I received two Sigma 11 in sizes 22 and 24. At first, let’s talk about the size 24.While the S10 had a little spice, the S11, 24 is calmer in moderate conditions. The brake authority is high on the S11, 24 as the pilot can swiftly carve the glider in the air, and it is difficult to miss a thermal core. Gliding next to a Delta 4 MS at 93 all up, I could confirm that the S11 24 at 93 has the around 95 % the same gliding power at trim and even at the S11, 24 top speed with overlapping pulleys. …
BGD Base 2 MAfter the Cure 2 EN-C here is the new Base 2 from BGD. The new generation BGD gliders seems to be developed with very good software, a new designer ‘Tom Lolies’ and it seems that they are quite different from the past creations.My friend lends me his new glider, and I flew it from 92 to 96 all up. Launching the Base 2 in nil wind requires a steady pull. It slows a bit at 45 degrees, and a little more pull to get overhead. The inflation in more than 5 km/h is easy and the take-off…
I flew both sizes, the S at 85 and the MS at 93 all up. The difference between the A4 and the Delta 4 MS for example is a better launching behavior, mainly due to the lighter materials. The A4 rises better than the Delta 4. The maneuverability and agility are the same, but probably the Alpina 4 has a slightly smoother feel, and the brake’s authority seems lighter and felt a bit more linear.
The King 2 is Triple Seven 2021 EN-D glider with an aspect ratio of 7.0 Very little openings on the shark nose leading edge all across the span.Inflation in nil wind is a challenge! So difficult to get it overhead. I tried to move my hands 20 cm higher, holding the lines. When doing so, pulling upward toward the sky as if you are helping the leading edge to rise is the best option to do. Now it is a little bit better. You need a long take off if there’s no wind! Flying the King 2 MS at different loads showed…
I was lucky to get that Artik 6 quickly that time! As it was impossible to purchase it from Niviuk. I’m surrounded by good positive people worldwide The Artik 6 has a nice construction. Every detail is very well finished. The risers, the sewing, the cloth…everything seems neat and well built. The Artik 6 is slightly lighter than the Delta 4. The glider’s weight sits between the Delta 4 and the Alpina 4. Taking off at 87 all up on the size 23 (70/90) with a GIN light 3 harness is really easy. No hardpoint, no surge, just good-mannered inflation.…
I already test flew the normal version of the Fusion in S and M size. Here’s the Fusion light version ion S size flown at 92 all up. There are loops on the C’s for that serial version, like the normal Fusion. There’s a very neutral pitch feel under the Fusion light S in thermals. It enters the rising air very smoothly. The roll movements are very balanced. Quite comfortable without being too dampened. A slightly more feel than the Delta 4, but surely very comfortable to fly. I can say it felt smoother also. In the same air, where the…
Hi,The Alpina 4 ML at 103 all up.-A smoother feel under the Alpina 4 ML.-The speed system seems to get harder to push at the second bar.-Ears are the same.-Speed is the same.The light fabric resembles the LM6 ones and feels lighter than the one used on the A3.Hi, Flew it today at 98 all up on the ML (85-105) in good conditions on a +100 k run on little endless triangles …(restricted airspace). Surprisingly, the A4 ML at that load was entering effortlessly the airmass and moving forward. The structure was really homogenous at that load. Effortless flying and…
And here it is…A beautiful looking 7.05 aspect ratio, glider with 2 liner technology and an EN-D certification.The Magus construction seems super neat. A mix of Skytex light and heavier materials were used. Launching the Magus in nil wind is a bit difficult to get it overhead. The glider must be laid down in a proper way and better to be centered when pulling the lines. Even in 20 km/h, the raise is slow but manageable for the intended pilots in that category. The Magus doesn’t snake around at all. It comes at a whole, but a little practice and patience are…
After some years of test flying many gliders from practically all categories, I felt that I needed to share with you some important issues. I also knew that a slight tolerance of a few millimeters is permitted within the certification. Today’s gliders are very sophisticated pieces of machinery. Another important issue is that when a brand new glider is released, after certification, and after some 360s and some flying hours, the lines are well placed, and that glider could offer the exact gliding properties that the company intend to deliver and a very specific dynamic behavior through the airmass. The Fusion M size…
ADVANCE Impress 4As usual, I’m always impatient to test fly an ADVANCE harness. Simply because of that extraordinary quality of construction and exquisite finish that was made in their latest designs, and the Impress 4 is the ‘Chef-d’oeuvre’ example of what ADVANCE is offering.For my 1.81 and 73 kg, the Impress 4 M suits perfectly my body shape, and felt well surrounded, and I can comment that I found it slightly bigger than the Genie light M, which I found myself at its max size potential. The Impress4 size M is similar to the Genie race4 M size, the Forza…
