Author: Ziad Bassil

After trying Swing’s high-performance C glider, the Agera RS here is another Light C with less aspect ratio, the “Helios” The Helios S (75-95) flown at 92 has a moderate to light brake travel. The authority on the brakes is very sweet in thermals. Immediate control is delivered by the brakes, and the turning radius inside a thermal is accurate. The climb rate is nice for that glider. In weak conditions, I couldn’t say it’s very floaty but ok… The glide angle is in the first half of the C category. The speed bar is easy to induce, and way…

The Rise 4 is the new 2020 high B glider from Air design with an aspect ratio of 6. The turning radius inside the thermal can be very narrow, due to the short, precise and agile behavior of the wing. The brake pressure is on the average side, with a linear brake response. The climbing performance in (no wind, no sea breeze) is excellent ! as the Rise 4 floats inside that thermal without losing it. It’s just when there’s a wind factor or a valley breeze, that things changed a bit. I tried to fly the Rise 4 at…

Ziad: 1- Why are you aiming to release the Phantom 2? And what level of pilots it’s targeted for? That’s why we never really considered making the Phantom a “one-time thing”. We think, that that’s what made it so successful: It’s easy to fly. 2- Can you describe the intended performance in active air toward the upper classes? No. 4- I have flown the Mentor 6 normal cloth and the light version in the same size. I felt more connected via the light cloth. It seems different and more enjoyable… How can that difference in feel? 1.) The reduced mass itself:…

Disclaimer: I couldn’t get a hold of one as our dealer received again, (a note) No Cure 2 for Ziad! Gliders sent only to a “controlled” environment is an underestimation of the good pilots out there in the world, especially with the presence of a large social media network. I wouldn’t want the dealer to have any problems, so I waited until the demo was finally sold to a friend (Northern Eagles Club) flying in the north part of Lebanon. I visited him, and he was so kind as to lend me his new toy. BGD Cure…

I asked OZONE R&D, Mr. Luc Armant, a few questions concerning some interesting future designs. Ziad: 1- Will the new Delta 4 be certified this spring? Z: 2- Will it have a moderate aspect ratio? Like its predecessor? Z: 3- Will the use of the collapse line be used in the new C class? And on the D4? Z: 4- Can you please comment on the strong points of Zeno 2 you are focusing on? Will it have sharper Handling? Z: 5- Will the Zeno 2 get the same sizes as the Delta Rush series? Example 75-95…etc. Or will it follow the Zeno 1 pattern?…

Flow is the new Australian brand. The XC racer is their EN-D 2 liner glider, and they released a beautiful new CCC, the Spectra. My friend, lend me his M size ( 80-103 ) to test fly it. At first glance, I opened the package and saw a minimalistic line distribution, with a sliding B riser, and C control steering. That amount of very few lines means ‘performance’….Let’s see… Launching the Fusion with its 6.3 aspect ratio is a piece of cake. Steady pull, and no surge forward, after a small brake input. Full bar is achieved without any tension…

PHI Maestro 19 X-Alps The X-Alps light material is super easy to launch. The handling and the way to turn the X-Alps 19 is super agile. The C steering has a moderate efficiency and it’s a bit hard to pull but doable. The top speed is also high for the category and fully usable. The best way I found, is to push the bar a bit and use the brakes inside the thermals. It’s weird, but it’s better! The Maestro at 40 % of the bar is more efficient than at trim in entering the cores and keeping in…

Chrigel Maurer won the 2019 X-alps an OXA 3 size 23! So, already the OXA 3 23, showed an exceptional potential in the hands of one of the best paragliding pilot in the world. In this test, I will only share the differences in feel and behavior in flight for the size 22, regarding the Zeno S and the Leopard. I flew the OXA 3 22 with three harnesses. Skyman X-alps 2019, Delight3, and Ozium 2. The roll movements in turbulent air are slightly over the Leopard and the Zeno but the structure is very compact and resembles the Zeno…

B Comparison Chart (Updated) 4/9/2019 https://public.tableau.com/profile/ziad.bassil#!/vizhome/BGlidersPerformance/Dashboard_Comparision

The brake pressure on the M6 XS Light is ‘lighter’ in power compared to the normal version. The handling and the way to turn the M6 Light is smoother and very agile. I was super satisfied test flying the Light version, and I think I’ll keep that one especially for my personal pleasure! The trim and top speed match the normal version which is excellent for the category. Surprisingly the flapping ears disappeared from the normal version! I flew the M6 light is some turbulent air, and never got any wing tip collapses! To define a newcomer I must slightly…