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NIVIUK ARTIC 3

Ziad Bassil6

NIVIUK Artic 3

 

One of my favorite gliders at the time was the Artic 2,which I flew for a
year .I appreciated its efficiency in the air and it’s beautiful
handling. I was waiting for the Artic 3 to see what the designer has
been cooking. And finally it arrived!

The glider has no Mylar like on the Artic 2. Instead light panels with
plastic reinforcements on the edge of the cell like all the new
generation gliders.

Take off is easy, as it rises smoothly above your head.

Immediately after take off, the Artic 3 shows a high trim speed, around 40 km/h, with a certain sense of security.

After some glide tests with some modern EN-C’s I can put the Artic 3 at
the “TOP” of the EN-C gliders I have tested until this day, no question
about it, especially at first bar.

The Artic 3 is a fast glider at second bar with a very competitive glide! And it seems to have also the fastest top speed.

Precise, linear, short, medium to hard brake pressure, reacts on weight
shift and exceptionally beautiful, is what I can describe the handling
of the Artic 3.

It has the tendency to turn flat and efficient. Lowering the brakes for a
quick turn, the Artic 3 responds beautifully and when released, the
glider quickly leveled to stay flat.

Even loaded at max on the 25, the Artic 3 will help you make low saves
without loosing that weak thermal, by its ability to search forward
without excessive pitch and roll, and that quality enable the Artic 3 to
float better.

Big ears are made with the B3 lines, and they look funny, and applying the bar can achieve -3.5 m/s.

Conclusion: NIVIUK made an excellent job by creating a superb, very
performing and balanced glider in the EN-C category .I think I am going
to keep that one…

 

https://picasaweb.google.com/110040226962521480605/NIVIUKArtic3

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4 Comments

  1. Peter on

    Hi Ziad

    nice review. I see like the glider. Can you compare the glider with the previous generation of EN-D like for instance Axis Venus 2?

    Thanks
    Peter

    Reply
  2. Ziad Bassil on

    Hi Peter,
    The Artic 3 has little better glide at trim and accelerated than the Venus 2.It is much easier to fly,and has smoother,more direct and friendly handling.
    In tricky ,windy and small conditions there will be always advantage to those thin,high end 2-3 gliders.But the difference is very small.
    Cheers,
    Ziad.

    Reply
  3. Peter on

    Hi Ziad,

    thank you very much for your comments. I am looking forward to further reviews (e.g. Aspen4). It is a pity that new hot EN-C from Axis called Phobos (or most likely it will be called Janus) is not certified yet. I heard it is based on Venus 2 and would like to see a review of it.

    Reply
  4. Mark on

    Hi Ziad,

    I have a shortlist of the Artik3 and Aspen4, and am looking forward to your thoughts on the Aspen 4 to help me decide which to go for. For me stability in flight is more important than absolute performance.

    Cheers, Mark.

    Reply
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