OZONE Alpina 2 SM
Launching :
I don’t think it could get easier than that !! The lighter cloth helps
positively with the glider lift. The Delta 2 was easy, the Alpina 2 is
even easier !
In the air :
I flew the D2 SM often to confirm that the feeling under the Alpina 2 SM is ‘different’
How different ?
On the SM size i could feel that the Delta 2 liked to cut through
thermals and it felt like a more compact solid glider going slightly
positive searching the thermals, where on the Alpina 2 is more like a
softer glider with neutral reactions when entering a thermal with a
pitch zero response…
In fact the Alpina 2 moves a bit on its extremities a little more than a
Delta 2 which moves more as a whole. Despite having slightly more roll
movements in the air than the Delta 2, it has a softer reaction to
turbulence.
The handling with similar loadings is a bit or should i say slightly
less sharp than a delta 2 .It is very reactive to brake input but with a
small dive in turns. So another approach a bit different than a D2 in
turning is required by braking a bit the other side.
However the climbs are still brilliant…
Gliding on the Alpina 2 gives it’s passenger a pillow feel…Where the
Delta would feel more rigid, the Alpina 2 looks like a soft cotton ball.
( I am being picky because they practically are the same gliders with
different cloth) And there’s a difference !
Two years ago when i tested the Delta 1 and the Alpina 1, the sharper one was the Alpina 1.
Now the sharper feel comes more from the Delta 2, rather than the Alpina 2.
Gliding power is there ! It floats nicely in the air.
Big ears are stable, but slightly less than a D2 and open also slightly faster.
Slow speed characteristics are also found exactly on the Alpina 2.
Conclusion :
Similar performance and lighter. As i am a handling freak, may be i am
toward the sharper feel and efficient handling of the Delta 2, but the
Alpina 2 delivers the same amount of superb performance with a lighter
package.
Update: After some flights,i realized that the Alpina 2 has a slight better climb rate than the Delta 2 SM with same loadings.
