Author: Ziad Bassil

After the beautiful Trango X-care, here’s the new 2 liner from UP. The Meru smallest size to date is the SM with a weight range of 85-105. For me it’s a big glider, and i have to add lots of ballast with my X-rated 6. First turn, and i could feel the nice brake authority on the brakes with a very nice handling for a 2 liner. Much shorter than a Zeno in response, and slightly more agile. The Meru cuts nicely into wind, and it showed me a very efficient glider in that matter. In fact the trim speed…

There was 2 cm less in some C lines, and some brake adjustments. The trim speed is slightly slower on this re-trim configuration and the Artik 5 pitches slightly back upon entering thermals. It’s still very efficient in climb and glide on top of the C category ! Everything else is still the same. Still hard on the second bar. When it’s windy the first version was perfect ! in getting through the airmass. But the management is strong air needs a good high end C pilot. Cheers, This is only my opinion. Make your own !

The Step is Supair’s new high B glider. The Step with an aspect ratio of 5.7, has a shark nose, and a refined unsheathed set on lines. With this look and construction Supair looks serious about performance gain…Lets see… I flew the S size (70-90) from 85 to 90 all up. This test concern this size with the mentioned loadings. Other sizes ‘could’ be different and flying the S size in different loads at the beginning of the range ‘could’ differ. Just to be specific. This test is an idea . Test flying is best ! Flying the Delight 3…

I personally liked the configuration of those harnesses and the way they transmit roll movements in the air. Probably the GTO and Connect race transmits a bit more the turbulent and sharp airmass sometimes, but in overall conditions they are really nice to fly. For my 1.81 and 73 kg, the GTO Light M size suits me perfectly. I also tried the L size but it seems a bit big for me. Could be ok…But i prefer the snug fit of the M size. The rescue compartment seems large enough for big rescues. A Rogallo type, can fit easily. As…

I already have flown the Delight 2, and still have one over here with a friend. So i can compare both harnesses. I will also compare in this test the Delight 3 M with the GTO, GTO Light, Lightness 2 M. The rescue system operates in an innovative way and it looks very neat. Getting into the pod is easy without any ball attachment. ”Finally the weather is improving … :-)” Under the same tested glider which is an easy C, i found out that the Delight 3 would largely compensate those dynamic drops from left to right in…

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…