Author: Ziad Bassil

Very sad and frustrated…One very big slap was taken… And we wake up with wide eyes for that special brief moment in time.The slap and the awakening:Paragliding …What’s about that sport? What is the essence of that sport? Why do we do it? the endless quest for an answer…We humans always need more and more… If there’s only ONE happiness feel, what will ‘more and more searching’ would give you further?I never liked paragliding competitions even in my youth as it contradicts what ‘free flight’ stands for, IMHO. My free-flight definition: Standing on the top of the mountain, with a good…

ADVANCE Theta ULS 25 (The Lotus) The Theta is an ADVANCE Mid B glider with a light construction. The size 25 goes from 78-99 and the recommended weight by ADVANCE is from 82 -95.I flew the Theta 25 ULS at 90 and 95 all up, in multiple conditions, from smooth to very turbulent and strong air, sometimes flying on a lee side with washing machine turbulence.Here are my impressions :Construction: Skytex 27 and 32 are used on the Theta. A very neat construction and is well-built. Unsheathed color-coded Pro Dry lines are used on the Theta. ( 60% more water-repellent than previous-generation…

GIN Camino 2 size S- 85-100 ( A ‘different’ Bonanza 3 !! ) After reviewing the Bonanza 3 here’s the test flight of the Camino 2 in the same size. I flew the Camino 2 with the Impress 4 harness at 97 all up. Launching the Camino 2 is easy for a light 2-liner C glider. Details: In nil wind, the Camino 2 needs a slight but steady pull to lift it up, as there’s pressure on the A’s, slightly more than similar light gliders. But still quite simple to launch. In +10 km/h wind, it goes evenly with that exact same pressure. In…

AD Hero 2 SAfter test-flying the EN-C VOLT 5 from AD, here is the review of the new 2024/25 Hero 2 in the 2-liner EN-D category.The Hero 2 is a light hike and fly, XC, and competition wing from Airdesign. The construction is very light with around 3.5 kg for the glider. Take-off is super easy even in little wind. The Hero 2 rises smoothly and evenly and I think it is as easy to inflate as the Omega ULS or the Zeolite 2 GT. In the air, at 89 all up, with my Impress 4 harness, the brake travel is short…

Genie race 5 size MOnce released, I received many emails to test fly the Race 5, and I tried to purchase one, but GIN replied that they have lots of orders at the moment… ;-)… So I waited for a friend to lend me his harness, and Milo was so kind to offer it for a short flight. I already test-flew the NK Drifter 2 which is a hybrid harness(Not inflatable) and also the Submarine which is similar to the Genie Race 5 with an inflatable envelope.At first sight, the Genie Race 5 has an impeccable finish! It is a very clean…

The Rise 5 is an AirDesign high EN-B glider for 2024/26. https://ad-gliders.com/project/rise-5-whatsthetrick/?lang=enAirdesign inserted new winglets on the Rise 5. I flew the Rise 5 S (72-92) from 87 to 92 all up. It flies great at 88! Launching the Rise 5 is a non-issue at all. It has easy inflation, rises smoothly, and waits for the pilot overhead in a moderate breeze. In the air with an Advance Impress 4 and later on an NK Arrow. The brake travel is short direct and precise as, after the 10 cm gap, only +10 cm is needed in most conditions to immediately steer the glider…

Davinci Funky 2 The Funky 2 is Davinci high performance EN-B. It is constructed with a 3-line concept and unsheathed lines everywhere. The Funky 2 has lots of features with a special leading-edge look, including the smart Nose Plus. I’ll let you see all the Funky 2 specs here: https://flydavinci.com/products/paragliders/funky-2/ Launching the Funky2 even without wind is straightforward without any hard points. A smooth take-off with no wind. In strong windy takeoff, the Funky 2 with the right input felt very smooth and gentle. Turning the Funky 2 is a real pleasure! The turning radius can be made…

https://6612e396daf78de9e4a23d28–meek-twilight-c5f9d1.netlify.app/index_b_glider. .

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AirdesignI’m not the only one who is noticing, I think…! Something is interesting at AIR-DESIGN. A cooler approach toward the pilots with their marketing ads and cool videos, funny and unique. They seem to cook magical recipes on their private planet.All this shows highly creative teamwork. For example: They released the first certified 2 liner C category (Volt4) in Feb -2022 They now released three new gliders B-C-D at the same time!!! including the Rise 4 EN-B (1st B glider with the new fashionable winglets) and the 2nd generation of a 2-liner C glider the Volt 5! And last is the Hero 2 as a…