Author: Ziad Bassil

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. .

https://meek-twilight-c5f9d1.netlify.app/.

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…

I didn’t feel or see any yaw movements under the Meru 2. The structure is like a monobloc with calmer movements than Zeno 2. Saying that in strong air, it requires around 35 % more active piloting than a 2 liner C-class glider like Artik/R or Trango-X for example. I flew in the company of a Zeno 2 MS at 96 as I was on the Meru 2 at 96.5 all up. In very weak thermals less than 0.5 m/s, both seem close inside that weak climb. In stronger cores above 2 m/s also seems very efficient with a good…

And finally, it was released, and I received the latest full-on competition harness from Niviuk. The Drifter 2.I’m a fan of good quality products! And this Drifter 2 built quality is the top you can find. (Pls see attached a few ‘close-up pictures’) I already test-flew the Submarine, which has an inflatable outside shell and is considered to provide less drag resulting in more gliding performance.Hybrid harness explanation:The DRIFTER 2 is equipped with two cockpits. A small one that lets your instruments/power bank appear through the plastic window. Another lower bigger compartment ( see pic) for your ballast, instruments..etc…Installing a regular…