Ozone LYGHT MS
Saturday, September 7, 2024
OZONE LYGHT S and MS
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
GIN Calypso 2. S. (75-95)
GIN Calypso 2 75-95
Wednesday, August 28, 2024
Advance Lightness 4 size M.
Advance Lightness 4 size M.
The lightness harness series from ADVANCE is famous for its highly comfortable seat-less sitting position and its light weight of around 3 kilos. ADVANCE released the Lightness 4 in June 2024, and many pilots wonder if the Lightness 4 will also be an enhanced product over the Lightness 3. Let's find out...
The Lightness 4 is created with a rear moderate-size fairing in a nice light blue color with a relatively good space inside the back pocket.
At first sight, the construction quality seems close enough to the Lightness 3.
The side zippers of the pod are small, and perhaps a bigger one could be sturdier as I was in a hurry to sit in it, I didn’t check the pod's main left attachment point that wasn’t inserted inside the left carabiner, and as soon as I pushed on my leg the left zipper snapped. It was my mistake, not to check it, at first. Check yours!
The Lightness 4 as its predecessor is a seat-less harness without having that seat-board feel even from the underneath foam protector.
Some harnesses deliver a similar seatboard feel with their still protector, like on the Arrow P. Having said that the overall feel of the Lightness 4 is very similar to the Lightness 3 which many pilots cherish and use. The side adjustments can be fine-tuned in the air. The seat adjustments are better fine-tuned before flying with a new metal adjustment part that was added for durability and replaces the old rounded plastic adjustments.
Seating position comfort:
ADVANCE added a thick pad on the back sitting position to enhance comfort.
I have sat and flown the Lightness 4 in different conditions and under different gliders from B, C, and D gliders.
Here’s my personal opinion which mainly depends on my specific body measurements. (As I always mention: Every pilot must try a harness before they buy, just because everyone has a different body shape) .
Let’s break down the sitting position into two parts:
From the lower back to the upper back and shoulder area, I think I was even more comfortable than the Lightness 3, which is probably due to that new thick comfort foam. That part is the most comfortable in a harness light or normal similar to my Impress 4.
The other part from the lower back to your sitting position resembles Lightness 1 or 2 a bit more. In the M size, with my back perfectly comfortable, the sitting position covers 3/4 of my thighs with moderate to good comfort. There are two lower straps from each side, a bit thick, (see pic) that put a slight pressure on the Pelvic area just on the top of the Femur. So perhaps I might need a Large size.
The legs are naturally supported, like sitting on a sofa.
Underneath the sitting position, I found out that you could insert a small seat plate (Type Forza2) and a bit longer one that could reach the ballast pocket (Width 30X30 cm). And that could give, the seatboard lovers, about +50 % more reaction and feel. I was happy in that configuration, but that only concerns my personal feelings...
The ballast pocket under the seat can easily fit a 4 kg water ballast.
On the other hand, the Arrow P M size, and only when using the foam protector (not with the inflatable) has a more direct seat-plate feel and position support from the lower back to your thighs. From my personal view, I would say, If only I had the sitting position of the Arrow P and the back of the Lightness 4 mixed in one harness :-)! But for 90 % of pilots, who are looking for seat-less feel, the overall sitting position of the Lightness 4 will be considered as (very comfortable).
And to be clear on the comfort it delivers, I can confirm that the Lightness 4 hammock style harness is one of the most comfortable to sit in, much like the Lightness 3 in that matter.
Roll comfort:
Having flown the Lightness 4 with different gliders I feel that the roll is slightly more tamed than the Lightness 3 and slightly less tamed than the NK Arrow.
Comparing it with the Woody Valley GTO 2 Light, I would promptly say that the Lightness 4 is much more roll comfortable.
I also felt that the ABS configuration is quite balanced and offers a very nice turning behavior. For example, flying the Lightness 4 and NK Arrow or the NK Arrow P, on the same glider with the same weight, gave me that slightly tighter radius on the Lightness 4 which gave me a high-quality flying time in thermals!
Having said that, tight turning those thermals, I thought what a harness it would be if the seating position gave slightly more authority on the outer thighs for that pressure you long for as if you are sitting in a seat harness, or probably on a slightly harder sitting position like on the Arrow P for example.
But that concerns only me who is addicted to precise weight shift authority which logically can be delivered with a hard seat sitting position.
Cockpit:
The Lightness 4 has the nice feature of opening the cockpit and reaching its contents as the one found on the Arrow. There are some magnets and also a center clip. For that kind of light harness, I found that the space inside it is quite enough though it is half the size of the normal NK Arrow.. There’s a place for your power bank.
The angle is somehow steep, but sometimes it is preferable to prevent at some specific daily hours, the reflection of the sun in the instruments into my eyes.
I just have one remark to make for the cockpit, It needs a center clipping system on the main strap, that will prevent it from swaying down when I push the bottom on my instruments. I need a stable cockpit. But that can be easily fixed if anyone adds some kind of clip.
I saw that ADVANCE updated it with a strap. But a simple carabiner will do ( see pic)
Packing:
The Lightness 4 can be packed quite small even with its foam protector, but surely any light harness with an inflatable protector would logically pack smaller.
The rescue pod is large enough to accept a Rogallo-type rescue system which I have already installed.
I also felt that the Lightness 4 delivers a lighter pressure on the speed system over the Arrow.
Chest strap:
The Lightness 4 chest strap's tighter position is around 45 cm between the carabiners. If you choose, you can release it 3 cm with a better roll. But if you release more, the result would stay the same as it wouldn’t affect the ABS. It can be easily adjusted in the air.
After take off it is easy to enter the pod with the use of a small ball or hook inserted in your shoelace. ( see pic)
Conclusion:
The Lightness 4 delivers good roll comfort for a seat-less harness. The comfortable seating position is very good, and the turning authority could be enhanced depending on your current harness.
This is a written test, but I strongly suggest that you make the effort to try and harness it before buying, and don’t rely only on any tests…They will only cover a shallow layer of the actual product. Harnesses are based on your body structure. I am just writing you one half, you have to cover the other one by a test flight.
Happy and safe landings.
Ziad
Saturday, August 17, 2024
BGD DIVA 2 -S
BGD Diva 2 S
The first certified EN-D glider from BGD has been released with an aspect ratio of 7.
https://www.flybgd.com/en/paragliders/diva-2--paraglider-2021-2188-0.html
Nice color combination for a refreshing look. The DIVA 2 construction and details are excellent. The lines are minimalistic to reduce drag as best as possible.
The DIVA 2 S size I have for the test goes from 75 to 90 all up.
I flew it at from 86 to 88 and could be easily flown at 86 and preferably in strong air at 90 all up.
Launching the Diva 2 for an aspect ratio of 7 needs a steady pull but the DIVA 2 rises well easily like the Zeno 2 for the category.
In the air, the brakes have a longer gap from the pulley about 13 cm to act on the trailing edge. That gap is important to stay that way, to get the DIVA 2 at full speed with a loose trailing edge, with no brakes. At full speed, the DIVA 2 reaches 21-22 km/h over trim and the gap of 13 cm on the pulleys returns to zero.
Handling and comfort:
One day, I flew that glider in some bad air, with inversions, and large turbulence as tandems weren’t that comfortable in the air. Earlier I flew a Zeno 2 MS to feel the air and see the difference. The first turn after a half wrap on the brakes, immediately acts on the trailing edge with a nice turn. It didn’t feel as sharp as the Zeno 2 in turns, but the turns were smoother. I needed 15 to 20 cm to turn the glider in any core in moderate air. It has a moderately long gap, but still a relatively linear and direct travel to steer the glider.
When conditions are nasty with inversions and difficult areology, the Diva 2 works in itself in yaw, but the pilot underneath doesn’t feel much of the yaw movements.
In those bad conditions, there’s a slight pitch back, and then a quick surge through the thermal. The brake authority is quite satisfying in keeping the glider where the pilot wishes.
When conditions are more normal, and homogenous, the Diva 2 pulls you inside the thermals, and the turning is more straightforward.
On the DIVA 2 S, the overall movements are similar to the Zeno 2 MS size, but smoother and less dynamic than a small Zeno 2 (same size as the Diva 2 I’m test flying).
From another pilot perspective, the DIVA 2 S looks like it moves and snakes in turbulence, but those movements are not felt as described.
Saying that it doesn’t mean that it is close to a C glider at the pilot level. Certified in the D category, with its 7 aspect ratio, the DIVA 2 surely needs a D pilot under it.
The pitch stability is high in moderate air, but when hitting strong turbulence it pitches forward like any 2-liner D, but the brakes help a lot by keeping it above the pilot's head. It also delivers a moderate to good authority on the brakes in difficult conditions!
Doing some glides with a Zeno 2 MS size at 96 all up, which is a higher size than the DIVA 2 S 75-90, showed us a really superb glide angle, at trim, at half bar, and at full bar.
We believe that the DIVA 2 S size could have a slight edge on the same size as a Zeno 2 S size if both are equally loaded especially at trim and at half bar. With the Zeno 2 MS at 96, the gap in performance was super small for the Zeno 2 MS. I think, I will get the DIVA 2 M size for an interesting comparison.
Climbing next to a Zeno 2 MS the DIVA 2 S climb rate looks quite similar. In a weak climb, it felt also very efficient.
Pilots asking about the Photon /DIVA 2/Zeno 2.
High aspect ratio gliders like the DIVA 2 /Zeno 2 fly differently than any 2-liner C. When flying in smooth air, or even in moderate air, all those gliders C and D are very close, but this conclusion is false. As soon as you fly in a moving airmass, the ability for those D gliders to get the most out of the lift lines is yet above any 2-liner C.
When you are pushing on the speed bar in a headwind, and especially in tricky air with sudden lift and thermal lift areas, then not one EN-C at the moment has the power to outperform the Zeno 2 or the DIVA 2. They are from a different level.
While on the speed bar, the B steering has a moderate, efficient pressure, as it acts swiftly on the profile.
Ears can be done by the outer A’s (they are stable and reopen with pilot action) as well by the outer B’s.
Energy is very high doing wingovers.
The stall point is a bit far, but the DIVA 2 informs well before going into a stall.
Surprisingly, it can be slowed down quite well in tight places.
Conclusion:
The DIVA 2 is a solid contender for the 2-liner D category. It holds a very high-performance package with a sweet handling in moderate air. It is quite fast, without roll movements near the full speed. It requires a D pilot to extract all those performances. I think the M size would have a little more performance while being calmer, as the logic implies. A special and interesting product to test fly!
Cheers,
Ziad
Gliders for sale new prices
UP Kibo-X 4 hours. 2500 EU (Like NEW)
BGD DIVA 2 S size (red) 4 hours. 3200 EU
FLOW. Mullet 18. 30 hours in excellent condition ( 1900 EU )
OZONE Photon MS (custom color) Blue /Green stripes). 30 hours 2800 EU
Air Design VOLT 5 MS 80-95 only 1 hour (used for comparison (NEW) 3200 EU
Friday, August 9, 2024
Triple Seven Rook 4 MS. 80-98
Triple Seven Rook 4 MS. 80-98
Saturday, August 3, 2024
New website
Hi,
I am working on a new website that will hopefully be running in a few days with the B /C chart working as well...
Sorry for the current inconvenience! 💗
Ziad.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Saturday, July 20, 2024
NIVIUK Arrow-P. M size
After the normal Arrow, which I kept for my test flying as an option for a moderately light harness, here is the new Arrow P from Niviuk. The M size weighs around 1.7 kg and it is super light.
The Arrow P construction and details are very neat, very well built, and have excellent finishing details.
The Arrow P is not only a light ‘Arrow’! Everything is different.
In this link, you can see all the details and explanations. https://niviuk.com/en/arrow-p
Despite the very small side adjustments, they are very easy to adjust, even in the air if the conditions allow it. Except for the main strap.
Of course, it would be recommended to fine-tune it at home first, but it is doable in the air.
With the Arrow P, I ordered the inflatable protection with the normal foam protection. The foam protection is stiff and light, and feels the same as the protection on my Arrow L but slightly longer with the same thickness which is very good!
Sitting on the M size for my height of 1.81 m I had to change the shoulder straps to the longer ones that were provided with the harness in order to fit nicely. My body weight is 72 kg, and this M size fits me like a glove. The Arrow P, M size sits between the M and L size of the normal Arrow.
When installing the foam back protection, and after fine-tuning it, I found myself sitting very comfortably in that super light harness!
The feeling inside it is like having no pressure points in your body as if you are sitting in a hammock, and a very comfortable one. One body, one shape. That’s the feel. The legs are naturally supported.
The overall body support and comfort are higher on the foam protector by 5 % over the inflatable protector.
The Roll movements seem similar to the Arrow L with perhaps slight more feedback, But I think it is quite roll-comfortable. The weight shift is moderate without aggressive roll movements. Just the necessary.
The pod closes with two magnets on top. Super neat.
I flew for 3 hours and landed as if sitting on my favorite couch. Very comfortable for the whole body.
This harness worked very well for me.
It's weird to say that the overall comfort in the sitting position felt slightly superior to the normal Arrow.
Let's say it has equal comfort by being on the safe side
The packing size with the inflatable protection is the smallest you can get from a complete pod harness.
With the foam protector, the packing is for sure bigger as the foam cannot be compressed more than 5 %.
Conclusion:
Pilots getting the Arrow P knows how to handle light materials. The Arrow P is no different. With all the tiny and perfected details, with special carabiners..etc…It is for sure not recommended to do acro on it if you want that harness to serve you well and long. Special care also in rough areas.
The Arrow P is a super comfortable harness and a must-try if you are looking for light gear.
Monday, July 15, 2024
NEW Gliders ....
New gliders are coming...Some this week...
777 Rook 4 (Hummmmmm.....)
BGD Diva 2 S :-)
NK Ikuma 3- P (Light version)
Maestro 2 19 Light ( What a glider!!! )
AD Sigma DLS 22- 23
NK Arrow - P (Super light harness !! )
Ozone Lyght S - MS (Hopefully soon....)
Follow me on Instagram if you want a sneak peak every week :-)
https://www.instagram.com/ziadbassil_/.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Saturday, July 13, 2024
Gliders for sale
------------------------
🛑 UP Kangri-X. S 85-100. -2 hours lime/Orange 2650 EU NEW !!---------------------------------------------
🛑 UP Kibo-X. XS. 70-90. 2 hours AS NEW ! 2650 EU!
ziad.bassil@gmail.com
UP Kangri-X
UP Kangri -X