Author: Ziad Bassil

SKY Aeon M (80-95) The launching is homogenous and easy. It resembles the LM6 launching behavior. The difference is that the LM6 brake are slightly firmer and it feels more as a block, the Aeon feels quite tamer, slightly less feel on the brakes, and less dynamic movements in overall conditions. The differences in behavior between the LM6 and the Aeon are very different, as one pilot will appreciate the stiffer feel of the LM6 and brake pressure connectivity, to the slightly softer canopy feel but (still very coherent) of the Aeon with a softer but still responsive brake feel. …

Five years ago, i flew the first Atlas in S size also. I still remember the crispy and agile handling, and the very good float ability into wind. Now i have the new Atlas replacement to see what are the changes. First thermal and turning inside the core is done with 25-30 cm of brake travel. The pressure on the brakes are not light nor heavy, just perfect. The Atlas 2 S response is relatively quick and the turning ability is good for the low B category. The precision on the brakes are also nice for the low B category.…

Lots and lots of strong wind…everyday from sea level (45 km/h) to 3000 m (100 km/h) ! I never seen such a bad weather for paragliding in this part of the world 🙁 … Until the weather settles….One day hopefully soon 🙂 Ziad

When I purchase a certified glider from a dealer or a manufacturer, I ‘always’ make sure to say that this *public product* is for my tests and it will be published on my blog and in the social media. I need to be totally free to test, write and publish my small, and humble opinion. Manufacturers or especially dealers will try always to correct and to explain and also to re-explain some misunderstandings with extra headache that I prefer not to engage… As an independent reviewer, I test exactly the purchased glider I receive. My humble opinion about that glider is…

The Punk is BGD replacement for the Base in the high B category. With an aspect ratio of 5.4 the Punk has a nice line configuration and width to match current high B gliders. The overall construction is well made with a shark nose. I flew the Punk M (75-95) from 90 to 94. It’s quite flyable in 90 all up in moderate conditions. In small punchy thermals i found it best to be at the top weight in order to cut through, and turn immediately on command. I can describe the handling as more linear inside a turn, and…

FLOW Cosmos S size Flow is an Australian company which offers a new range of gliders. In the PWC every pilot saw their new EN-D 2 liner (XC racer) which gave good competitive results. Here’s their new mid B glider the Cosmos in size S. The construction and details are ok. The lines are thick and i think Flow is being very conservative about their lines on the Cosmos. I don’t think those lines will move after heavy use. They are bigger than any Low B glider or even some A’s. Launching the Cosmos S at 92 is smooth.The glider…

I flew the last Gin race harnesses in size M .Here’s my opinion about the the race 4. The sitting position of the M size is ideal for my height of 1.81 m. The legs are naturally supported and the seat comfort is like sitting in a comfortable Recaro seat. I didn’t need to use the foot pad on this size. The back support is excellent ! I didn’t find any pressure on my back during my flights. It resembles the excellent first Races back comfort ! But for sure everything else is perfected pretty well. Opening the chest strap…

With 6.5 aspect ratio, Air design is introducing their 2018/2019 C glider. The Volt 3 comes up really well, and inflates quite easy for this aspect ratio. The take off is immediate. It’s quite nice at 90 all up in all conditions, but i found it best at 93. The information of the air in moderate conditions is filtered and moderately sensed by the pilot. A little more informative than the Artik 5 which is sometimes too dampened, and not too informative like the Sector S, but rather toward a Delta 3 comfortable feel with more roll movements and a…

It was obvious when test flying the Tequila (Four) two years ago, i wrote that that low B had some super fine qualities and incredible handling. Many pilots around the world had sent me email’s about their happy experience underneath that glider. Also many reported that for a low B it was a bit handful in strong air especially for fresh pilots coming from an A glider. For sure the Tequila 4 has some incredible flying qualities enabling it to surf quite well in tricky air without loosing on glides. So i think SKYWALK philosophy was to introduce a glider…

In the C category, Niviuk is introducing it’s Artik 5 for 2018 with an aspect ratio of 6.3. The construction details are really nice, with Nitinol rods on the leading edge and a shark nose. I flew the Artik 5 24 from 90 to 95 . Flew this glider in multiple conditions, from weak to slightly strong, and sometimes turbulent with some sharp 7m/s thermals. To understand this glider better i was alternating on the same day, landing and flying the Alpina 3 MS and the Sector XS. Explanation: The movements under the Artik 5 are at first a slight…