Triple Seven Rook 4 MS. 80-98

Triple Seven Rook 4  MS.  80-98

I finally got the new high B glider from Triple Seven, the Rook 4 which replaces the amazing Rook 3.

Back for my Rook 3 review, I mentioned an excellent climb rate in weak and strong, with very good handling. The only issue was the launching behavior and the little hump on the leading edge which was noticed later on. Could 777 manage to make a better version? Let's see…

First here is the 777 link for the Rook 4 as you can see all the details. https://777gliders.com/gliders/rook-4/

The construction, details, lines stitching, etc, seem on the higher end of quality. The new risers look really nice, robust, and refined all together. 

I flew the Rook 4 MS at 95 all up, and I could feel that this would be an optimum weight for everyday use. You can of course fly it at max if you need the edge in speed and efficiency. But it seems that at 94…95 everything looked very smooth. 

Launching:

Even in light wind, the Rook 4 launches smoothly without any hard points. The launching characteristics have improved a lot over the Roo 3. Problem solved. 

In the air:

Brake feel:

The Rook 4 brake travel is slightly longer than the Rook 3 but still quite direct and efficient. The pressure on the first part after the 10 cm gap, with + 10 cm is moderate to light, then after +10 cm, they are moderate.  I can describe the Rook 4 as an agile glider for the B category. The handling and authority on the brakes are very well balanced for a clean performance turning radius. The brake feel has the right spices to get a good pilot well satisfied while coring. The Rook4 can turn tightly into the core, and also flat turns can be achieved flawlessly. 

Despite my high regard for the Maestro 2 handling, I was impressed and very satisfied by the Rook 4 brake authority which seems calm, and more educated for performance and feel. 

For example comparing the handling (Rook4/Mentor 7 S), while the brake authority on the Mentor 7 S size is very good, those tiny linear feel in the centimeters you are pulling on the brakes are much more available on the Rook 4. 

Comfort:

I flew the Rook 4 in multiple conditions on my Impress 4 harness. For a high B glider the overall movements and roll, are slightly less than the Maestro 2 and slightly more than the Rook3. 

The Rook 4 is more comfortable to fly than the Maestro 2, and also it has a feel of a much-taught structure without any soft tips, plus a very homogenous feel. 

Perhaps the Mentor 7 S feels more comfortable in movements, But I personally favor a high B balanced movements as the Rook 4 delivers.

Some pilots reading this will immediately misunderstand what I implied. I meant a high B pilot should get a well-balanced feel of the right spices under a glider rather than perhaps a too-dampened one. 

Glide:

I flew the Rook 4 next to my friend ‘Boudi’ on his Rook 3 MS 75-95 at 94 all up. We did a lot of glides and climbed together all the way. This was a marvelous test for both of us to see and feel if there were improvements or just a new model. I also flew with my friend ‘Sayed’ On his Photon ML ! while he flew loaded at 105 all up. Of course, it's another category, but it was also a good idea to see where the Rook 4 stands out in multiple conditions! 

With the Rook 3 next to me the glide in a relatively calm air at trim speed after 5 km always got the Rook 4 with around 5…7  m higher. 

Other glides were also made in lift areas facing the sea breeze, and we both could see that the Rook 4 seemed to get even higher clearance. 

Pushing on the speed bar with moderate pressure on the rook 4 also gets the same height clearance. 

At full speed with both gliders next to each other, the full-speed glide seems very close for both. 

Flying next to the Photon ML, showed that at trim speed the Photon is +1.5 km faster. Applying the speed bar to match the Photon ML I could lose a few meters after 5 km in calm air. 

Once facing the sea breeze, the Photon is from a different level for sure, but still, the Rook 4 with persistence on the speed bar could follow at a much slower rate. I was having fun with my friend teasing him a bit on the Rook 4, but knowing that if I pissed him a lot...he will probably push the speed bar and disappear ;-) 

Climb:

In very weak air, like -0.3 m/s thermals, we could both see that the Rook 3 still has that excellent float ability, but the Rook 4 is super close. When thermals get around 1 m/s, the quality of thermal entry of the Rook 4 immediately puts it upward. It slides more efficiently through the airmass. That feel of the nose pulling you through that thermal is experienced with the higher categories. 

C steering: 

The pressure on the C steering is on the firm side. Not too soft, a bit moderate to firm, but since the Rook 4 is stable on the bar in transitions, I think there would be little corrections from the C steering.  

Pulling the outside ears seems slightly unstable sometimes. When pulled a little bit, they are somehow stable, but the more lines you pull, they show a tendency to reopen, flap, and not stick underneath. 

The speed bar has moderate pressure even at full speed, with 14-15 km/h over trim at 1000 ASL. 

Conclusion:

I always comment on efficiency, rather than a glide number.  In terms of performance, the Rook 4 has those fine flying qualities to be very efficient for a high B glider, and with the exact spices that keep it on rails in thermals. The high B category is considered ‘intermediate’ gliders. The Rook 4 embodies perfectly that description in delivering a fairly comfortable glider for the category, and a high efficiency in glide through the airmass. A lovely glider to test fly if you aim for good XC flying. 

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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.

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NIVIUK Arrow-P. M size

​Here's my harness review:

Niviuk Arrow P size M
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.

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_/.

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Gliders for sale

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🛑  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 

The Kangri X is the light version of the UP Summit X I already reviewed earlier. 

Take off with the Kangri X is easy with that light cloth without any hard points. 

I flew the Kangri X with the Impress 4 harness at 95 all up. 

In the air, the brakes travel and response reminded me of its bigger sister the Trango X. As if the Kangri X has the same feel but a different aspect ratio. 

I enjoyed every thermal with those handling characteristics. The brakes have moderate pressure, with a linear feel, and are quite direct to steer the glider inside a thermal. For the educated pilot, the feedback comes slightly from the brakes and also from the risers. The Kangri X handling has the needed spices to make its pilot happy under it while coring.

The glide and climb seem similar to the Summit X. The comfort underneath the Kangri X is moderate for the high B category. It resembles the Maestro 2 feedback and is very close in agility. 

The C steering on that 2.5 liner B is as efficient as most 2.5 liners. While on the speed bar I could adjust most glider movements in moderate air. 

The speed over trim is around 15 km/h, and very usable.

Ears are easy to induce and stable.

Conclusion:

Coming from the classes above, the Kangri X is a pleasurable to-fly glider and especially not dull for the high B category.

Those spices in the brake feel are really nice to feel the air better and core every bubble swiftly. 

This glider is aimed at a large group from the high B category pilots to the C class pilots who want a glider with the same pleasurable information, with more comfort in turbulence as their C’s but still informs about what the air is doing, with a very nice guided handling in thermals.  

UP Kibo-X size S

UP Kibo - X  size S 

The Kibo-X is the new UP mid B glider, with a 2.5 line configuration. https://www.up-paragliders.com/en/products/paragliders/kibo-x

The Construction and details seem very similar to the Trango-X, Kangri-X, and Summit-X which seem very good.

Launching the Kibo-X while holding the inner A risers even in little wind, have a steady and homogenous rise with no hard point with a fluid normal canopy rise.

I flew the Kino-X size S ( 70-90) at 85 all up. The Kibo-X could be flown easily at mid-weight. I think it is best flown from 80 to 86 in all conditions. 

I flew the Kibo-X with the NK Arrow. 

Handling and agility: I had to length the brake lines by 5 cm to get the 10 cm gap before trailing edge contact. In that configuration, I would need around + 15 to 20 cm to steer the glider in thermals.

The brake pressure is moderate to slightly hard when lowering them. The turning abilities are quite nice with direct and immediate response from the glider. It can core tight thermals. 

Comfort: UP gliders have their own signature in terms of feedback. If you are a UP pilot, you know that feeling of feedback. The Trango-X and Kangri-X deliver a different flavor flying them with some roll movements that some pilots would look for. The Kibo-X inherits those same roll feel but for a B-class glider, they are less pronounced than the Kangri-X. Those movements on the KIbo-X are restricted to move in a small angle and the Kibo-X stays within those small angles above the pilot's head. Overall for a mid B, some pilots would cherish the roll, which is similar to a Tequila 4, and some would prefer a softer feel like on the Buzz Z7.   

Performance: The Kibo X plays in the same field as the mid-B’s regarding overall performance efficiency. The plus is the information coming from the glider and the handling that enhances your performance to core thermals. 

Ears are easy to make, stable, and quite efficient!  

Conclusion: The Kibo X will please many pilots looking for a mid-B with nice feedback with direct brake control while having a good level of performance for the intended class.   

 

FLOW Mystic S

And here's the new 2 liner in the C class from Flow. The Mystic is their new 2-liner C glider.
Semi-light construction with Dyneema risers. The manufacturer's website was not yet online when I published this review.
Launching the Mystic in no wind is straightforward. In 20 km/h wind, it is also very easy without any hard points.
In the air, the brake authority is nice for the pilot with moderate to light pressure and also moderate to short travel. The pressure is slightly more than the Fusion, and the travel is also shorter. There’s a big difference In brake authority over the Fusion which gives the Mystic very nice and direct turning abilities. In thermals, I found that I could place that glider inside any core easily, and the Mystic gave me a pleasurable feel in handling.

Flying the Mystic:

I flew the Mystic at 93 all up.
The Mystic delivers more roll than the Fusion with the same pitch stability. In roll, it resembles the Trango X feedback. The structure moves slightly in itself. It doesn’t feel like a monobloc like the Camino 2, Codex, or Mint. More like the Trango-X in feedback. A Fusion pilot will find that a little more active control is needed on the Mystic.

I remember that Flow mentioned, the first Mystic prototypes were difficult to induce collapses for the certification bodies.
I think in order to pass the C certification for a specific 'collapse angle', Flow decided to re-tuned the Mystic in that matter. The other side of a certification class is to insert a glider inside a limited box.
The certified version has soft tips and in turbulent conditions, they tend to collapse without any consequences. They open without any course change.
Probably after some hours a pilot would get used to them by understanding their excitement by clapping 

Climbing and gliding:
Climbing next to my reference gliders, I think the Mystic will share the 5 top places in that matter. It has a very good climb in the weak, and in the strong. The handling helps a lot by putting the Mystic inside the most lift.
The Fusion had long brake and late reactions. The Mystic handling is highly enhanced.

Gliding next to my reference gliders showed me that the Mystic has good gliding properties.
Example: Camino 2 XS and Mystic S share the same glide at half the speed bar. My 2 liner C comparison is updated.

Ears are easily doable in the B3 lines, and they reopen fast. Wing-overs build up quickly.
Top speed is around +15 km/h over trim.

Conclusion: The Mystic is an enhancement over the Fusion regarding the gliding through a difficult airmass. This profile gets easily through and surfs forward much better. The handling also is a high enhancement and more pleasurable to fly.
The softer tips could be a bit annoying for some, others will get used to them, or there’s a possibility that they could go away after +20 hours hours… No one will know under those new 2 liners how they will change after some hours.
That’s why flying them +20 to 40 hours will fine-tune them 

Happy flights,
Ziad

Words of nothingness

Very sad and frustrated…

One very big slap was taken… And we wake up with wide eyes for that special brief moment in time.

The slap and the awakening:

Paragliding …What’s about that sport? What is the essence of that sport? Why do we do it?  the endless quest for an answer…

We humans always need more and more... If there’s only ONE happiness feel, what will ‘more and more searching’ would give you further?

I never liked paragliding competitions even in my youth as it contradicts what ‘free flight’ stands for, IMHO.  

My free-flight definition: 

Standing on the top of the mountain, with a good breeze coming from the valley below. The sky is clear with beautiful clouds, birds are already circling up to cloud base, and you passionately long to join them for that weightless feel of floating freely far away from your daily survival combat… 

Up there, there’s only you, living that exact precious moment of your life. You look far, letting your eyes swim in the vastness of that space. You don’t rush it as the time stopped because you are there. Your mind works differently up there, configuring your XC route. It is the time to enjoy that freedom. 

When you land, you cannot speak, as words won’t be enough to describe that 'magical place' you were in.

-That is my personal understanding of paragliding. 

The brief awakening: 

Are we not creative enough to produce a different format of competition?  

What’s the purpose of being fast on such a slow (engine-less) device? Are we not missing the essence of flying?

Why not complete the largest possible triangle on that specific day smoothly? No rush…Just brain strategy.

Why not compete on a more predictable glider?  Example: Olympics formats!

Why in the certification bodies, (DHV,para-test…etc…) do the tests only in calm air? and only load tests for some? I thought humans were highly valuable beings! 

Why there’s not ONE expert-certified pilot that flies the B,C,D, CCC gliders in real thermic air and rate it on a (safety/recovery) scale 1 to 10.  And a scale of 5 could be enough for the new formats comps.

Didn’t the responsible wake up yet? Even the Formula 1 car race now in a 6-cylinder engine! with lots of safety measures..and only 12 drivers are allowed to drive them. Hello ???

Sports competition is created to push the human limit and materials for 'different purposes’…. At least not for the human peace of mind and internal happiness for sure!  

We arrived at the peak of our paragliding performance achievement. Now it is the time to invest more in our safety. More work on gliders' internal structures is crucially needed.  

I hope that a creative mind will finally take a leap of faith into another competition format. 

A simple recipe for happy flying: If you are stressed after you land. You have a clear answer. Listen to it carefully. It could be the conditions you flew in or the glider you chose to fly. 

If you are smiling, then you achieved your OWN goal without any format! 

Happy and safe landings my fellow friends,

Ziad.

ADVANCE Theta ULS 25 (The Lotus)

ADVANCE Theta ULS 25  (The Lotus) 

The Theta is an ADVANCE Mid B glider with a light construction. The size 25 goes from 78-99 and the recommended weight by ADVANCE is from 82 -95.

I flew the Theta 25 ULS at 90 and 95 all up, in multiple conditions, from smooth to very turbulent and strong air, sometimes flying on a lee side with washing machine turbulence.

Here are my impressions :

Construction: 

Skytex 27 and 32 are used on the Theta. A very neat construction and is well-built.  Unsheathed color-coded Pro Dry lines are used on the Theta. ( 60% more water-repellent than previous-generation lines)

Here are the details:  https://www.advance.swiss/en/products/paragliders/theta-uls

At first sight, and from the look, I had a strange feeling that there could be something different…

Launching:

The Theta is very easy to launch even in no wind or a slight backwind. No hard point, or anything to report. Just a super easy glider to inflate. In 30 km/h wind, the Theta inflates fast and evenly without any other complicated behavior. Overall, an easy-to-launch glider.

Brake pressure and feel:

At 95 and even at 90 all up, the brake pressure is on the moderate to light side for the first 25 cm. Lower than 25 cm it is on the moderate side. To stall the Theta requires a long pull under the seat with more than 2 seconds, then a stable stall is initiated before the full stall. So, it felt super safe without any sudden or quick stalls. The Theta informs well the pilot every centimeter of the brakes about the things that could happen. A forgiving glider in that matter. 

The feedback comes from the glider but also a slight feel is transmitted through the brakes. 

Handling and brake feel are my favorite points when testing gliders. 

After 10 cm of gap, the first 15-20 cm are necessary to steer the glider. Those 15-20 cm reacts very linearly in every centimeter while having smooth and moderate pressure. The Theta reacts impeccably, promptly, and especially ’smoothly' to the pilot's command, enabling him to put the Theta wherever, whenever he wishes in thermals regarding the current turbulence!  

In conventional weak or strong thermals, the Theta can be turned very narrow even in the tiniest core. The authority on the brakes is very high giving the pilot full control to adjust the radius of the turn as he pleases. The Theta obeys the order promptly without any delay. A super sweet glider to fly! 

Comfort ( roll and pitch):

I flew the Theta ULS one strong turbulent day in our Cedars range at mid-day. The north face of the range is known to be turbulent but that day the wind was also coming from the North, so flying there in the lee side is like being in a hellish washing machine. After soaring that ridge for 5 km, usually, the arm muscles get tired regardless of any B glider crazy dance moves. 

I was extremely happy to be on the Theta ULS that day.  All the crazy moves were logically there, but there was always a ‘moment’ before each crazy move. That precious ‘moment' offers the pilot the needed extra comfort and more time to keep controlling the glider without being tired.  

The Theta ULS delivers smooth educated feedback. The movements are not too tamed like on the Mentor 7. It felt as comfortable in turbulence, with very slight useful feedback. The pitch is absent but it feels that it goes smoothly into the airmass. Lovely to feel under the Theta ULS. Overall comfort is very high and gives the pilot a high passive safety feel.  My new B comparison (spider chart) will be updated for the details.   

Climbing:

I flew next to my friends on the upper-class gliders ( Photon EN-C and Klimber 3p EN-D ) for 2 hours in climb and gliding mode. 

I never felt that the Theta ULS was one second behind in the climb. On the contrary, I felt that the Theta ULS floats very well, and climbs efficiently next to the higher-rated gliders. When hitting thermals, the Theta ULS doesn’t pitch back at all, neither stops. It surprised me by its wonderful ability as a mid-B to get through very smoothly into that thermal like the upper-class gliders. Of course, it is slightly slower to enter but still efficient to climb. 

Gliding: 

I did again some gliding with my friends. Afterward, we were all certain that this Theta ULS 25 at 95 all up, glides like any top high B glider out there at trim and at half the speed bar. We were really surprised by its capacity to float in a moving air mass. I am sure that the Theta ULS has the best characteristics to glide efficiently. 

The speed over trim is around 12-13 km/h still with a competitive glide angle.

Ears on the Theta with outer A’s are stable and efficient with a 3 m/s sink rate at 2500 ASL and with the speed bar, they increase a bit more. They reopen slowly without pilot intervention.

Wingovers are playful and could be very high, as when the Theta is banked it restores lots of energy. 

Landing:

The Theta ULS 25 at 95 could be slowed quite low for a precision top landing. On a tricky slope landing, when you encounter a strong breeze, releasing the brakes enables the Theta ULS to move efficiently forward and up, without bumping into the airmass, but surprisingly when you apply +40 cm of the brakes, it stops in the air, and it seems or it felt, that the polar changes!  It is strange…Usually, flat polar gliders get through the airmass and it is difficult to slow them. 

The Theta gets through efficiently, but you can reduce the forward speed for a vertical precise landing in windy places. 

The Theta ULS could be packed very small for traveling and discovering new flying areas. 

Conclusion: 

I had a wonderful time test-flying the Theta ULS. The feeling I was getting after landing is of pure joy.  

I think ADVANCE has made a unique product creating the Theta ULS. That profile feels like a winner. ADVANCE felt it, and I think the use of the thin lines was intended to boost performance, I can humbly say that if an Omega ULS the same size stays within the Theta ULS speed at half bar they ‘could’ possibly play in the same playground.  

For that impressive complete package of light, agile, smooth feel, super easy and enjoyable to fly, with impressive performance for the B class, the Theta ULS could be IMHO, among the best low/mid-EN-B gliders I have ever test flown. 

GIN Camino 2 size S- 85-100 ( A ‘different' Bonanza 3 !! )

GIN Camino 2  size S- 85-100  ( A ‘different' Bonanza 3 !! ) 

After reviewing the Bonanza 3 here’s the test flight of the Camino 2 in the same size. I flew the Camino 2 with the Impress 4 harness at 97 all up. 

Launching the Camino 2 is easy for a light 2-liner C glider. 

Details: In nil wind, the Camino 2 needs a slight but steady pull to lift it up, as there’s pressure on the A’s, slightly more than similar light gliders. But still quite simple to launch. 

In +10 km/h wind, it goes evenly with that exact same pressure. In + 30 km/h wind nothing changes, the same pressure and a steady pull with no overshooting or fast surges.  The Camino 2 S kept the same launching characteristics which I think is a plus. 

 New feel: In the air, I was immediately stunned by the very high calmness of that glider. While the air is turbulent with gliders around trying to keep their gliders overhead, it seems that the Camino 2 is flying in another (Gin planet)! 

The structure feels very taught and homogenous, with a high comfort feel, without being spongy or dull at all! For a 2-liner light C, this is actually unreachable yet in terms of feel and comfort. It resembles the Bonanza 3 ‘only’ in that matter.

I flew the Camino 2 S quite often at 95 to 98 all up, and delayed a lot the test, just to be sure what I was about to write because I thought it would sound weird…

Unlike the Bonanza 3 feel and efficiency, I am now 100 % convinced that the Camino 2 despite having the same numbers on paper, feels very different from the Bonanza 3 in its flying capabilities.  I really don’t know the answer to that! 

The Camino 2 S at 97 cuts through the air exactly like a fast train on rails. No structure movements, but still efficient going forward. Flying next to other C’s like the Artik-R, and Photons, I felt that I was in the same league, with that slight extra float-ability in some disorganized thermals. 

In turbulence and strong thermals, there is enough time to control the Camino 2 S. The reactions of the glider felt slightly less dynamic than the Volt5/Photon/Artik-R/Trango-X… The Camino 2 S is as comfortable as the Bonanza 3 with extras!

Saying that, the brake travel is on the moderate to slightly hard side in turbulent air where you need that extra pull to keep it overhead. 

With a moderate turn but quite acceptable agility to my personal taste, the Camino 2 seems to be the most efficient one to grab and hold the thermals.  The brakes deliver a high authority to place the Camino 2 inside thermals. 

The climb rate is incredibly good! One day, I flew next to my usual friends on Photons, Artik-R, Mystic, and Milo on a Boom 12 M, and the Camino 2 was climbing very well keeping up easily with the 2-liner C class. 

Next to a Boomerang 12 M, and in strong thermals, the Camino 2 has a neutral pitch with a positive attitude in embracing the thermals. It gets quickly inside the core and delivers a high authority on the brakes to steer it precisely inside the strong part of the lift.  Of course, once the thermals are sharper the Boom 12 has a clear advantage, but inside the 2-liner C category, and for the same size, the Camino 2 S is a very good climber.  

I did long glides in moving air and later in calm air next to the gliders I mentioned. I felt that at 97 the Camino 2 has a 1 km/h faster trim speed than a Photon MS at 95, or an Artik-R 26( 90-105) at 105.  The glide is among the top five C’s. 

The float ability however is among the best ones. 

The max speed is similar to the Photon MS. I did update my C comparison. Ears need a slight application to get them, but a stable way to get down. 

Conclusion: I am waiting for the Camino 2 XS size 70-90 to share my findings later. 

As for the Camino 2 S, I felt the optimum weight is around 96…97 kg. Perhaps in strong air and competitions, 100 could be your ticket to a podium!  It may not be the most dynamic, and perhaps slightly hard on the brakes, but that overall compact structure is delivering higher grades in most parts. 

High comfort, good glide angle, very good climb rate, good speed, handles smoothly, doesn’t lose much when hitting sinking air.  

Any good high B pilot wishing to step into that category or any C or D pilot searching for an interesting 2-liner C must test fly the Camino 2.    

AD Hero 2 S

After test-flying the EN-C VOLT 5 from AD, here is the review of the new 2024/25 Hero 2 in the 2-liner EN-D category.

The Hero 2 is a light hike and fly, XC, and competition wing from Airdesign. The construction is very light with around 3.5 kg for the glider. 

Take-off is super easy even in little wind. The Hero 2 rises smoothly and evenly and I think it is as easy to inflate as the Omega ULS or the Zeolite 2 GT. 

In the air, at 89 all up, with my Impress 4 harness, the brake travel is short with moderate and smooth pressure, and a linear feel. Between the light 2-liner D’s I think it resembles the Klimber brake travel, with slightly less pressure. 

I could describe the brake feel as short, very direct, linear, and smooth. A delight to fly! I had a really nice time flying the Hero 2 for the amount of handling pleasure it delivers. Tight turns need around 10-15 cm with very good agility. 

The whole structure is very homogenous, and the glider moves smoothly as a whole without parasital movements! The Hero 2 is an easy 2-liner D glider to fly. It resembles the Omega ULS in comfort. A very sweet glider to fly in strong air for the D class. 

The Hero 2 doesn’t have a positive nor a back pitch when entering thermals at 89 all up. It just slows a little before entry but still goes slowly forward. The brakes can place it accurately inside any small core, and that delivers a nice climb rate. The feel on the EN-C Volt 5 is a slighter pitch forward upon entry. The Hero 2 has another feel.  

Doing some glides next to my reference gliders showed me a glide similar to the Klimber 3, Omega ULS.  The speed bar has a moderate pressure that gets you around 19 km/h over trim, and it is very usable with a solid glider overhead. The B steering is quite efficient in controlling the pitch while on the bar with also moderate pressure.  

Ears are doable with outer B’s. Easy and efficient. Wingovers have a lot of energy and fun to make. Landing is a non-event with low stall speed. 

Conclusion: 

Test flying that nice machine is a must for any pilot aiming for a light easy EN-D with nice handling and a pleasurable overall feel.

 

 

GIN Genie Race 5

Genie race 5 size M

Once released, I received many emails to test fly the Race 5, and I tried to purchase one, but GIN replied that they have lots of orders at the moment… ;-)... 

So I waited for a friend to lend me his harness, and Milo was so kind to offer it for a short flight. 

I already test-flew the NK Drifter 2 which is a hybrid harness(Not inflatable) and also the Submarine which is similar to the Genie Race 5 with an inflatable envelope.

At first sight, the Genie Race 5 has an impeccable finish! It is a very clean harness for the sight! The workmanship on the Genie Race 5 is the top you can find today. The materials used on the outside envelope are sturdy and more tear-resistant than the Submarine.  Again, all the lille sewings and finishing details are excellent!

The front-used zippers are large and seem indestructible for normal and daily use. 

I liked the cockpit placement! It is quite clear in front of the pilot's face and looks like a conventional pod harness, not inserted inside the harness…So that feature is really nice! There are also two side pockets on the chest just between the cockpit and the pilot's face! Easily reachable in the air. 

Legs are naturally supported, and no matter if you pull the side straps for a relatively normal (lying/upright) position, (like on conventional pod harnesses) The back fairing still is streamlined to the air, and also the center of gravity is perfect with a streamlined harness all the way. 

Under the cockpit inside the cocoon, there’s also a ballast pocket for 10-12 L, that sits independently from your body. More details on the GIN website:   https://www.gingliders.com/en/harnesses/genie-race-5/

Two rescue systems on each side. 

A fairly large back pocket inside the cocoon for the bags and water. 

There’s also a small place under the seat for ballast. The 9 cm Koroyd protection is installed. Once in the air, when fully inflated, I reached with my hand to the lower part of the cocoon, to feel the protection, and there was still 3-4 cm 

of air to feel the protection. Maybe GIN could have installed a larger one easily with the same cocoon shape, but GIN is quite convinced about that protection. 

Sitting inside the Genie Race 5 was immediately comfortable. It is not a complicated harness to adjust. There are two leg adjustments from each side. One back adjustment, and one seat height adjustment. So easy to get yourself in a good sitting position.

The sitting comfort for my height of 1.81 and 74 kg is the best I could find from the other mentioned competition harnesses. The seat width fits me perfectly like a glove. No pressure on the sides. Just perfect. 

The back support is very comfortable without any hard points for the hour I flew.  

The main front strap is fixed and slightly narrower than the Submarine in width. The roll movements are quite dampened and the information is excellent, without getting too chatty. I think flying high aspect ratio gliders under the Genie Race 5 will give a balanced feel between good maneuverability and high stability. 

Getting inside the harness and out is easy with a nice zipper system. 

Conclusion:  This small test is just a small idea, as I didn’t fly it much. 

But, I think, even daily XC pilots could easily fly the Genie Race 5 for its easily understandable setup. 

Clean, beautiful looking, and very well made, the Genie Race 5 has the most complete package for comfort and streamlined competition performance if you need it.