Skyman Cross 2 Alps 24
Skyman released their 2021 light EN-C. The CrossAlps 2. I have here the site 24 and I flew it at 93 all up.
The workmanship on that glider looks very neat. The light cloth seems the same used on the first version. There are some stainless steel small anchors in the leading edge to prevent the glider is sliding on snowy take-offs.
The construction looks perfect. The risers are minimalistic, colorful, and properly sewed. (see pic)
There are 2 A’s, 2 B’s, and 2 C’s!
Launching the CrossAlps is super easy, even in nil wind. It comes up smoothly and evenly.
Flying the size 24 at 93 felt very good in overall conditions. The Cross Alps despite its aspect ratio has a nice authority on the brakes! In this test, I will compare it with the Alpina 4 and mainly the Savage because of the same aspect ratio of 6.5. And will talk also about the difference between the first version and the new one.
I found out that the CrossAlps can be steered narrower in thermals with a higher authority on the brakes than the Savage. The A4 felt slightly more maneuverable than the CrossAlps, but it has an aspect ratio of 6.0.
The brakes travel felt shorter than the Savage similarly loaded, and similar to the Delta 4 MS in travel lengths.
The CrossAlps is a maneuverable glider. My C comparison is updated for the little details if needed.
In turbulence, the CrossAlps seems also more comfortable to fly than the Savage, and very close to the very comfortable A4 MS. Overall the CrossAlps seems very forgiving and quite manageable for its aspect ratio. The pitch movements are nearly absent, and the roll is very manageable and I could say quite tame for the C category.
Climb rate> Flying the CrossAlps next to The Artik 6 which has an excellent climb rate, showed me that the CrossAlps is matching the best C’s, even in very weak thermals. I was impressed by the good efficiency of thermals. Probably even slightly better than the first version which had a very nice climb rate.
Loading it at 95 would enhance the authority in turbulent air and with a neutral pitch, the CrossAlps will climb very well.
Gliding power> I made a few runs next to my reference Cs. The new CrossAlps 2 has I think a complete whole point or more over the 1st version at trim speed. And close to the good ones in the C category.
Pushing the speed bar at max, on the CrossAlps gave me around 11 km/h over trim, and could match the Savage top speed. The pressure is moderate. The glide at trim and at top speed is also mentioned in my C comparison if pilots do want to look for smaller details.
Big ears with the outer A’s are big, just because there’s only 2 A ’S. They are unstable and a bit difficult to maintain.
Landing is easy and eventful with a nice flair to land it in tight places.
Conclusion: I think Skyman has made a much calmer CrossAlps than the first version. The authority on the brakes is also smoother, less sharp, more forgiving. The ears were better on the first version. The climb rate matches the first version, but the glide is very much improved at trim. Overall the CrossAlps 2 is a more friendly user glider than the first version. Longer flights with probably 60% less workload than the 1st one!
