UPDATE EN-D comparisons.

Launching:
1- Omega 8 25@94 = Magus XC2 = Poison 3 S @ 94 =Mantra 4 ML /MS (Very easy even in no wind)
2- GTO M & GTO Small
3- AD-Pure -Venus 2 M& S
4- Peak 2

A- Climb with a head wind (>15 km/h)
1- Mantra 4 ML @ 103 – AD-PURE M/S @ 93
2- Mantra M/S @ 93 - GTO M @ 103, Magus XC 2  25  @ 96
3- PEAK 2 24 @ 60 % of the load range
4- Omega 8 25 =POISON 3 S @ 95 = VENUS 3 M @ 104
5-. Venus 2 M @ 103

B- Climb > 2m/s without head wind
1-Mantra 4 ML @ 100= Magus XC 2  25  @ 96
2- AD-PURE M/S @ 93 = Mantra 4 M/S @ 93
3- GTO M @103
4- PEAK 2 24 & POISON 3 S
5-Venus 2 M =Omega 8 25
6- Venus 3 M

C- Climb in weak thermals (< 0.3m/s)
1-Mantra 4 ML @ 98 (lightly loaded)= Magus XC 2  25  @  96 ( very efficient)
2- GTO M @ 103 = Peak 2 24 @ 90 lightly loaded = Venus 2 M @104 (loaded) =
3- POISON 3 S (close difference)
4- Mantra 4 ML @ 103 (loaded) ! = Mantra 4 M/S @ 93 (loaded) AD-Pure M/S @ 93
5- Venus 3 M @ 103
6- Omega 8 25 @ 94

Glide at trim:
1- Mantra 4 ML @ 100
2- AD-Pure M/S @ 93= Magus XC 2  25  @  96
3- Mantra 4 M/S @ 93
4- GTO M
5- Peak 2 (very close to GTO M)
6- Poison 3 S @ 94 =Omega 8 25 @ 94
7- Venus 3 M @ 103

Glide at first bar:
1-Mantra 4 ML @100 = AD-Pure M/S @ 93
2-Mantra 4 M/S @ 93 = Magus XC 2  25  @ 96
3- GTO M @103
4-Peak 2 24 @102
5-Poison 3 S @ 94=Omega 8 25 @ 94 (very close)
6-Venus 3 M @ 103

Handling in still air:
1-Omega 8 25 (A delight!)
2-Poison 3 S = Magus XC 2 25 @ 96
3-Peak 2 24 (crispy and linear)=Venus 3 M
4-Mantra 4 MS @ 93
5-Mantra 4 ML @ 100 (Turns with a little delay)
6-AD-Pure M/S @ 93 (precise)
7- GTO M @ 103 (Turns with a little more delay)
They could be very close with a big difference between the O8 and the GTO M.

Handling and maneuverability in average conditions "with thermals":
1- Omega 8 25 @ 94 =Mantra 4 ML@ 100=Mantra 4 M/S @ 93= Magus XC 2  25  @ 96
2-AD-Pure M/S @ 93
3-Mantra R-10.3 S @ 98
4-EVO-X 24/ Peak 2 24/Poison 3/ Venus 3 M
5-GTO M

Now the most important is the “handling in rough air”, and I mean is that some gliders when encountering multiple cores and punchy turbulent thermals, will react to their own, because their inside pressure is more stronger than the controls and the brake inputs the pilot are inducing. The pilot below will be a passenger for a while till the glider settles in. The more time it will take, the worse sensations you will passively feel. And that’s not good.
Some in those same conditions will be more reactive to the brake inputs, the pilot underneath is inducing and could place them wherever he wants despite the rough conditions. And that’s good efficient handling.
It is always much better being the pilot underneath a wing rather being a passenger even though for a short period.

Handling in rough air:
1-Omega 8 25 @ 94  =  Magus XC 2 25  @ 96
2-Poison 3 S @ 94= AD-Pure M/S @ 95
3-Peak 2 24 @ 98 =Mantra 4 ML @100 =Venus 3 M= Mantra M/S @ 95
4-GTO M @ 103
5-GTO S @ 94

Comfort: (movements under the glider in turbulent conditions)
1- Poison 3 @ 96 (Unbelievable for an EN-D !! )  = Magus XC 2  25  @ 96
2- AD-Pure M/S @ 93 (very close to Poison 3)
3-Mantra M/S @ 93= mantra 4 ML @ 103
4- Peak 2-24 9/10 (very dampened, very close)
5- GTO M & Omega 8 25 @ 94 8.8/10
6- Venus 2 M 8.5 /10
7- Venus 2 Small 8/10
8-Venus 3 M
9- GTO Small 4/10

Easiness in flight: (In average conditions, where the pilot would be able to understand better the glider movements)
1-Poison 3= Mantra 4 ML= Mantra 4 M/S @ 95  = Magus XC 2  25  @ 96
2- Peak 2 24=AD-Pure M/S @ 95
3-GTO M
4-Omega 8 25
5-EVO-X 24
6-Venus 3 M
7-Mantra R-10.3

Stable ears in turbulent conditions !
1-Omega 8 25 = Skywalk Poison 3 =Mantra 4 ML =Mantra 4 M/S @ 95 (Stable) = Magus  XC 2  25
2- EVO-X 24 (Stable)=Venus 3 M Stable
3-GTO M (a little unstable)
4-Peak 2 24 (Not stable)
5-AD-Pure @ 95 (Not stable)
6- Mantra R-10.3 (Not stable)
 
Landing and maneuver approaches to top land.
1-Poison 3=Mantra 4 ML= AD-Pure M/S @ 93 = Magus XC 2  25 @ 96
2-Omega 8 25 = Venus 2 M & S=Mantra 4 M/S 2 93
3-Peak 2= Venus 3 M
4- GTO M
5- GTO S

MAC PARA MARVEL EN-C

Mac Para Marvel

And finally it arrived.

As with all Mac Para gliders this Marvel also made by Gin factory has an excellent finish.

The Marvel has an aspect ratio of 6.5 for the EN-C certification, and laying it on the ground shows clearly its sporty look.

Launching the Marvel with 10 km/h wind require a light but steady pull on the risers to get the glider above your head. So I think it could be a plus in strong wind.

In the air:

Getting next to similar EN-C gliders gave me immediately the feeling of an excellent climb rate, especially in weak conditions. That’s the strong point of the Marvel.

The turns are flat with a nice handling .It isn’t the most agile EN-C, but I think that was pretty enough to enjoy my flight.

In turbulent and nasty conditions the Marvel require active piloting to keep it over my head. The 6.5 Aspect ratio is present. Nothing out of the ordinary for an EN-C, but I will rate it as a high end EN-C in terms of control.

Performance:

Gliding next to some recent C’s and some 2011 top D’s, I can confirm that the Marvel is up there with the leaders in the recent C category, for efficient gliding, whether it is in headwind glides or in calm air.

The designer Mr Peter Recek has a small tip to get those Marvel pilots a better squeeze for their glide. Here it is:

We have managed nice glide increase by bending the C straps of 2-3 cm (on Marvel and Magus XC2) when flying accelerated 25-50%. With this shortening the speed is a bit decreased but the glide increases significantly.

I have tried that.

In calm or moderate air the glide feels like it has improved.

In “turbulent, shaky headwind glides”, it needs more practice to keep it leveled with the C risers, and as Peter said it was a bit slower.

Big ears are small, not really too efficient, and the glider felt a bit loosing “slightly” its homogeneity with a decrease in speed. They do not open by themselves and need a gentle long pull from each side at the time.

Conclusion:

The Marvel with its 6.5 aspect ratio feels and looks sporty like you are on an EN-D glider but with a passive safety of the EN-C certification.

Climbs are superb, and could be easily the best in the C category!

Its glide and surfing character will take you whenever you want, with no excuse or any blame for the glider.

It is the high end “C” glider you can train on to hit safely the D class.

https://picasaweb.google.com/110040226962521480605/MacParaMARVEL

MAcPara MAGUS XC 2

Mac Para Magus XC 2

The MAGUS XC 2 was already available in may 2011 to order, but I wasn’t able to get any Mac Para glider.

Now I have one to test fly.

The construction of the XC2 is superb. This glider is manufactured in GIN factory. In fact, putting the Boom GTO and the Magus XC 2 close on the ground, shows an identical sail finish.

There’s some Mylar on the leading edge and some plastic reinforcements.

Launching this glider with 6.8 AR is relatively easy for that category, and I didn’t find any thing unusual about it, but finding myself quickly airborne even in light wind take off.

I flew the XC 2 25 (82-100) at 97 all up, in some weak and other turbulent conditions, and here’s what I found:

The XC 2 move as a bloc above my head and it can be a bit disconcerting at first, because of the easiness of flight!

I thought a 6.8 AR will have to be a bit more twitchy! But it is not.

The feeling of comfort under the XC 2 reminds me of the Omega 8, which is smooth and predictable.

It does have some roll movements without being overmanageable or annoying.Just as it should to make the most out of the conditions.

The handling is nice but not too agile like some EN-C gliders .I think it has a very nice and coordinated handling for a 6.8 EN-D glider.

The glider feel taught in the middle more than the extremities, so that the pressure for inducing big ears is very light and the ears stays in place and needs a dab on each side to get them open.

Performance:

As with every glider this is the best part that the pilots will read with open eyes ;-)

After flying with some recent gliders in the same category, I found the Magus XC2 to be very competitive and the 10-figure number on L/D is manageable. The strong point of the XC 2 is its climb rate.

I can put this glider in the box of the special ones. Let me explain:

There are some gliders who doesn’t have the best glide ratio or the best climb rate on paper, but these gliders are always compensating for those numbers standing by their pilots …

I mean if I am going XC with some 12 L/D glider and encounter a low point with turbulent and difficult small thermal without the possibility to get the most out of it, I might land.

But the XC2 is among those gliders that really do compensate for pilot errors or thermal disorder, and stays level waiting to get up high again.

Eventually all gliders will land but my feeling is that with the XC2, the chances are just a bit better, especially in disorganized thermal activity.

Gliding at 50 % of the bar travel is easy with a relatively soft speed system, and at 100% the glide remain impressive with a pressurized taught feel !

Among the recent EN-D’s I have tested (8) ,the Magus XC 2 is indeed a special glider with balanced behavior !

It will be my favorite as the Omega 8 is.

Conclusion:

The Magus XC 2 is an amazing glider for EN-D pilots, or even talented pilots coming from the EN-C category, will find a glider that can help them achieve their goals in a smooth way.

Test report soon.

 https://picasaweb.google.com/110040226962521480605/MacParaMagusXC2







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Air Design RISE

AD RISE

40 long days of non-stop rain and snow finally came to an end giving us a break for 3 sunny days.

The RISE has unsheathed lines on the upper cascades and regular on the lower part. AD designed the RISE to have top performance in the EN-B segment, and is intended for XC flying.

Launching:

Pulling on the A’s, the glider comes steady above my head without a surge and I found the take off to be very easy.

In the air:

Having flown many EN-B’s before, I found that the RISE M like to be a bit loaded at 75 % of the weight range to feel it better. I was flying the M size at 102 all up.

I cannot describe The RISE as an agile glider but the turns in the thermals are easy to induce with a moderate brake pressure.

The pitch back movement of the glider in entering the thermals is dampened but does exist a bit.

I found the climb rate in weak thermals to be a bit less the Mentor 2 but average to well.

Climb rate in strong thermals are good.

Gliding into wind with a Mentor 2 at trim and accelerated showed a “nearly” close performance, with a much comforting ride under the RISE.

The accelerator on the RISE is smooth on my Impress 2 and I could push it easily all the way with a very good glide angle!

The RISE could be slowed a bit better than the M 2 for a narrow and tight landing.

Conclusion:

Air Design has created a nice high end EN-B glider which is intended for experienced pilots who want the safety of an EN-B glider + the top end performance in that category.

With those new performing EN-B’s long XC’s are now possible with a good level of security and passive safety.