Thermik B-class test 1-2 2013

As before, the focus of pilots and manufacturers located on the EN B class. After all, 10 gliders made in fall 2012 trip to Southern Spain with our large Testival. And there were those new Basisintermediates not even going for a private Testival is provided. Moreover, had some renowned manufacturers (Nova, Niviuk, Swing, Advance) their new EN B-cars are not for this time fertiggeslellt Testival ...

Similar to the C-Class, the scene speaks of the time completely maxed EN B gliders. To score in the "people's XC-Klass" to Mentor and Co. can, one must exhaust the class to the extreme. These and similar statements could be heard by some manufacturers recently. In our opinion, some of the models this testivals clearly meet this targeted performance hype, unlike the C-Class appeared to us that this Paragliders testivals but-as far as the pilot claim - well within.

1. THE FIELD TEST

The following devices have been tested

Air Design Rise

Düdek Optic M 26

Gradient Nevada 26

lcaro Wildcat TE M

Independence Geronimo M

Mac Para Eden 5 26

Skyman Heartbeat 25

Sol Ellus 4 M

Triple Seven Rook M

U-Turn Blacklight SM

A high quality test field with many wings of renowned manufacturers as well as wings of relatively young manufacturer (Air Design Rise, Triple Seven Rook), in the last second has it. Nor the new intermediates of Mac Para, who succeeded Eden 5 in the test group

Editors were to end at Eden 5 and Geronimo load testing and Homologationstestflüge been successfully completed, the Homologationserteilung is pending.

AIRDESIGN RISE M

1. 1. AirDesign designer Stephan Stiegler has once again put its know-how in the elaborate harness the Rise. There comes a differentiated acceleration system (ball) was used, as well as 4 (!) Quality full metal rollers.

2. 2. Smart! Mini-strap made of linen material.

3. 3. Clean locking and oversewing of the main lines.

4. 4. Very clean and the processing of the attachment points in the sail is down inside: On small Mylarverstärkungen the attachment points sewn several times and thus form a superior strain relief.

DUDEK OPTIC 26 M

1. Even the optic of Dudek offers a clean finish: In the photo you can see a by means of zigzag stitching nicely processed protective tape.

2. The trend towards large, high-rollers has also kept in the acceleration of the optic system tray.

3. The leadership of the plastic rods at the leading edge is sewn consuming. Defective rods can be changed by the pilot himself.

4. Similar to Rise (see left) even when the optic attachment points inside the cap are high quality sewn to continue leading strain relief on Mylar.

GRADIENT NEVADA 26

1. Only 7 color separate main lines per page, the Nevada.

2. Full metal rollers of Austrialpine in Nevada Acceleration System, as well as a swirl against turning the brake lines.

3. Smart solved Segelraffsystem in the trailing edge, that the sail on both sides during braking inputs streamlined the eyelet. The slipping through the eye piece has a linen coat, which is continuing from Bremstopleine unsheathed racing line material.

4. "Gibus arcs" in the sail inside: The Nevada is the only wing in this Testival, the semi-circular plastic rods reinforcements in the area of attachment points on the sail interior uses.

5. Triple is better than one! Three parallel seams ensure a reinforcing strip in the leading edge.

ICARO WILDCAT TE M

1. Air-Intake-flaps on the bottom sail the Wildcat.

2. Trim Speed Optimizer in riser of the Wildcat TE. Using this Schraubschäkels can not just small Vertrimmungen compensated by aging, but also the trim to be aligned with the takeoff weight. In flight, the shackles by a neoprene "invisible."

3. Small Mylarein sets at the attachment points in the sail inside without Additional tension distribution.

4. The smart Icaro logo can be found even on protective roller in the acceleration system. Fine run behind solid metal rollers of Austrialpine.

INDEPENDENCE GERONIMO M

1 Independence also relies on soft plastic stick. Packing of Geronimo is far less critical than in the case of hard rods.

2. Large, easy-running wheels in the acceleration system of Geronimo.

3. Clean, parallel 4x seam inside the sail.

4. Unmistakable: The individual risers Geronimo marked for different descent techniques. This detail can be found on the way also Skyman Heartbeat, which is also produced by Sky Sports International in Sri Lanka.

MAC PARA EDEN 5 M

1. Automatic dust outlet at the new Eden: When creating ears opens the bag and dispose of sand and dirt.

2. Neatly stitched seam protection.

3. Sophisticated: Any strong sticks take turns in the leading edge of Eden 5 used. By the colored difference is no possible confusion, both types of the pilot rod in need can even change.

4. Meanwhile Standard: Brake Swivel against rotation of the brake line. The acceleration system come quality rolls of the company Harken are used.

SKYMAN HEARTBEAT 25

1. Plastic rods to change yourself! Not to damage the light cloth of the heartbeat, the plastic rods are even equipped with a rounded cap.

2. For specialists: 2-step system for starting preliminary acceleration in strong winds. The approval expires naturally, the use at your own risk and is recommended only for experienced pilots.

3. Soft Links: For weight reasons Markus Gründhammer waived the HeartBeat on metal carabiner.

4. Provided that the Skyman intermediates for para-mountaineers, including evidence the two snazzy plastic rod for shield fixation. Are when not in use they secure on the intermediate rib on critical launch sites and in the snow, they help to fix the screen.

SOL ELLUS 4 M

1. Even at the new Ellus 4 of the Brazilian producer SOL, the brakes are fixed with magnetic clip. The vortex from turning the brake line is not missing on the new Ellus 4!

2. Clean zigzag stitched edging in the leading edge area.

3. Rubber band or plastic carabiner clip in! This "controversy" is found throughout all production. Rubber ring can slip, plastic clips are like lost - both systems have their drawbacks. The solution? SOL uses both simple details and even its logo plastered on the plastic clip! The brake roller in the background is by their color a bit "toy-way" out, but it works perfectly.

TRIPLE SEVEN ROOK M

1. Even when Rook of Tripple Seven you can change the plastic sticks on hand in case of need.

2. The unsheathed, spliced and stitched main lines are protected by a green linen coats even more.

3. Sailing raff system: Even the Rook tightened when braking the rear edge. The brakes stop linen are unsheathed as all lines in the new high-level intermediates of Triple Seven.

4. Additional strain relief at the attachment points in the sail inside.

U-TURN BLACKLIGHT SM

1. Narrow straps, clean hardware used!

2. Suturing of the line attachment points, a la GinProduktion: Accustomed clean and equipped with more for forming relief.

3. Hammer! Only 6 unsleeved main lines each wing half Connect the risers to the canopy. Driven to the extreme minimalism to minimize resistance and improve performance.

4. Neatly stitched detail the BlackLight carrying strap: belay loop and neoprene accelerator role.

2 Construction, workmanship

2.1 Risers

When Tragegurtkonzeption appears up on the optic of Dudek (relatively wide webbing) the test field completely uniform: wide, chunky straps are out, narrow, slim belts symbolize apparent power! The differences are marginal, really out of line, only the Airdesign Rise. As with the Volt in the C-class designer Stephan Stiegler focuses on differentiation of different line sets the accelerator. This factor becomes apparent. Additional deflection between B-and C-level and split-level C and a "By runners" in this area On the smart ball on C riser to control or to control at higher speeds, as it decorates the Volt, was waived when Rise. Nevertheless, the rise-strap also acts not overly overloaded and is a pilot in that class just and reasonable.

From the series is also the riser of the Skyman heartbeat. The lightweight wing Markus Gründhammer omitted for reasons of weight on steel shackle, and instead uses a soft carabiner from linen material (soft link). Another special feature is the acceleration of the heartbeat system: To start with extreme wind still can, the screens can "pre-accelerating" in two stages. Here, the accelerator will be blocked in this position, a manual opening of the blocked accelerator is necessary. The system is of course only recommended for outstanding pilots in emergency situations at Hike & Fly-stakes, high-wind. It is used without approval and at your own risk.

2.2 Canopy

With 11 different natural wings are the most diverse basic shapes and curves are used. Comparing the stretching of the test candidates, so the values are from 5.29 to 5.8. On most are stretched Blacklight (5.8) and Rise (5.7), the outliers down the Ellus 4, but compensates by its slight curvature in the projected extension again. Compared with known, yet current performance cars in the B-Class, Nova Mentor, Ozone Rush 3 and Gin Sprint Evo (stretching from 5.37 to 5.5) in the stretching section has increased moderately. The current C-Klassc lies with stretching around or just over 6 well above the B-Class.

Without sticks, nothing more! Each test candidate has at least in the leading edge plastic sticks. Part is amplified in other places with plastic. We find so-called Gibus Arcs on a leash suspension of the B-level in Nevada. Rezek also differentiated by Peter Mac Para Eden is the new 5 is a plastic stick: In the nose profile, two different sizes (and colors) are used, depending on whether it is a primary or intermediate rib is. In addition, you can still "just" sticks in the back of the valves. The latter are also installed in the Rook and Black Light, where they reach the Blacklight a considerable length of just over one meter. So one has forced the question of how to construct such aggregates a shield correctly: "Is no problem," waving at you from U-Turn. "The rods are so soft that there are no special packing instructions!"

In connection with the apparently inevitable sticks but there are generally a positive development: From hard, kink-prone materials will increasingly switch to soft, kink-resistant material.

Regarding the inner workings of the test wings there are no particular abnormalities. Various diagonal ribs systems are also installed as diverse Querzugbänder. Only the Wildcat TE Icaro is a special feature. His "Airintake flaps" the inlets at the start or enlarge a maneuver, however, remain in the air inlet openings are small and thus aerodynanisch cleaner.

2.3 lines and line systems

Most builders of uniform in the high end B-Class on a hybrid 3-liner system: 3-trunk line levels lead to the cap, a D-level linen only by a few small top forks formed. Accordingly, the line reduction is also quite high in this class. The only exception in the test: The Wildcat TE Icaro is based on the Wildcat from 2010 and therefore still has a classic 4-line system. But even within the hybrid 3-liner, there are differences in the radicalism of the line savings: First and foremost the Nevada gradient which implies its the Aspen 4 her famous double diagonal system for line reduction just to 230 total line meters. Closely followed by Rook and Blacklight, with about 10 meters longer leash. At the A-riser of Blacklight and Nevada region also only 2 A-main lines per page.

Looking for even less resistance going U-turn and Triple Seven most that set even when the main lines on unummanteltes racing line material.

The difference in use of linen material should be in the shade selection were taken into account also. While a solid racing line types gives problems on meadow off areas in the northern Alps behaves, it can come on fast rocky launch sites in the Southern Alps to wear linen.

The lack of color coding of Rennbeleinung however disturbs an experienced EN B pilots less. When you sort the lines "fall" the unsheathed often much better than "sticking" linen coats.

2.4 Workmanship

When processing now all manufacturers have done their homework well. Gone are the days when there were massive differences in this area. In detail, there are of course still small differences and different approaches material costs. So we liked e.g. Once again, the clean linen stitching at AirDesign. Particularly we took exactly the processing of optic of Dudek under the microscope, as this manufacturer was new to our testivals. The Optic shone with some snazzy details (dirt-automatic) and a clean, robust processing. The gradient typical quality workmanship is our best known and "harm" obviously not the screen weight: At 5.3 kg, the Nevada one of the lightest in the test wing. Even the Wildcat TE is not overly difficult and can convince the processing. The latter, like Geronimo and heartbeat are also produced by Sky Sports International in Sri Lanka. Geronimo and Heartbeat obstruct particularly soft and lightweight linen, the heartbeat with his DIO cloth represents the tip of the currently feasible in terms of weight. In the amendment to a significantly sportier touch with the latest Mac Para-range and the details are refined. The Eden 5 pilot receives a light, finely processed aircraft. Simple, but clean is also processing the Ellus 4 of SOL, the only candidate uses an American cloth called WTX 40th There is nothing wrong with the Rook of Triple 7, which was made evident at Krilo in Croatia. Particular emphasis was placed on the line types gives clean stitching and splicing of continuous competition. There is nothing wrong with the Black Light by U-Turn, which is produced at Gin Gliders. Similar to the Rook here the processing of continuous Rennbeleinung is important. Through the years of great commitment of the Korean manufacturer in the competition you have naturally large experience with this Beieinungsart.

3 LAUNCH BEHAVIOR

In order to assess the rise of the individual wings, we have selected for this area particularly unpleasant test conditions: a flat place on the grid without any wind! Generally, it must be said that there are no wings in this Testival with really poor starting performance. Mostly all caps rose reliable and neutral. Small nuances were still detectable. While e.g. Rise of the slowly rising and especially directional stability, the Geronimo of Independence comes faster, but with less feedback. Particularly smoothly was seen in these conditions of Eden 5 of Mac Para. Some persuasion when climbing behavior at zero or tailwind requires the gradient Nevada, rises first rapidly, but at about 70 ° to snagging tends.

Not to be missed is the startup behavior of the Skyman Heartbeat, which differs quite markedly from the other candidates. The extremely light cap rises even upwind fast and easy and required even for these starting conditions the least power and the shortest takeoff distance. A behavior that makes especially difficult, mountaineering, missions a positive impact. Even with little wind can the cap "backwards" to keep above the pilot. The energy of the smooth "climber" must be stronger updrafts course metered "weggebremst" are what should constitute a trained pilots no problem. An experienced pilot receives the heartbeat an outstanding starter.

4 FLIGHT BEHAVIOR

The large differences in flight behavior starting as the general characteristics of the canopy hardness. Of soft (Heartbeat) to hard (Rise) where the scale. Somewhere in between are settling in the other candidates. How difficult it is for some paragliders, a statement automatic to a seemingly simple pattern such as "cap hardness", proves the Blacklight by U-Turn. He works hard as a board on the one hand like a typical three liner, but then loses nevertheless in turbulence and at times of tension begins to buckle. The classification was made as nevertheless "Medium-hard".

The Airdesign Rise recalls in flight very similar to its bigger brother in the C-Class, the Volt, we had just flown in Sportklassc Testival. Its main characteristic is a hard, stable canopy itself absorbs well in strong turbulence. With the slogan "carving the sky", the former Swiss manufacturer Advance used for one of his wings, you will meet the Rise. Tracks true, without any rolling tendency of the Rise plows through the air. Its rotational behavior is preferably flat, although he remains beautiful in the riser core and only sometimes shows very low approaches to lever movements. More inclined position is possible, but requires clearer grab, for the control pressure of the Rise rises fairly sharply. In this context, we have of course also tried the 'brake shifting ", the manufacturer recommends as the Tyrolean control technology for its screens. How does it work? Considering the brake in controlling not only vertical / straight down, but strong inside, the outer wing is reinforced by braking and the curve steeper. Conversely, a brake cable brakes increasingly outwards to the inner wing, which promises flat sinkoptimiertes turning. Theoretically, this may well agree everything in our experiments with the Rise but we could not detect any significant change in the rotational behavior. His good behavior in terms of active safety (superior cushioning) is also reflected in passive safety. Collapses remain completely unspectacular, the rotation angle is small and the opening softer.

The Polish manufacturer Dudek is best known for his paramotor range. Make long, however, the free-flight models, a good name, perfectly into the picture of filmmaker Jean-Baptiste Chandelier (secure our portfolio on page 14 of this issue). Dudek Optic with the EN B we had already undergone in THERMIK 10/2012 a single test ... Now he is also represented in this EN B Testival. The Optic is in flight amazingly athletic. With wings stretching 5.45 is directly and crisp on the brake. It flies exactly and agile, but still tends in thermals rotate preferably flat, performance-reducing ditch was like not so good at. The high dynamic range will appeal to freestyle oriented pilots. As a clear representative of the High Level B3-class and requires an experienced pilot, the cap is not the living nervous.

With the Gradient Nevada brings Ondrej Dupal the performance of the new Aspen 4 in the EN B class. The focus on the high level of the class is self Nevertheless you amazed at how easy and balanced to fly the new Nevada in any type of thermals can. Compared to Aspen 4 with EN C, the Nevada is much tamer and quieter. The cap is indeed characteristic gradient typically in rather soft region, the negative aspects of a soft cap design does not however come to light. Flying with the Nevada is light and playful. Exactly follows the impulses of the wing, but he is perfectly stable and is also in turmoil it away. Levers, pushing, digging ... all these negative attributes that may occur in thermal flight ... None with the Nevada! The new wing of gradient is nimble and agile, yet not uncomfortable dynamic.

Unaccelerated collapses open quickly and impulsively, depending on the size of the screen can advance something. Also provoked reliably open front stalls, a total of causing disturbances in Nevada shows a good picture, though quite high levels of B-class accordingly.

The Icaro Wildcat TE does not really honor his name. He flies in no way like a wild cat, but even more like a tame kitten. With the 4-Leincrkonzept the wing is soft on the brakes. The cozy flight behavior, coupled with good lift and enough feedback to make him a very good thermal sniffer. Through his soft, supple rotational behavior he clings so right in the updrafts and mediated largely a pleasant thermalling behavior. Only sometimes the cat is a little stubborn. Although it tends not to leistungsminderndem ditch, but can provide flat before, the pilot must then press down firmly on the rise around the Wildcat TE keep. However, the Wildcat was the TE screen with the highest upper weight range in our Testival what it should be. In our assessment, the Wildcat TE flies in size M best with 100-105 kg take off weight.

Independencc Geronimo is the brand new High Level Intermediate from the House Fly Market. When you have familiarized yourself with the right long control ways can the strengths of Geronimo erfliegen playful. Amazingly, the combination of soft cap damping characteristics and high turbulence. The former would be expected to be higher intervention in "heavy weather", apart from a few "learning quickly" in the outer wing, nothing happens. The solid center block of the wing inspires confidence. Through the pleasant low tax pressure can measure exactly the Geronimo fine upwards. The spongy, undifferentiated flight behavior that mediate the long brake travel beginning gives way to a soft-accurate feedback when you get used to the wing. Worth mentioning is the smooth accelerator, especially knowing the XC pilots appreciate on long full throttle sections.

Mac Para Eden 5th the team led by Peter Rezek has designed its latest range significantly sportier. Magus XC 2 (EN D) and Marvel (EN C) have become thoroughbred racing cars and put the tip of what is possible in their classes also of Eden 5 represents has been through this development, even if only in part. He is a handsome, athletic high level EN B-screen, which is quite fly yet manageable.

Behavioral control his power / control path is quite different from most other candidates. In the work area you fly the Eden 5 almost to the little finger. He obeys the smallest pulses that require little power use. He can be extremely sensitively piloting reports slightest air movement immediately to the pilot. While entering into the thermals he gently fall back and take the rise with instantly. Higher, exhausting gentler control movements of the wings in normal thermalling hardly needs. Outside of this kind of work area, there is a marked increase in control force. In the table with the flight characteristics we have noted this by two entries at the point "control forces". The tough and agile cap feels at home in all thermals, tends not for sliding and on because of their characteristic only to the smallest handle movements to thermal indication. Eventual-reducing performance is prevented by digging discreet control use in combination with weight-shift: The Eden 5 then turns flat and yet almost at stand!

The Skyman Heartbeat enthusiastic all test pilot with his handling. Whether in freestyle, thermals or XC use, ease of Skyman cap plays in the turn all the tracks! It flies very direct, extremely tight turns, is very precise and wonderfully dynamic. Although this behavior also results from a fairly low Rolldämp-examination, the heartbeat is despite very high dynamic tonal applications. Turbulence is also damped out very well. The quirrlige cap tends not to dynamic "outbursts", but when the energy by a certain amount of "life" to pay in itself. Amazing was also provoked the collapses, the open incredibly fast and spectacular again. Due to its vibrancy of Heartbeat nevertheless belongs clearly to the high level EN B region.

The SOL Ellus 4 is the screen with the lowest (projected) stretching in the test. Because of its small curvature and the great designs he is visually still sporty and homogeneous. In the air he shows balanced allround ability. Superb its damping properties around all axes in turmoil. These characteristics make of course also noticeable in normal flight. Everything seems more subdued and quiet. B3 of the candidates he differs from his pilot already to claim. In this category we can therefore safely enter B2, it is (f) in the middle of the class. The rotational behavior in thermals is preferably flat. Greater lean angles and thus closer curve radii are of course possible, but the Ellus then shows a tendency to flat spots. This flat rotation characteristics also point to his Brazilian homeland, the plains. When XC flying in the lowlands are the beards bigger and weaker and it is cranked preferably flat. Lateral collapses on the Ellus 4 reacts stoically unimpressed and holds a straight line. The canopy surface portions should therefore be opened dosed braking assisted.

The Triple Seven Rook is trimmed from the line geometry and material here to peak performance. And by its designers, the Slovenian Valic brothers, was to be expected, too. In the air, you are surprised first time. Apart from the implied "Sharknose" at the leading edge indicates the time being no evidence of a toxic time racers. The points in our great overview can initially suspect anything "sharp". It's a nice balance that characterizes the flight with the Rook. Updrafts are displayed accurately and, thanks to its high maneuverability and good handling in the amount awarded to implement. The effort required for control pulses lies in the middle. Even in the turmoil Rook looks balanced and absorbs unpleasant air currents off well. Only to large, simulated collapses the Rook then shows but its class membership. Quickly you realize but compared with other candidates also have excellent power potential.

The U-turn was ßlacklight like the Triple Seven Rook as the absolute high-end intermediates advertised. Intended as a kind of response to mentor and Co. and the performance-oriented XC flying. Only competition lines and extreme reduction line back up this claim. In moving air, one is confronted with the following characteristic: First, the cap on the risers and the brakes looks bone dry hard, but it begins to lively air to soften and then still have time to work in it. The brake work away is short, very direct and accurate. His entitlement to the Blacklight also shows when thermalling: He turns tend flat and shows no inclination to reduce the performance gap. Even if the external brake is released in narrow and winding up of the wings, seems more inclined position, he has hardly increased sink rate. It can be centered fairly effortless. Pilot to claim and performance are likely to be quite similar to the Rook: High performance, pleasant flight behavior, assigned at the High Level quite collapses EN B class.

5 DESCENT TECHNIQUES

5.1 Ears

In 10 test candidates can be found at Big ears of course the full range of force required for initiation, Folding depth and type of opening. To unpleasant or even dangerous hitting tendency none of the test candidates. Only the Airdesign Rise starts easily with the ears "wiggle" when trying the relatively small Folding depth to increase force. But this is completely irrelevant with regard to the safety and brings not the expected effect.

In contrast, there are also three "highly efficient" - in terms Folding depth - in this test: the gradient of Nevada, the Triple Seven Rook and the U-Turn Black Light. Almost scary how much area as flips! In both screens this maneuver is of course the first choice for a rapid descent: Supports one creating the ears still with simultaneous acceleration, which is properly on. Both forward and downward. The other candidates are on the efficiency forth in good middle. As for the Recovery, so generally a little patience or by using measured brake application is required. Geronimo and Ellus 4 require the most support, but are easiest curves by means weight shift flying in the folded ears.

5.2 B-Stall

The B-stall is still a controversial maneuver. The material is stressed to be strongly, the effort is sometimes high, the efficiency is low ... and sometimes it's not even a very harmless maneuvers. We have won in all test candidates B Stalls carried leads, in the overview table, we use a line for the distinction between easy, medium and difficult. This refers to the overall impression of the maneuver. With a tendency to most difficult of the high effort is meant (often in combination with low efficiency).

Must necessarily be mentioned the B-level with the gradient Nevada. We do not recommend the maneuver with this wing: The Nevada moves despite brisk releasing the B-risers at very slow, which may lead to wrong reactions in dangerous situations. Worth mentioning is the B-stall the Eden 5 of Mac Para. The classification was an "easy-medium" because the wing is relatively easy to pull into the B-stall. However, the new Eden tilts far in initiating backwards and shoots well before exiting. This is not an experienced pilot-Security, a newcomer to this maneuver, however, can frighten.

5.3 Spiral Dive

Especially in the intermediate class, we laid in a spiral dive special attention to dangerous "independent accelerating" and "stable further rotation." Repeatedly pass heavy, sometimes fatal accidents. Fortunately, we saw no "stable further rotation" and certainly no "independent accelerating".

Some test candidates can indeed ask for a little bit and turn sometimes even a little, but all still show an independent recovery moment. Nevertheless, through other seating positions or harnesses this behavior can sometimes be different. An active and manageable Recovery that should be learned in the context of a safety training is highly recommended!

6. SUMMARY

A Testival with 10 screens to organize meant a lot of work for our test pilots. Part of the umbrellas were already represented in individual tests, the majority of the flights could be completed in October in southern Spain. Unfortunately, there the weather was not always good, so that we in Italy (Meduno) "rework" yet had.

10 different shades represent a very wide range of different characteristics and suitability.

Summary:

The Rise Airdesign generally showed a very similar flying characteristics - it falls on the Intermediateklasse - like its bigger brother Volt, we were allowed to fly recently in Sportklassetestival. His stand out the strengths are its superior attenuation and his stoicism that make him also in turmoil. "Carving the sky"! Flat and determined he plows forward to its destination. Its rotational behavior is preferably flat, wherein it is the possibility to rotate quite narrow. Who in thermals and XC missions looking for a superior quiet, safe screen flying gold with the Rise. For handling oriented freestylers who want to turn in place, provides the Rise too little liveliness. Although he, what affects its performance potential, with very high levels in the EN B class flies, we have classified it because of its high safety reserves as B2, ie in the middle of the class.

The Dudek Optic is an interesting intermediate for pilots who are looking for a fast-paced, dynamic flying machine, a lot of fun. Freestyle fans will be as enthusiastic as handling love XC pilot. However, the optic is the most demanding test of all candidates in the pilot skill. The Polish manufacturer proves in any case that he understands much of motorless paraglider wing and brings with this interesting new impulses to the scene.

The Gradient Nevada was called again and again, if you asked our test pilots for their favorite shade this testivals. His outstanding thermal flight behavior holds exactly the right mix ready for long XC flights. And for this clientele of Nevada was built with its extreme line concept also in for uncompromising XC use the B-Class. As a small blemish in this context may be a little less top speed apply (50 km / h)!

The Icaro Wildcat TE has the only four lines in the test field on a rather conservative line concept. He works in the thermals on the brakes a little softer and smoother than some three liner, but the tendency sometimes to wheel flats. A classic all-rounder, especially in thermals on mountain reveals its strengths.

Independence Geronimo is a new and interesting high-level representatives in the B-Class. Just by his soft cloth Domenico D20 he acts differently. The soft, yet well damped cap like to become accustomed to the long brake travel. Tireless fly at the local mountain range and on the are characterized Geronimo. In part due to its easy Eiklappeigenschaften the wing was classified as B2.

With the Mac Para Eden 5 presents the manufacturers a completely new concept in Intermediateklasse. Delicate, smooth and agile ... especially with these properties inspired us, the new wing of MacPara. We see him similar to the Gradient of Nevada. A wing that is fun and yet knows how to inspire on long-haul flights.

The Skyman Heartbeat Markus Gründhammer was one of the pleasant surprises this testivals. With the lightweight concept that inter alia on the 10-D light cloth of Domenico and based his cheerful, hip freestyle occur, the Heartbeat presented refreshingly different. However, the lightweight fabric also has its disadvantages at meachanischen loads (rocky launch sites, etc.). In addition to the outstanding handling should get in the power of the heartbeat. Accordingly, wide is the target group: freestyle friends with thermals ambitions bivouac XC pilots with benefit claims, experienced Thermic mountain flying in search of the ulrakom-compact pack size for Hike & Fly in between, para-mountaineers who also need power ... all the features of the heartbeat!

The SOL Ellus 4 is a typical SOL screen. Safe and manageable flying characteristics despite sleek outline. An intermediate in the middle of his class with a high security without being boring. Thus B2.

The Triple Seven Rook is built on uncompromising performance intermediates, with the Valic brothers want to enter successfully into the XC scene. There remains no doubt that it will succeed. Because the Rook flies pleasantly despite its claims and is thus easily over long distances for the nerves of his pilots do not overextend. If you can live with the unique design, receives a powerful long-distance riders!

The U-Turn BlackLight is also geared to peak performance. Significant reduction line and thin racing line material to support this requirement. In the fairway of the successful Passion (EN C) the team at Ernst Strobl and Thomas Vosseler obviously for 2013 Mentor & Co. targeted. The target group for the Black Light is certainly clear: experienced XC pilots who want to generate maximum power in the EN B class.

TEST PILOTS COMMENTS

Bernhard Plasser: The B-Class is thankfully a lot of choice - the models differed significantly from each other. For me it is questionable whether it is really necessary, because of 1 or 2 tenths of use even in this class twist thin line material. My favorites are Nevada, Eden 5, Rook and Optic, the Optic is the most demanding screen.

Norbert Aprissnig: That was an interesting Testival with many paragliders and many different characteristics. My personal favorites are the Nevada and the Eden 5, which promises easy handling course for long XC flights.

Franz Altmann: I am thrilled by Eden 5, although it is almost too small for me. You can see clearly that the manufacturer does not have the intermediate up completely, the result is an honest, round Fun and XC shield, which is also relatively easy. Great!

Hans Poscher: It all character types are available. You can clearly see the different philosophies of the manufacturers.

Mario Hinterreiter: I find interesting, what technologies can be found in the B-Class now: Shark-Nose, extreme line reduction, pre-accelerator, etc ...

Christian Koranda: I think it is good the wide range - from Hike & Fly device using pure XC models to wing Fun-everything is represented.

Hannes Patzelt: Among the tested wings convinced me of exactly controllable Eden 5, the balanced Nevada and the fun Heartbeat.