ordered gliders . Artik 4 probably in + 8 months … !! or never...
It was an obvious and clear message. Thank you … :-)
Got many supporting emails… Two pilots even offered to send me their gliders (Really grateful) …
Or an immediate purchase from anywhere in the planet, thanks to all the superb friends in the social media network !
One option taken :
The ARTIK 4 25 is here  :-)
OLivier Nef designs with the Artik 1/2/3 was very good .
First impressions on the Artik 4 seems interesting ...  ;-) 
NIVIUK Artik 4 25

I had received many emails concerning this glider, and i got one against all odds…for a test flight.

I spent time comparing it with one of the best C glider of the moment in terms of climbing and gliding.

The Artik 4 25 launches very easy .It doesn’t shoot forward and stays gently above the pilots head.

Once in the air, the Artik 4 gave me this immediate confidence inspiring feel, ( pillow feel ) , which is becoming more and more difficult to find in today’s C category.

First thermal and the Artik 4 quickly follow the pilots commands in a smooth and obedient circle…The feeling underneath is surprisingly comfortable !

The brakes are relatively medium to short on the size 25 , flying it 90 all up with moderate to light pressure, linear ,precise ,and the Artik 4 can be described as quite agile !
I could place the Artik 4 in the tightest thermal !
Suits perfectly my taste in turning ability and brake feel .

Despite having only 2 lines on the A, and B, risers, the Artik 4 is very coherent and move as a whole structure, without any weaknesses to the airfoil. The energy retention when going for wing overs is very good ! The structure seems very solid !


Gliding performance:
Despite it’s easiness in flight and the superb handling, the Artik 4 gave me the surprise of the year in gliding power !

Going head to head with another high C glider (A 5) at trim speed for about 12 km, showed an equal trim speed and glide with a slight favor to the Artik 4 ! ! (Video soon )
…At second bar the Artik 4 has a speed around 54 km/h at 1000 ASL.

The glide and speed at full bar matches exactly the Alpina 2 SM i have here. (same loadings)

As for the climbing ability the Artik 4 showed me a potential only found on the high C’s . It climbs in the weak thermals (- 0.2 m/s ) as the A5 does… Low saves are indeed saved with the A4 …
I sensed that the key is let this glider fly at trim even in the weakest thermals especially when facing the valley breeze. It seems to be more efficient hands up.



Big ears are stable, and a great way to get down if coupled with bar. Wing overs are a delight.The pilot can get over the glider on the second wing ! 360’s gets you down real quick. The Artik 4 will put it’s pilot or the new comer from a B glider in his comfort zone but don’t forget the strong energy retention .


My earlier mishaps with NIVIUK about refusing to sell me the A4, did in fact put lots of suspicions in my mind …It was easy to purchase one…even from the Esquimo people …
Honestly…I never thought it will have this complete package !
I don’t know why NIVIUK was trying to hide that glider !
The administration must trust more their R&D creations …

Conclusion: I’m writing this last paragraph , and i’m still thinking of this well sorted glider…
NIVIUK has built an easy C with a high “fun” factor !
It has a moderate aspect ratio, cool handling, crazy performance in this (medium) C segment.


UPDATE:
Pushing the bar at max speed looses a bit in glide, and the flying in strong conditions needs active piloting as the structure snakes around.

SOL Lotus one

SOL Lotus one M

The last DHV 2-3 glider I had from SOL was the Torck. Its climb rate and nice handling impressed me. It was a bit slow.

Here’s the Lotus one M for a test flight.

The beauty of this glider shape in the air is a sight for the eyes!

The Lotus one has all unsheathed lines .It is a bit heavy comparing it to other C gliders.

The take off need a progressive pull on the A’s but ok for the high C category.

In the air the glider gives a comfort feel. This test was made after flying the Triton 2, and surely the Lotus one is more comfortable in the air. The Lotus needs more ‘finesse’ and piloting level as a Delta 2 and slightly less than a Mantra 6.

The brakes pressure is considered a bit heavier and shorter than a D2. The handling is smooth and nicely coordinated.

The climb rate in weak and broken thermals even loaded at 100 all up is ‘exceptional’!

This glider knows how to hug a thermal like a passionate woman who doesn’t let go…

Gliding in zero wind doesn’t really show the Lotus potential unless the valley breeze settles in…then the Lotus cuts trough and climb efficiently. Some C gliders will move, bump and surges, but the Lotus one will climb and move forward. This is the most important feature in a glider and the Lotus has it !

Loaded at 100 the Lotus one M has a relatively faster trim speed than many C gliders with the same size and load. It has a slightly similar trim speed as the Triton 2 S.

Flying it in different conditions gave me an idea of its character.

It is slightly more demanding to fly than a Delta 2 M , and for sure it’s a high end C glider.

Ears are stable and they open smoothly.

The top speed is around 54 km/h taken at 1500 ASL.

Conclusion: The Lotus may not be the most agile C glider or the easiest one, but SOL introduced to the market an efficient and very competitive high-end C with a relatively comfortable ride and coherent structure.

Harness update ( Exocet/Race 3)

Harness comparisons:
Genie Race 3- Exocet - Impress 3 M – Genie Race 2- Genie Light – WV GTO- WV X-rated 6
/ With Impress 2 + , as reference.

Most comfortable seated harness. As 1 being most comfortable.
1-Impress 3
2-Genie Race 2 / Exocet
3-WV X-rated 6
4-Genie Light / Impress 2 + / Genie Race 3 /
5-WV GTO (being fairly comfortable also)

Most comfortable in roll (In moving conditions). As 1 being most comfortable.
1-Exocet - Genie Race 3
2-WV X-rated 6
3-Genie Light - WV GTO
4-Impress 2 +
5-Genie Race 2
6-Impress 3

Most easiest accelerator system (1 being more efficient travel)
1-Genie light / Genie Race 2 / Impress 3 / Genie Race 3
2-Impress 2+ - WV GTO- Exocet

Best combination:
Exocet and Race 3 are harnesses that could erase a bit the yaw effect on high aspect ratio gliders. They are also roll stable .

Which size ?
(test were made by a pilot measuring 1.82 and 75 kg)

Genie Race 3 M (Fits perfectly and could support a 1.83 / 80+ kg pilot )
WV X-rated 6 L ( Fits at the extreme margins )
Genie Light M ( Fits perfectly and could support a 1.83 / 80 kg pilot )
WV GTO L ( Fits at the extreme margins )
Genie Race 2 ( Fits perfectly and could support a 1.83 / 80 kg pilot)
Impress 3 M ( Fits perfectly and could support 'max' a 1.83 / 80 kg pilot )
Exocet M ( Fits nice...Felt that I’m pampered. Surrounds me completely .Could easily support an 1.85 / 80+ pilot )


Conclusion:
The WV GTO and the Genie Light are intended for the recreational pilot that wants a light pod.They are easy and a pleasure to fly .
The Impress 3 is the most comfortable seated harness, but has a bit more roll than the others and would need some time to adapt under it …
The Genie Race 1 is a harness oriented for competitions or for pilots looking for refined sensations. It has more roll than the Impress 2 + but its roll is limited to a certain angle and then it stops allowing its pilot to re-adjust under the glider. The pilot will not feel disoriented, but some flights are required to adapt to this excellent harness. The only bad side is its high weight. Beside that it is an excellent harness with every detail a pilot would think of…A full professionally made, complete harness. I liked it very much.
The Race 3 has everything a competition pilot will look for… The back comfort is slightly less than the Race 2 and it is more roll stable. The seating is a bit stiff but ok.
The Exocet is a comfortable harness that envelops and surrounds completely the pilot .


Cheers,
Ziad.

GIN Genie Race 3

I'll post a comparison shortly with WV X-rated 6 / WV GTO / Genie Race 3 / Exocet .
Cheers,
Ziad.

Ozone Swift 4 SM

Ozone Swift 4  SM

After test flying the Rush 4 here’s is the light version the Swift ready to take off…

Launching is even smoother and very easy.

First turn and i was immediately smiling :-)   The brake travel is medium to short with excellent precision and linear feel through the pull.  After testing the D2,A2,Buzz Z4, Rush 4, M6, Ozone really never missed a good handling. The Swift have nothing less is turning ability .

This superb handling is coupled by a very pitch neutral behavior ! After many flights i can confirm that the Swift is smoother than the Rush 4 in thermals. It doesn’t move around as much as the Rush 4 !  It feels like the same difference between Delta 2 and Alpina 2. The Swift 4 is more comfortable to fly and even more efficient in climb rate in weak conditions than the Rush 4 !

The accelerator pull is smooth and has a medium to low pressure .In full accelerated mode which is fully usable, the Swift 4 is very stable and has an impressive glide !

Totally usable and confidence inspiring, the Swift is a glider for adventure flights in some remote areas where the pilot should expect a comforting feel under his glider.

Ears are stable, and landing is very easy with good low speed capability.

Conclusion: The only thing i wished for is a faster trim and top speed. The Swift has the same trim speed as the Rush 4 which is less a bit from the concurrence . But the glide angle fully accelerated is on top of the category for the same speed at least.

No IP7, IP 8, Artik 4 .... etc....   :-)

The truth, the plain truth, and nothing but the truth … ?

After my personal and honest Niviuk Peak 3 test in May 2013, i was received in Saint Hilaire festival on the Niviuk stand by an angry and hysterical Niviuk owner…
All i could say angrily, is that i am still convinced by what i wrote and everything went smoothly afterward.

In June 2013 i ordered an IP 7 and followed it up ,but never received to this day…!
In early September i ordered an Artik 4 25 but didn’t get a answer. In Saint Hilaire 2014, i confirmed again with the export manager at the time that didn’t show me the Artik 4 25 …Two minutes later, It was claimed by a pilot who got it while i was still on the stand !!!  ;-)   

Later after many exchanged emails. I understood that Niviuk won’t send me any glider to test fly …May be after one year of sales …  ;-) 
Olivier Nef is the coolest, kindest and among the most “gentleman designers” you will ever meet !  I respect him, and he has nothing to do with this whole mess.
Companies has structures…
I fully understand Niviuk policy as an act of respect and recognition, which reminded me of this funny ,true story.  :-)

My aunt Rose is a natural born cookie baker. She can bake different kinds of delicious cookies.
On special occasions, the whole family gather around to taste her cookies.

Some cookies are really good, some are a bit less. She’s rushes sometimes a bit to be ready for the event… ! and forget an ingredient, but they are still nice to most.

When gathered around she always ask about the taste…We don’t want to make aunt Rose angry if she rarely forgot the sugar or else …so we always say  “Delicious as always !  thanks” !  ;-)
But my other ‘always smiling’ aunt Mary who’s seven years younger than aunt Rose is very picky and direct and she always like to tease her.
All the family awaits silently aunt Mary’s comments…Some people gets angry of her criticism and always question her intentions by saying :
“Why do she always wants to say anything? lets eat, celebrate, try to digest ;-) and go on…after all this is just an event ! ”  ;-)
But she always keep telling her personal, true taste …We all laugh afterward…  :-)

Despite some direct criticism, Ant Rose respect and love her sister immensely as she said :
‘She keeps me on my toes when i’m cooking’,
But I noticed that she always gave her the first cookies only when she’s sure that they are flawless…  ;-)   Of course family cookies are free …  And that’s a different story…

NOVA Triton 2 S

Triton 2 S  

Finally and after a loooog wait the TRITON 2 S has arrived … 
As usual the quality of construction of NOVA wings is beyond a doubt a class of its own. Excellent workmanship and robust feel … 

This test concern ONLY the S size ! It will not reflect any other sizes as the M and L size could be slightly different in some ways… 

My first flight with the Triton 2 S at 98 all up was made in turbulent, punchy conditions… enabling me to open my senses, understand, and feel the glider . 


Flying my usual harness the X-rated 6 with some ballast to reach 98 all up, i launched the Triton 2 S. The launching is easy for that glider and immediate.  

First turn in a small bullet thermal , the Triton 2 S has a moderate to pronounced roll movement .The pitch behavior is average to dynamic especially in those sharp edges where the Triton 2 S would like to cut and surge ahead in the strong thermal. Catching it quickly with the brakes is no problem for a good pilot.  
In turbulent and strong conditions the Triton 2 S is indeed a lively glider.  
It moves in the air with sharp surges and quick responses to the airmass and the pilot could feel it’s energy, but luckily the brake fan is optimized to dominate this overall energy with an active pilot underneath. 

A good pilot and after some hours to acclimatize, has the power and the advantage to control every movement of the glider which at the end gives surprisingly a certain feeling of passive safety for the high C class as the whole structure seems coherent and supple sometimes . 

Describing the handling and maneuverability of the TRITON 2 S is like driving a Ferrari in turns. 
Cornering is sharp and easy with precise and direct input . 
This very good handling is the key to control the TRITON 2 S movements in order to keep it in this particular box of the targeted group of pilots it is designed for ! 

Doing some long glides with one of the best C’s of the moment, the Triton 2 S showed first a slightly higher speed than most C’s equally loaded, and a slight better glide at trim putting it in the higher top performance by a very small edge. This performance is increased when the conditions are more difficult and especially in the presence of a head wind or strong valley or sea breeze. In those conditions the TRITON 2 S has a clear advantage over the current C’s . 

Reference glide : 
Doing some long glides with an Aspen 5 26 loaded at 99 all up showed that the Triton 2 S has a faster trim speed of +0.5 km/h and a better glide angle. 
Pushing the bar for both with pulleys touching showed exactly same top end speed over a run of 5 km 

The climb rate of the Triton 2 S loaded at 96 is average to good in very weak lift . 
In more steady thermals over 1.5 m/s and choppy conditions, the Triton 2 S has the advantage to dig and climb much quicker and more efficient than C gliders .Like it’s another class … 

The top speed for the Triton 2 S with the pulleys touching, loaded at 98 and at 1000 ASL showed a ± 13 km/h over trim. I have tried it many times and i couldn’t read more on my GPS. May be i have to change it    
I felt that the Triton 2 S into wind glides are it’s strongest point where i could feel it’s ability to surf the air and move higher and forward like no other C could do… 

I am convinced now that it has the performance that could easily tickle the D class.   

Big ears are stable without pushing the bar. The pilot must pump them to open. Ears with bar are unstable.  

Then, i flew the Triton 2 S alone in another spot and then landed and flew another new C glider…and so on…all day… Alternating gliders help me to see the differences in the air.  

Flying the Elan 26, Delta 2, SM  Alpina 2 SM , Sigma 9, Queen M ,Aspen 5, etc..  in the past year gave me an idea about their behavior in turbulent conditions. The Triton 2 S stands more demanding in terms of piloting . 

Conclusion: 
For sure the Triton 2 S is (Two step) higher than a Mentor 3 in terms of piloting ! It stands strangely between a high C and a D !  
The Triton 2 S IMHO is aimed for experienced pilots with multiple hours in different conditions in order to feel at home and surely needs some respect and understanding in order to extract every bit of the outstanding performance it delivers. 
NOVA has built a C with today’s D performance, but the TRITON 2 in S size IMHO could be welcomed and cherished for a D pilot profile. 



Cheers, 
Ziad. 

Air Design RISE 2

Air Design RISE 2 M ( The surprise ! )

My last AD gliders VOLT as a C and the Rise 1 as a B. The RISE 2 is the new replacement for the B pilots.

The AD RISE 2 has a very beautiful and clean construction . The sewings on the glider and the way it is built is very neat.

Launching the RISE 2 is no more demanding as a school glider. The glider inflates and wait for the pilot to act.

In the air and first thermal the RISE 2 brake pressure is medium to heavy if you pull more than 40 cm . But the glider is steered with only 15 cm as an efficient brake travel ! It is a relatively moderate to agile glider.
The brake fan is designed to give you complete accuracy in order to carve it into thermals. I have flown this glider from weak to strong conditions, and i can easily recommend that glider as first entry to the high B class for its easiness and coolness in flight. For sure the RISE 2 is designed for big air ! The comfort is amazing …

To talk about the climb rate, i had to fly next to a Mentor 3 at the same loadings . After many weak and strong thermals, i can confirm that the climb is excellent and very similar in all kind of thermals including the difficult ones when stuck in the sea breeze !

Doing several glides more than 7 km each ! next to a Mentor 3 S (videos soon) ,showed also a similar glide angle for both , which is impressive for the RISE 2 !

Big ears are difficult to hold, especially at bar. The speed system is fairly medium to light and can get the RISE 2 M at 100 all up and 1000 ASL at 10 km/h over trim speed.

Conclusion :
The AD RISE 2 M is truly a remarkable glider for the overall performances it delivers and the huge amount of comfort it carries ! This is an impressive successful package ! For sure the top speed is a bit low and the brakes are slightly heavy…But no pilot on the RISE 2 will ever blame the wing on its into wind performance efficiency for the B class and especially on it's comfort caracteristic . Hat’s off to Air Design for that particular creation. 

 

 :-)

41th Coupe Icare Interviews

Excellent Coupe Icare this year, I met lots of nice people and i was impressed with the humility of big designers, with their very positive approach.

Lots of pilots and professionals looked very puzzled by my free tests, and asked me if I'm going to keep on doing them ...And why i am still doing this free service...

I never thought about it.

It is true that passion can outcome the hard reality and i can only reply: Because it happens that i am here, at this moment  :-)

Axis Comet 2 S

Axis Comet 2 S Opening the Axis bag and the glider showed a very good quality construction .The Comet 2 has a shark nose, thin lines on the upper layers, very sporty risers look. Performance is written just by looking on the Comet 2 . Launching the glider is uneventful for the B class. I am flying the S size 70-90 at 88 all up. First turn showed a moderate and light feel on the brakes with precise response enabling an agile turn. The Comet 2 S can be very nicely placed inside the thermals by applying the exact amount on the brakes. It has some moderate roll movements found in the B class. The pitching behavior is nearly absent ,enabling the pilot to concentrate on the flight. Loading the S size at max didn’t really affect the glider capability to climb in weak cores. In fact with it’s linear and precise handling , the weakest thermals can be easily exploited. The strongest point of the Comet 2 is it’s glide angle at trim speed . After many glides with top B gliders, the Comet 2 is outstanding ! It stands right by side and not far from the best in this category . At second bar there's more to work on as the glide deteriorate a bit. The speed system is moderate to light and easy to use ,with a top speed around 54 km/h . Big ears are very stable and a superb way to descend quickly. Wing overs are fun, and the S size is playful. Conclusion: Each glider gives a certain feeling after landing. Some are special, some are exquisite, others are less… The Comet 2 gave me the feeling of getting it airborne again ,like after a successful first date…  I think the Comet 2 is a balanced and fun glider to fly. It has everything to get it’s pilot on the longest XC’s with the pleasure of flying it. If this glider meets your budget, i recommend a test flight as soon as possible with the satisfaction that will come along !

Gradient Aspen 5

Soon,

Gradient Aspen 5 26

The size 26 is ready for take off at 99 all up. It looks like a big glider on the ground. The construction details are superb !  The rods on the leading edge of the Aspen 5 are not very long.  The A attachment points on the glider are slightly back . 

Risers are skinny and sporty, and the Aspen 5 has all unsheathed lines.

Launching the Aspen 5 in nil wind is easy just a steady pull … In stronger wind above 25 km/h be ready to control it as other C gliders…

Flying the Aspen 5 26 at 99 all up, in some turbulent cores showed a moderate roll response ,slightly more than Aspen 4 with some movements on the yaw axis.   However at that load, entering some thermals the Aspen 5 pitch back a bit then stabilize above the pilots head. It is very different in behavior from the Aspen 4 .

The brake travel is similar to the 4 with light pressure , and the turning radius is flatter. It is surely more efficient in climb than the Aspen 4 ,but with less agility for the same loadings.

The Aspen 5 gives this feeling of performance efficiency where the Aspen 4 was more oriented for fun. Surely Gradient wanted to get maximum performance out of a C.

Talking about performance lets begin with the climbing ability. After many flights and comparison with my reference glider in the C category, and with the same loadings,i can see that the Aspen 5 is very competitive with the top ones. 

The efficiency in the weak coupled with a flat turn is very good !   In punchier thermals the Aspen 5 will surely climb very well also, but will need just a second to settle after the back pitch.

In gliding power, at trim speed the Aspen 5 also showed similar performance as the top ones, but at top speed which is ±15 km/h over trim at 800 ASL, the Aspen 5 has a very interesting glide angle that could place it on top.

Big ears flap a bit, and it is better to sit in the middle or use the speed system symmetrically with this maneuver to avoid turning left or right.

It is clear that the Aspen 5 was built for efficient flying rather than a freestyle wing to throw around. But still flying it heavy can improve that feeling. 

Conclusion: With the Aspen 5 ,Gradient has successfully built an efficient XC machine to compete with this category.  

Choosing a glider comes always to a personal choice of multiple feelings and sensations that comes after a test flight .