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
