Ozone Zeolite 2 GT. MS 

Disclaimer and reminder: 

With respect, there are many types of pilots:  Some search for the smallest detail, others just grab any glider and fly, and others even the thirsty ones, just like to debate on a simple glass of water…  

My testing passion is totally free to share, and I’m still having a lot of fun flying newcomers. Hope it lasts…

As I am writing this test, the ultra lighter version of the Zeolite 2 GT is now available with around 750 grs !!   less on each glider. 'The Zeolite 2’ . 

As I already flew the Zeolite1 GT  MS, Zeno2 MS , Photon MS, Klimber 3, and Omega ULS, I will try to write the differences in feel of flying the Zeolite 2 GT.  

 

Ozone uses a new cloth on the Zeolite 2 GT which is on the top Surface Dominico 20D / 10D and on the Bottom Surface Dominico 10D. It gives a slippery feel and it is quite light. Not as light as the one used on the Klimber 3. The weight of the Zeolite 2 GT  is around 3.75 kg. 

Launching the Zeolite 2 GT is straightforward and easy without any hard points. I flew the Zeolite 2 GT with two harnesses WV X rated 6 and the NK Arrow. The first 5 hours on the X rated 6 at 94 all up, and the next 6 hours on the NK Arrow at 90 all up. 

Later, and after a few more hours, I felt that it flies nicely near 91…92  all up in overall conditions and doesn’t need to overload it. In both configurations it climbs really well. The leading edge even at 88 all up seems quite solid. The overall structure moves slightly in itself, more compact feel than on the Klimber 3, and feels more compact. I described the first Zeolite to dance the Samba…I think the second version is much tamer, and close in comfort to the Photon which feels slightly calmer. The Zeolite 2 GT has probably a bit more and sharper overall movements in strong air. To place it correctly for you, the Zeolite 2 GT sits in comfort between the Omega ULS and the Klimber 3. 

  

The brake pressure on the Zeolite 2 GT is moderate, similar to the Klimber 3 or the Zeno 2 in pressure. The brake travel is short and largely different from the Photon which is a bit long. After the 10 cm gap, if the pulley lines are horizontal, I could steer the Zeolite 2 GT in 10-15 cm brake travel. So it is short and precise. Probably the Zeolite 1 GT was a bit more precise and a bit sharper to turn, slightly more agile, like the Klimber 3 that is also similar to the Zeolite 1 GT turning abilities, but still, I can describe the Zeolite 2 GT as a fairly agile 2 liner glider, and I could place it even in some bumpy air in any core, insisting a bit on the turn.  

  The smallest details if needed will be updated in the C comparison table. 

After the first 5 hours, and doing a few 360’s and wingovers to let the glider settle in, I sensed that the brake line gap after the pulley is now only 5 cm. So I have lengthen the brake lines by an additional +5 cm, and continued my days flying it.  I have now the normal +10 cm gap after the brakes which allowed me to push the speed bar all the way without having a pressure on the brakes lines, like I had before I lengthen the brake travel. 

Zeolite 2 GT… A sweet glider to fly? 

Flying the Zeolite 2 GT gave me a more direct and connected response than the Photon which needed to be steered for efficiency and fast turning, at +40 cm of the brake travel sometimes to get that narrow turn. Now with the Zeolite 2 GT, all you need is just 15 cm to turn it into thermals. If you pull a slightly +5 cm more, you get a nice tight turn into a thermal that under a Zeno 2 you cannot achieve the same tight turning radius in very narrow and especially weak cores.  

I flew the Zeolite 2 GT next to my friends on the OXA ULS 23, XC racer 2 S, Zeno 2 MS , Photon MS, Klimber 3. 

Any of those gliders can get you to the place you are aiming at. But here's what we found…

Climbing in weak to moderate thermals, the Zeolite 2 GT at 92 all up, showed us a really competitive glider! It floats nicely while moving forward. A really nice glider to get the most of the lift! We definitely had an edge on that glider. When the conditions get stronger, with a more agitated air mass and stronger breeze, then the upper 2 liner D’s like the Zeno 2, XC racer 2 will have the edge in cutting faster and moving forward into the rising air mass, which is logical, with their heavy full rods structures. But I just wanted to be precise about that. 

The Zeolite 2 GT has a long speed travel. The first part has a moderate pressure, and the second part is slightly heavier with a very fast top speed matching the Klimber 3. In both harnesses, and just before 2 cm from touching the pulleys, I felt that the Zeolite 2 GT rolled a bit and I needed to stay well centered in my harness. The top speed is around +18 km/h over trim.  

 

When my friends and I fly together in 'testing mode', they are certainly the most noble friends you want to have, just because we all stick next to each other in XC mode following tip to tip in every situation that the weather throws at us. That way we all can see clearly who has the advantage in those conditions, and it all be repeated for three days sometimes. ( My tests wouldn’t be available without their help. They are a blessing to fly with)  Sharing thoughts after each flight is the best way to get a clear idea. 

Gliding with the mentioned gliders, in XC conditions, showed us that when it is a "moderate to smooth" glide, the Zeolite 2 GT has the upperhand along with the Zeno 2. 

When gliding through tougher air, the Zeno 2 and XC racer 2 have the edge over the light ones, and showed us that they are from a different category of “F-22 Raptor” but the Zeolite 2 GT comes next with impressive efficiency. Holding the speed bar at 60 % in turbulence is as easy as on the Omega ULS, and corrections can be swiftly made while on the bar. The pressure on the B handles is quite moderate, linear feel, and very efficient, like on the Photon. In this matter, trusting the glider's ability by flying it more and more on the bar increases your performance at high speed. 

Ears are stable with outerA’s they are a bit hard to pull, but ok. They reinflate with pilot help. Ears are easy with outer B’s, and around -2.5m/s  with speed bar is achieved. They reopen quickly.  Wing overs show the high energy stored in that 2 liner ! They build quickly. 

Conclusion: 

If you have skipped to the conclusion...

All you need to know is: 

The Zeolite 2 GT holds the most complete package of handling/performance for a 2 liner pilot looking for a light glider.

For hiking and fly, or even local competitions. The Zeolite 2 GT will deliver.

Most of all, for a pilot coming to the D category, after two seasons on a 2 liner C, or a competition pilot stepping back, I think it would be a really nice performance paraglider to help you get the most of each day while keeping the pleasure of flying. 

Coupe Icare 2023 interviews

 

MacPara Illusion 2 size 24 70-90

MacPara Illusion 2 size 24  70-90 

The Illusion 2 is a lightweight low EN-B from MacPara. 

I flew the Illusion 2 with the Niviuk Arrow harness at 85 all up.

Pulling on the A risers launches the Illusion 2 smoothly even in nil wind. In the stronger breeze, it rises calmly and stays above the pilot's head. Take off with 85 all up on this size is ideal. 

The brake travel is moderate to short with a quick reaction to turn the glider but still very forgiving if pulled further. The pressure is moderate to firm allowing a good connectivity for that level.

I flew in some strong turbulent air, and I was test-flying also the Ion 7 and the Buzz Z7. I think Illusion 2 seems calmer in all the pitch movements. In strong air, the Illusion 2 stays locked above the pilot's head with little brake applied. The roll is moderate and resembles the Ion 7 and the Z7. 

For that class, all those gliders have lots of performance to offer especially when going into the airmass. The Illusion 2 as a low B is a good contender and is quite competitive in the way it enters the airmass and moves forward. As a low B, it is certainly slow to enter and to move, but still, it does the job very well. Further smaller details in the B comparison shortly. 

Turning into thermals with the Illusion 2 is especially made for that class of pilots without too much dynamics, but still agile enough to turn tight every core, without missing it. The speed travel delivers around 11 km/h and still with a good glide angle. On one flight, I was pinned by a south wind and needed to push the full speed in order to move forward. I was surprised that after 10 km of full bar, the Illusion 2 kept on its rail, and got me slowly and smoothly to the other side of the mountain. I think nowadays, all those low B’s are very competitive, and they deliver a surprisingly high amount of performance for the newcomers to the sport, or even for the pilots who just want to fly for fun stepping down from a higher-rated glider. 

 The Illusion 2 can be slowed quite well to land in tight small places. Ears are stable, get you down around 2.5 or 3m/s if pulled higher, and reopen without pilot intervention.

Conclusion: 

A light but reliable companion, for flying in big mountains. No stress, cool reactions, forgiving, and nice brake authority. Good overall performance to get the job done. I don’t know why, but after flying Illusion 2 I keep thinking of my lovely and peaceful Golden retriever…as if they share the same character…

NOVA Ion 7 XS

NOVA Ion 7 light XS 70-90
Size XS / 70-90
Harness Niviuk Arrow L
Weight in flight = 85 all up
The latest Nova glider I test flew was the Mentor 7 S size. This Ion 7 is the XS size that goes to 90 all up.
The Ion 7 is built on the leading edge with a mix of Dominico 30D, 41 g/m² Dominico 20DPS, 33 g/m² on the leading top surface, and on the lower surface Dominico 10D, 26 g/m².
There are some nice construction details on that Ion 7 including the new Rod Loops, that I will let you surf their website with this link for further details: https://www.nova.eu/en/gliders/ion-7-light/
I flew that Ion 7 in multiple conditions from strong turbulent air to nice well formed thermals.
Launching the Ion 7 light shouldn’t be commented …Too easy, and too cool for a light glider without any shooting forward, hanging back, or any delays. A simple and easy way to inflate that glider.
In the air, the brake travel is slightly longer than the Ion 6, with a moderate length and very good agility with more forgiving handling. It feels that NOVA fine-tuned the brake travel to make it even more accessible to pilots coming into that category without losing any of the agility and fun feel. I could describe the Ion 7 as a sweet playful machine able to core any thermal without too much complicated attitude.
Last week, I even lend it to my Lebanese friend ‘Rabih’ that came to visit his country from Canada, after not flying for a year. He usually flew the Mentor 5 before, sometimes on weekends.
I was on a 2-liner C next to my friend Rabih, on the Ion 7 XS, with this time both on X rated 6 harnesses! Since he had few hours, this year I asked him to follow me on a small XC to maximize his flight. On that day, I was really surprised by the pace the Ion 7 delivered! As we were cruising at trim speed, Rabih was being able to stay very close in glides, and the climbs were really efficient on that Ion 7! Of course, It glides less than the 2-liner, but I’m not trying to pull away, the glide is very respectable. I was also surprised by the capability of climbing in thermals next to a 2 liner C glider. After landing I asked him how it was, and he replied that he never thought he could keep up seeing me on the 2-liner C, and he was impressed by that performance/comfort package on a low B glider. He was so excited and frustrated at the same time just because he was leaving for Canada again and not able to fly it more!
I asked him to write a few words.
His own words:
Launches were very easy, even though one tip came up asymmetrically because of my rusty preparation, the glider adjusted itself quickly with little brake got above my head. In the air, I felt it gave me all the feedback I needed while still being comfortable to fly. Transitions following you (me on a 2-liner C) were very good as I felt I was always able to follow slowly. I liked the agility and brake length. The landing was very easy for me. Thank you for the flight and for lending me that incredible glider. If I was to stay in Lebanon, I will definitely buy one, but as you know, this year also I must go back. Hugs, Rabih.
When I flew the Ion 7 in punchy dry and strong air, in our Cedars range, It felt really comfortable to fly and all the movements in the air are done at very low angles. Pushing the speed bar doesn’t seem to affect the excellent glide for that category while having moderate pressure. Indeed the newcomers to the sport are very lucky to have those new creations, that combine high passive safety with incredible usable performance!
Ears are easy to induce, they reopen quickly. Playing around with that glider is fun, as you could throw it around with nice wingovers.
Conclusion: On the Ion 7, NOVA seems to expand the usability to have a playful, efficient XC, and a fun to fly machine with high accessibility!


Cheers,
Ziad