DaVinci Funky 2 S

Davinci Funky 2

The Funky 2 is Davinci high performance EN-B. It is constructed with a 3-line concept and unsheathed lines everywhere. The Funky 2 has lots of features with a special leading-edge look, including the smart Nose Plus. I’ll let you see all the Funky 2 specs here:    https://flydavinci.com/products/paragliders/funky-2/ 

Launching the Funky2 even without wind is straightforward without any hard points. A smooth take-off with no wind. In strong windy takeoff, the Funky 2 with the right input felt very smooth and gentle.

Turning the Funky 2 is a real pleasure! The turning radius can be made very tight coring the tiniest of thermals. 

For a high-B, the Funky 2 brake travel can be described as short to moderate in length and pressure, with a nice linear feel through the turn. 

A kind of hydraulic smooth turn I can say!  Very satisfying and pleasurable to fly.  

On one day, at the soaring site, the wind blew around 30…32 km/h, and after flying the Mullet 18 a bit, I tried to play with the Funky 2 at mid-weight with a seated harness, launching from the beach exactly at 0 sea level, just to see how it will cope with such winds. 

To my surprise I could easily lift off from the beach getting higher, with efficient forward flying for a B glider, touch the sand, and go high again, playing for more than an hour was satisfying and rewarding with that nice authority on the brakes.  I had a blast under the Funky 2 playful character. 

Now in XC mode.

I flew the Funky 2 in different aerology and took my time test flying it. I can confirm the easy and forgiving behavior of that Funky 2. It felt much easier to fly than the Kangri-X I am also currently test-flying

It is more comfortable to fly than the Rush 6 /also.  Maybe it is slightly more alive than the Mentor 7 with a ‘gentleman’ feedback :-)! 

The Funky 2 is a smooth glider to fly and lets you concentrate on your flying instead of looking at the glider.  

Climb rate: 

Inside the High B category, I found the Funky 2 to have quite a very good and competitive climb rate in all conditions. In weak air, the Funky 2 is quite competitive as it can be slowed inside any weak lift and could easily stay in that lift with a positive vario.  The Funky 2 can easily grab thermals without losing the climb and can compete efficiently with good High B climbers.

In punchy and stronger cores, the Funky 2 like most B-class gliders slows slightly before entry, then it goes in, quite nicely and efficiently inside the core. Flying The S at 95 would make it even better in those strong conditions, without losing its float ability in weak air.  

The overall movements in roll are quite in the middle of the B class. The pitch is nearly absent, for the high B category as the Funky 2 can be described as a comfortable glider to fly.

The R&D added a light touch of smooth spices giving the pilot a nice turn and pleasurable handling.  

Gliding:

Gliding with the Funky 2 in moderate boiling air seems to give the pilot a nice glide through that moving airmass.  We flew against a brand new Rush 6 size MS loaded at 92 all up. I think, despite having a 3 line concept, the glide is amazingly good for the Funky 2. We tried four glides, in a headwind, backwind, and tricky air, and the result was very good placing it among the 5 best gliding high B machines. I also added a new B chart (spider type) for the picky pilots :-). 

The C riser system has a moderate and smooth feel and lets you control the pitch or the glider movements while on bar. Similar to other good 2.5 or 3-line high B gliders.  The speed over trim is +13 km/h over trim taken at 800 ASL. 

Ears with outside A’s are stable, very easy to induce, and efficient for descent. 

 

Conclusion: 

The DaVinci Funky 2 surprised me with its complete and highly usable package of performance and pleasurable handling. A must to try near the max weight, to give you that taste of surfing the air. 

 

AirDesign Volt 5 S

Airdesign

I’m not the only one who is noticing, I think...! Something is interesting at AIR-DESIGN. 

A cooler approach toward the pilots with their marketing ads and cool videos, funny and unique. They seem to cook magical recipes on their private planet.

All this shows highly creative teamwork. 

For example: They released the first certified 2 liner C category (Volt4) in Feb -2022 

They now released three new gliders B-C-D at the same time!!!  including the  Rise 4 EN-B (1st B glider with the new fashionable winglets)  and the 2nd generation of a 2-liner C glider the Volt 5! And last is the Hero 2 as a 2-liner D class. 

Indeed on a different planet! :-) 

This test is about the Volt 5. https://ad-gliders.com/project/volt-5-speedmachine/?lang=en

which is built with light Dominico double-coated 25 g/m2 fabric. The S size weighs around 3.75 kg. 

I flew the Volt 5 (80-92) from 87 to 92 all up. I think 90 is ideal in all conditions. 

Take-off is straightforward, no shooting forward. Very easy to launch. 

Flying the Volt 5 S with NK Arrow harness and later on the Advance Impress4 harness. 

From 90 to 92 all up, the Volt 5 has a neutral pitch when entering thermals. The reactions are smooth for a 2 liner C glider. The roll movements are also very well-balanced. Probably slightly more roll than the Volt 4 but still super comfy to fly.  The roll movements are less than the Photon, and the Trango X.  My C comparison is updated. The feel of structure homogeneity under it is between an Artik-R and Bonanza 3. 

The first turn in thermals showed me a very nice coordinated handling!  In strong turbulent air, it moves a bit more in itself (structure) like the Artik-R/Trango-X.  

 

The brake pressure is on the moderate to slightly firm side (more pressure than Photon) but with short travel to give you a lovely direct and linear reaction, that can quickly initiate a turn.  

Coring thermals is a pleasure under the VOLT 5 as I could readjust the turning radius efficiently inside a core to get the best out of a lift with the possibility of tight narrow turns. Lovely handling! 

When flying the Volt 5 at 87 in strong windy conditions, the handling remains nice, with direct handling, but a bit slower to react, and also the reactivity to turn the glider in those strong conditions. 

Later, I found out that at 90 all up, it would be a sharp tool for nice XC days yet very efficient even in the weakest thermals.

In very weak air, the Volt 5 has the ability to catch those tiny thermals, and with its direct handling, it would help a lot to stay in the core waiting for another thermal.

In this respect, the Volt 5 joins the best 2-liner C’s for the climb rate efficiency.

The speed bar pressure is on the moderate side. Not too light nor too heavy. While holding the speed bar, the B handles are efficient in keeping the glider on track. Top speed over trim is around +15-16 km/h

Doing some glides next to a loaded Photon MS sometimes in a headwind and in lift lines, showed us that the Volt 5 is a fierce competitor! 

In those glides, the Volt 5 showed an efficient profile while surfing the airmass. Next to the Photon, at trim speed and even at half the speed bar, it copes quite similarly to the Photon with the lift areas without losing the glide.  

We were surprised by its gliding efficiency.  The B steering has moderate pressure and it is efficient in keeping the Volt 5 angle in accelerated mode. 

Wingovers need slightly more application to build higher inversions. I think it seems to soften the turns which is a good sign of self-balance after collapse, I think…

Conclusion: 

AirDesign surprised me with the Volt 5! A truly competitive EN-C in climb and glide, while being comfortable, and smooth to fly. The handling and turning abilities deliver a pleasurable feel. 

An interesting 2-liner EN-C for test flying if you are looking inside that category. 

Niviuk Drifter 2 size M

And finally, it was released, and I received the latest full-on competition harness from Niviuk. The Drifter 2.

The first contact with the harness showed me ‘impeccable’ construction details! I have flown and seen many harnesses in the past, and I can firmly confirm that the finishing details on Drifter 2 are excellent! matching the top-end brands out there. You know me very well from my writing when I'm excited about a product! The feeling is similar to discovering the latest 2024 F1 cars…RB20…SF-24...W15… etc…

I’m a fan of good quality products! And this Drifter 2 built quality is the top you can find. (Pls see attached a few ‘close-up pictures’) 

This era of paragliding performance has slightly shifted momentarily more toward aerodynamic harnesses. The appearance of the Ozone Submarine, and later the Gin Race 5 paved the path for that direction.

I already test-flew the Submarine, which has an inflatable outside shell and is considered to provide less drag resulting in more gliding performance.

Niviuk has adopted a different approach but in the same direction. Like the excellent Genie Race 4, which offered a sleek performance pod, but an open harness on the chest area, the Niviuk Drifter 2 is a conventional but ‘hybrid’ harness that has the best of both worlds. 

Hybrid harness explanation:

A zipper that runs from your feet directly to the cockpit, and another with the same and continuous direction toward your neck providing a straight streamlined shape like the one on the Submarine. The difference is that the pod remains a conventional neoprene pod ( not inflatable)

This released video by Niviuk shows exactly the details: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTZzAyCxd8E

The DRIFTER 2 is equipped with two cockpits. A small one that lets your instruments/power bank appear through the plastic window. Another lower bigger compartment ( see pic)  for your ballast, instruments..etc…

This cockpit is big enough for a + 10 L of water ballast.

Installing a regular vario with an E-Ink Screen without a backlight is difficult to see. Anything with a light background like phone apps, or Oudie N, etc…is very clear, just because under the sunlight the shade produced by the outer shell, over the cockpit prevents any light in, you only see very clearly in plain sunlight, the lighted instruments inside. 

Inserting my hands makes it very easy to adjust the instruments. The neck collar of the neoprene is quite large with no pressure on the neck. 

Taking off while ready is easy in the upright position without any neck pressure point. Getting inside the pod is a non-event, and of course, pulling the zipper closes and opens the pod rapidly. 

I never encountered a problem with the zipper so far. When landing your foot can alone open the zipper with probably a slight pull of 10 cm on the zipper rope.  

Kiting while standing up with the DRIFTER 2 is surprisingly very straightforward without any pressure on your back neck. It feels like a normal harness! Taking off is smooth, and getting into the pod is very quick. 

When you are ready, pulling a bit on the right zipper line closes the pod. 

There are no outside pockets left and right, probably for lesser drag. But it would be nice to have one at least, just because everything is sealed and you have to open the pod to access the lower compartment. Probably installing a smaller outside pocket would be nice. 

In the air, inserting your hands to adjust the Vario, or phone easily. 

Now for the seating position/comfort/weightshifting.

Before adjusting your harness, please install the two rescues, drinking water, and the stuff you put in the moderate-width rear compartment when you are flying just because you need to reset your center of gravity while adjusting it to achieve a flawless and efficient line when gliding.  

The foot pad holds an extension to be removed on taste and body size, of 5 cm thickness with 4 pcs ( see pic). For my height of 1.81 cm, I removed all the foot pads and reached a perfect sitting position without any pressure from the neoprene that covered my shoulders.  

When pulling the left and right upper side straps which are easy to use even in flying, for adjusting your back inclination, and to stay streamlined with the air without



positioning the rear fairing higher to reach that ultimate position, your sitting will be slightly reclined.  On the Arrow L, the max layback position is still 3-4 cm forward than on the Drifter 2 perfectly streamlined position. 

It is very logical for a high-end competition harness to give you that reclined position if the pilot is aiming for less drag. Of course, a ‘slighter' upright position would be most welcomed. 

The reclined seating position is quite comfortable for the body. There are no pressure points whatsoever! Comfortable to sit in. It is exactly like laying down on your favorite sofa in winter time, watching ‘dustoftheuniverse channel’ ;-) but the tea holder is missing!  

The legs are surely naturally supported. The seat plate of the DRIFTER 2 M however is a bit large for my size of 75 kg.

A gap of 3 cm on each side.  

The seat plate of the Arrow Large is one centimeter less from each side than the seat plate of the Drifter 2 M size.  

I tried to install a smaller plate, or even without a seat board which Niviuk doesn’t recommend, but as the DRIFTER 2 is constructed like an F1 car, I couldn’t sink in, because there’s also the ballast pocket underneath the seat which is also reinforced to be stiff when holding the water ballast. Everything is surgically designed!  :-) 

There are two positions left and right for the anti-G which are easily reachable in the air.  

The DRIFTER 2 has little adjustment straps and it is really easy to adjust. The roll movements under the DRIFTER 2 with the main strap at 50 cm are quite comfortable. It is very close to the Arrow L roll movements. The weight shift is well coordinated and after flying the Arrow L, I didn’t quite find any big differences in roll and weight shift besides my reclined position. Overall it is quite a balanced harness to fly with high-end gliders. Stable enough to be comfortable on long flying hours. 

Pushing on the speed bar is another nice experience. The big aluminum pulleys hold a stop system, and help you maintain the pressure while holding the speed bar for a time. On the Arrow, for example, my feet always have more pressure during long glides. The pulleys on the DRIFTER 2 have a stop-back spinning system that allows less foot pressure while stepping on the speed bar. 

Asymmetric speed bar steps are installed for a smoother and more balanced pull between the left and right risers. Like I said, I felt like driving an F1 car. :-) 

Even in a reclined position, the pressure when pulling on the speed bar doesn’t put pressure on your shoulders. The pressure is homogeneously distributed on your back. It was smooth to keep the speed bar. 

The back fairing doesn't flutter at all and stays in pressure with a very narrow shape. 

The DRIFTER 2 has a new 5.5 cm origami back protection https://niviuk.com/en/orikami. It is the first small protection after the Koroid that acts differently as Niviuk stated. 

It is indeed a small protection, and I would personally prefer having a larger one…But maybe I’m still old-fashioned and not used to this new technology… I just really hope that its efficiency surpasses the claims.  

Conclusion: 

The DRIFTER 2 is for sure a very beautiful-looking competition harness equipped to the last detail. Pilots' eyes on take-off and landing were wide open and commented frequently about that beautiful shape. Comfortable for the back and also in roll movements. The construction is excellent! felt very robust and with those materials it could last very long! 

When flying it, a ‘psychological’ feeling of performance will be on the menu.

The air over my face was less perceived than usual as my head was near the outer shell.  

Landing and getting outside the pod is quite easy and feels exactly like a normal pod.  

For XC and competition pilots, the race is on… :-) 

Ozone Forza 2 M size

 Hi,

Harness comparison ( Update)
Test flying harnesses are the most difficult and sometimes highly inaccurate, as each individual even with the same height and weight shares a completely different anatomy. This test is to get a 50 % idea of what to expect, and it is more important to test-fly a harness than it is to test-fly a paraglider. Testing harnesses consist of sitting in a harness for more than 20 minutes if you can, adjusting it, and feeling if there are any hard points on your body. Then a flight could give you a higher idea of the roll feedback you wish to receive and cope with.
As harnesses are a very personal choice for each individual for roll, and especially for body comfort, this pre-test before buying is very important as it will surely maximize your future flights and acheive your expected potential with no stress on your sitting position or leg support concentrating on the task ahead. Any pilot can cope with any of the above harnesses in roll. It is only a matter of training and getting used to it.
Please consider that a moderately stable harness that combines stability and a pleasurable roll feel, is very different for each individual from a 15 to an 85-year-old pilot. Finding your own “balance" will also reduce energy consumption while keeping the lovely flying spices! 
Happy and safe flights.



Most comfortable seated harness. As 1 being most comfortable “ONLY for the seating position”.

1-Impress 4 / Impress 3 /Lightness 2/3
2-Forza 2 / Arrow / Nearbird Vibe
3-Genie Race 2 / Exoceat/ Genie race 4/ Genie light 3 / Delight 4 /Submarine
4-X-Rated 6 / Genie Race 3 / Genie lite 2 / Gin X-Alps/ Woody Valley GTO 2
5- Woody Valley GTO 1


Most comfortable in roll (In roll stability ). As 1 being most comfortable.

1-Ozone Exoceat/ Delight 4/ Delight 3/ Arrow/ Forza 2
2-Genie Light 1 / WV GTO 1 / Forza 1 / Gin X-Alps / Nearbirds Vibe X-Rated 6 XL / Genie Race 3 /Genie race 4
3-Impress 2 + / Genie lite 2/ Ozium 2/ Lightness 3 /Genie light 3
4-Genie Race 2 / Ozium 1/
5-Impress 3/ Lightness 2

Harnesses that deliver a naturally supported leg in the pod.

—— Exocet / Forza 1/ Impress 3 / Lightness 1/2/3 /Nearbirds Vibe/ Arrow M & L / Forza 2/ Delight 4 /Submarine


Conclusion: Manufacturers are trying to deliver more easy-to-fly and stable harnesses for the majority with better leg support and a two-rescue option.
The Nearbirds Vibe is a complete harness that fulfills those criteria while being comfortable. As a semi-light harness, I prefer the NK Arrow for its versatility, ease of use, and beautiful shape. I will be receiving an Airy Vibe to test fly…
I am also waiting for the Forza 2 L size to get a much better idea and feel, to decide if I am going to keep it as an X-rated 6 replacement harness or not… as I need to fly a slightly heavy harness for my tests (+,-) 7 kg.


Cheers,
Ziad

PHI Scala 2 19 - 75-100

PHI Scala 2  19 -  75-100 

The Scala 2 from PHI is a 2-liner, certified EN-C with a 6.8 Aspect ratio, normal cloth, and full rods all the way. https://phi-air.com/project/scala_2/

The manufacturing process is very neat.  

The lines are unsheathed and quite reduced to deliver less drag. 

Launching the Scala 2 with my x-rated 6 harness at 93 all up needs a steady pull, as the glider feels a bit heavy on pull. But still inflates evenly and I didn’t notice a surge, just a bit slow to rise.

In the air, the brake travel is short with moderate to hard pressure after 15 cm of travel. After flying nearly all the latest 2 liners, I felt that the Scala 2 felt a bit heavier to steer in the air at 93 all up. The Scala 2 as an EN-C glider, has to moderate and acceptable agility, and is easy to induce a turn in moderate conditions.

 

The Scala 2 feels very compact and in turbulence, it doesn’t require a lot of pilot control, like the Photon. It moves as a whole block. It is a comfortable glider to fly for the aspect ratio, but also, you can feel that you are flying a higher-rated glider, by its ability to search the air. 

Climbing in weak thermals less than (-1 m/s), isn’t the Scala 2 strong point. It needs a bit of time to rise up. When thermals go more than +1.0 m/s The Scala 2 has no problem climbing with the best C’s.  

We felt that the Scala 2 is a glider that enters quite efficiently the airmass going forward, rather than a floater that gains altitude but stays slightly behind. 

Gliding with the Scala 2 19, at 93 all up, next to a Photon MS at 93 at trim and top speed is almost identical. 

The Scala 2 has an impressive glide angle and probably a slightly faster trim speed (0.25 km/h) than the C’s I tested. 

The top speed is also the same as the Photon MS loaded at 93. If you load the Scala 2 near the top…it surely be faster.  

I gave the Scala 2 also to my friend and we did almost an 4 hour flight tip to tip, and we noticed that the Scala 2 kept close all the way in glides with the photon, but sometimes needed a bit more time to reach the Photon in the climb. My friend’s usual glider is an XC Racer 2 and later he told me that he felt that the information for thermal searching sent by the Scala 2 is very close to his glider but with more comfort.  He was happy flying it.   

The speed bar has a moderate pressure and steering with the B risers is quite efficient in moderate turbulence with a calm glider to control. 

I like that riser setup! 

Wingovers are quite impressive and deliver nice stored energy. 

Ears with outer B’s are large and quite efficient.

Conclusion: 

The 2-liner C category, holds now many new releases, and the Scala 2 adds to the category the flavor of flying a high aspect ratio glider but with a comfortable package. I missed that exceptional nimble feel of the beautiful Maestro 2 and the pleasurable handling of the sweet Allegro! 

With Its 6.77 aspect ratio, the S
cala 2 is created to glide, and the promise is reel. 

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. 

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

NIVIUK KLimber 3 P size 21

Disclaimer:

Please note again… that tests will always differ with other sizes. At first, if flown with seatless harnesses, or must I say a completely different harness. Also if the same sizes are flown at different loads, lighter loads will get the weakest climb but will be penalized in control in heavy air or pushing through a heavy airmass. Bigger sizes have more gliding performance and also better climb in weak conditions.  In my small tests, I always state the size, the total flying weight, and afterward IMHO, the optimum weight I found in that particular glider.

NIVIUK KLimber 3 P

Glider: Klimber 3 P size 21 for a certified weight range of 73-93, and NIviuk stated its optimum weight is 84-90.

Harness used: Woody Valley X-rated 6 size XL, slightly modified to fit my taste. 

Test flown at 88, and 92 all up. 

TEST:

Here is the new super light competition/hike and fly EN-D paraglider from NIVIUK. 

After my test on the Advance Omega ULS, I will give my thoughts about the two gliders in the air. 

At first, I cannot begin before I comment on the beautiful construction and details that were made on that Niviuk glider! Guys…really impressive! From the delivered light black/orange bag that holds the Klimber3 to that precise sewing of the  N10 DOMINICO TEX CO that is used both on the upper and lower surface. The profile and diagonals are made from Porcher 70000 E91.  It weighs less than 3.0 kg as announced! Here's the link for the details: [url]https://niviuk.com/en/klimber-3-p[/url]

Laying it on the ground imposes gentle handling, as it has even lighter cloth than the Omega ULS. The Overall construction with the nitinol rods, and the risers, is nothing but excellent! A really beautiful piece of equipment! 

The Klimber 3 rises smoothly and effortlessly without any wind. It is one of the easiest 7-aspect ratio gliders to inflate. 

Flying the Klimber 3 at 92 all up, in turbulent conditions gave me a complete idea about its usability. After a few hours, I think considering the 7 aspect ratio, the Klimber 3 P is an easy EN-D to handle. Of course, it needs slightly more active pilot control than the 2 liners C’s, but still easy for a D. It resembles the Omega ULS with perhaps a little more movement inside the glider. The Kimber 3 moves slightly more in itself but is still very easy to manage. 

The brake length is shorter than the Omega ULS and as agile.  The pressure on the brakes is slightly firmer than the Omega ULS, but still on the moderate side. I think that pressure is perfect. 

I can say that the authority given by the brakes in turbulent air is quite nice, enabling the pilot to place it accurately in tiny cores. I liked the Omega ULS turning abilities, but I can tell you that I also enjoyed very much the shorter and sharper brake authority on the Klimber 3 as the responses were immediate and quite satisfying. I’m really lucky to be able to test-fly those new light gliders.

If you have flown the Artik R, and understand how it flies in the airmass, how it moves, how it enters thermals, then you will immediately understand the Klimber 3 behavior which has the exact feel but with more than 25 % workload. NIVIUK gliders have their own flying characteristics. The Klimber 3 like the Artik R, just slows slightly before entering the thermal, but the climb is quite nice for the category. In weak, and strong air, it is quite satisfying even at 92 all up on that size. If flown at 88, it will still fly as well but slows slightly more before entering. 

Please remember that those super light gliders, are built with lots of optimizations to reduce weight to let you carry the little possible and let you extract the maximum of their abilities. So don’t expect them to perform like the X one for example! But they will deliver high-end performance for that special light EN-D class especially when you push the speed bar. 

The speed travel of the Klimber 3 is quite long and delivers a higher top speed than the Omega ULS. The glide at 57 km/h is quite competitive. I think I will mix and update the 2 liner C comparison and add those lights D’s inside…Just to get an idea…(soon…)

While on the speed bar, the B steering has a moderate pressure similar to the Omega ULS and is quite efficient to keep the Klimber 3 on track.  Flying at 75 % of the speed bar, the Klimber 3 profile seems taught, and the speed is quite usable. 

Lots of stored energy inside the glider to play around, as it is addictive! but it is better not to get used to throwing it around too much!  

Ears with outer B’s are efficient, stable, and reopen quickly. 

Conclusion:

The look and the streamed line are very beautiful! the handling is sharp, precise, and joyful! It is a relatively easy 2 liner EN-D for that class of pilots. If carefully chosen, the complete package harness and glider, Vario, phone, helmet, water, and chocolate…will not exceed 7.5 kg!  A blessing of perfection, if you can fit in your weight!   

If you can…exciting moments await!  Happy flights :-)