Author: Ziad Bassil

PHi Maestro 3 size 21 and Maestro 3 LIGHT size 19. I received two gliders from PHI: the Maestro 3 21 and the Maestro 3 light 19. Those gliders are aimed at intermediate pilots for the high B category. Let’s begin with the Maestro 3 21. After a few flights, I realized that it’s better to fly the glider a bit loaded, more than the Maestro 2, which could be flown in overall conditions at 70 % of the normal weight range. Maestro 2 size 21 75-95/ extended to 100, could be flown at 93. But on the Maestro 3…

SUPAIR Savage 2 size MS (73-93). “The mood changer” Supair released its new EN-C class glider, replacing the first version of the Savage. The Savage 2 is a light and hybrid (2.5) line configuration glider that should play at the same level as the NK Artik 7 P. At the same time, I was delighted to test flying the Skywalk Poison 4 and the X-Alps 6 in the EN-D class, due to the excellent handling they deliver. Now flying the Supair Savage 2 as an EN-C, I think I was blessed to have even a higher step with the ability…

Skywalk Poison 4 (My personal avatar) The Poison 4 is SKYWALK’s new two liner EN-D glider for 2026 and beyond. It has a 6.9 aspect ratio, and it is created as their ultimate weapon for cross-country. The glider has, in my view, impeccable construction features! It is built with Skytex Porcher 27 and 40 hrs. Well-placed rods in the structure don’t feel their weight or shape on the ground. Some gliders look so stiff that you ask yourself how to pack them…The Poison 4 appears easier and lighter in that regard, weighing around 5.6 kg! Launching the Poison 4 as a regular XC…

GIN Elise 75-95 High EN-A Yep….This is an exception— and probably my first EN-A review —but things are getting interesting, it seems. Gin has introduced a light construction on the Elise and programmed it for a larger group of pilots. From talented beginners to low B glider pilots. So, let’s take a look at the outcome… Launching the new Elise with hands in your pockets is doable. Just run, and the Elise follows calmly and evenly. But of course not recommended :-). It launches flawlessly, and I don’t think any beginner will have a problem handling it. In the air, I flew the…

Skywalk X-Alps 6 / 95 + The X-Alps 6 is SKYWALK’s new 2026 model and beyond for the lightweight two-liner EN-D glider category. That X-Alps glider was used in the Red Bull X-Alps competition, with a beautiful podium for Simon Oberrauner. You can see the details of the glider here: https://skywalk.info/project/x-alps6/. The construction is simple yet beautiful and neat—thin risers, coupled with Edelrid lines. Launching the XAlps 6 at 94 all up is straightforward, even without wind. With a steady breeze, it inflates rapidly, yet it still feels very compact and doesn’t require many skills to keep it overhead. It feels easy to ground and handle…

Airdesign Hero X-ped size X-small 65-87 ( optimum 83 all up) I have already test flown the Hero 2 in sizes 75-95. Here’s the Xalp version of the Hero, named X-ped, in a smaller size. Like the Hero 2, the construction is excellent, with that nimble, very light cloth. Inflation is super easy, even in nil wind. The X-ped rises quickly, and the takeoff is eventful. In a sustained 30 km/k wind, the X-ped didn’t feel the need for extra control. Plain and very simple for the light D class category. The glider seems very taught and homogeneous. https://ad-gliders.com/project/hero-xped-yourbestmate/?lang=en Let’s fly! In the air, I flew the…

BGD Cure 3 M (75-95) The Cure 3 is the new 2025 release for BGD in the EN-C category, featuring a complete two-line design structure and a flat aspect ratio of 6.7. I flew the Cure 3 with three harnesses: Impress 4/ Arrow/ and the Flow Vissta XC. After many flights, at a lower load 90…91, in good conditions, I wasn’t blending on that glider… As I had already flown most two-liners, I thought there was definitely something wrong! So I gave that glider to my friend, and he happened to fly it at 94 all up. I took the…

NIviuk Artik R 2 size 23 I have already flown all Artik series, from the first one to this year’s 2025 model, and now I have the Artik R 2, the new release two liner EN-C glider from Niviuk. In this review, I will describe the glider and highlight the differences between the Artik R1 and R2, as well as the Artik 7 P, a hybrid released in 2025. The Artik R2 construction and details are flawless, just like Niviuk’s latest models. With a very nice manufacturing process, it looks clean, like a Swiss watch. Or should I say like a Spanish Andalusian Flamenco 🙂 To stay close…

Ozone Alpina GT ( The Yogi) Ozone introduced the Alpina GT, a three-line concept with a six-to-one aspect ratio for 2025. Many pilots ask why. There’s the new two-liner Delta 5, and also later, the light Alpina 5 will emerge. So, why go to a three-line concept? Not even a hybrid! Perhaps a little at the last 2 meters. Who is this glider for?  Let me explain the Alpina GT in full detail. The glider has a lightweight construction, weighing around 4.25 kg. The risers are traditional, rigid webbing risers and a bit heavy. Perhaps, Ozone may offer a lighter riser option. Launching the Alpina GT S…

GIN GTO 3 (ttwienada) (go-seongneung) in Korean 😉 When I was in France at the Coupe Icare, I met Mr. Gin for a meeting to discuss future GIN products. Gin was very excited about the GTO 3, as his goal was to achieve the best performance from an EN-C glider, particularly at high speeds. And after seven months, I was able to purchase the GTO 3. Wave leading edge on that design with quite a few thin lines. Lying it on the ground showed me an elegant construction. The leading edge is made from Dominico 30DMF 41g², and the…