OZONE Delta 2 (La
Classe!)
Back in 2010, the first Delta 1 emerged. Test flying the
Delta 1 M size showed a very comfortable ride, combined with superb
performance. It was happily used all over the world in some of the nastiest
air…The only thing I wasn’t comfortable with was its long and a bit delayed
handling and the inconvenient pitch back when entering a thermal.
Now I have a Delta 2 ML and SM for a test flight.
Nowadays there’s a lot of nice C gliders out there, and to
describe better the Delta 2, I am being a bit specific and explanative on this
report.
Today I flew the Delta 2 SM at 91 all up!
Launching: With its highly present shark nose the Delta 2
cannot be easier to launch! It’s
like a B glider with no overshooting tendencies for the intermediate pilot…
In the air: Once in the air the Delta 2 gives an immediate
comfortable feeling.
Its feels like on rails, but with some very polite feedback,
just the necessary amount for the pilot in the C category letting him feels the
air.
The brakes have an average to light pressure with very
linear response! The Delta 2 can be steered inside the thermals with just 15 cm
of travel, making the Delta 2 a superb thermal weapon for precision and agility!
In homogenous thermal conditions, a pilot cannot be indifferent
by that excellent turning radius!
In very disorganized turbulent thermals, I found that the
best way to sustain that nice turning radius is to weight shift with the turn
.The energy of the Delta 2 will let the educated pilot putting it where he
wants even in choppy air!
In the opposite of the Delta 1 the pitch ability in sniffing
the thermals of the Delta 2 is the best feeling a C glider has until now!
It has an excellent light pitch forward when entering a
thermal, and that is outstanding, reminding me of the class above!
It has the ability to pull you gently inside the thermals
and nicely inside those cores.
For that special characteristic I cannot but cherish the
Delta 2 ability to search forward!
In very light conditions, I found the Delta 2 to be very
efficient! Encountering a light thermal, the leading edge slide smoothly inside
the lift letting the vario beep positively in a light constant rate…High-end D
pilots will understand what I mean…
In some strong cores the Delta 2 reacts like a loaded spring,
lifting immediately upward and reminding me some high aspect ratio gliders!
Inside those strong homogenous cores the handling of the
Delta 2 can be described as very agile!
When flying the Delta 2 in turbulent conditions, it seems to
give its pilots some comfortable and shake resistance ability!
Big ears with the outside lines are stable, efficient
especially coupled with the accelerator. Not like on the M4, but still fine.
They do not open completely by themselves, and need a pull on
the brakes.
The speed system is light and if the lines on the
accelerator are precisely installed, a single push with one bar can access 90 %
of the speed travel, which gives the impression of an immediate boost in speed!
At full bar the Delta 2 increases its speed over trim by
12-13 km/h, and yet the leading edge is very stable and very usable.
Big and high wingovers are doable with the Delta2 and
quickly built.
Getting into a debate for the performance numbers or in calm
air glides of the Delta 2 is the least that any pilot should have to look at,
because its superb performance is efficiently ‘usable’ in every condition.
Who’s the glider for?
I cannot say that the glider is super comfortable like a B
glider…It is a C, exactly in the middle of the category. Educated pilots who
have flown 2 seasons on a high end B will be welcomed onboard the Delta 2.
You cannot give a refined bottle of wine to taste other than
a ‘connaisseur’ ;-)
Pluses: Handling,performace,climb rate, Into wind
performance,Comfort,efficiency, usability…
Minuses: Not found!
Just one detail. The brake pulleys tend to jam a bit the
brake lines, if those are pulled close to the risers.
If the brakes are pulled far from the risers there’s no
problem of getting jammed. After my friend on the ML size landed he complained
about that also!
I hope OZONE will immediately change those pulleys or solve
that small problem.
Conclusion: (Please excuse my fairytale, and poetic
conclusion)
With the Delta 2 OZONE has produced an excellent product, rare
in the C category for its ‘fine characteristics’ and which fits exactly in its
middle.
As if:
Once upon a time there was an Elf that sneaks every night to
the OZONE factory, and fine tune those Delta 2’s.The next day the gliders are
sent away and open the doors to long XC flights to the land of never ‘never
land’ ;-) and at the end of each day when gravity calls and at the landing
time, it was told to look into a mirror as all will surprisingly look ‘enchanted’
as if they were submerged by the ‘Magic ‘of flying.
Did I say I liked it? ;-)
Did I say I liked it? ;-)
