BGD LUNA 3

Technical data

Size	18	20	23	26	29
PPG WEIGHT RANGE (KG)	70-120	80-130	90-140	105-160	130-200
PROJECTED AREA (M²)	15.6	17.3	19.9	22.5	25.1
FLAT AREA (M²)	18	20	23	26	29
GLIDER WEIGHT (KG)	4.5	4.8	5.3	5.7	6.1
HEIGHT (M)	6.2	6.5	7	7.4	7.9
NUMBER OF MAIN LINES (A/B/C)	3/4/3/2
CELLS	57
FLAT ASPECT RATIO	5.6
ROOT CHORD (M)	2.2	2.4	2.5	2.7	2.8
FLAT SPAN (M)	10	10.6	11.3	12.1	12.7
PROJECTED SPAN (M)	8.2	8.6	9.2	9.8	10.4
MIN SPEED (KM/H)	24 - 29	23 - 29	23 - 28	23 - 28	23 - 28
TRIM SPEED (KM/H)	38 - 46	38 - 46	36 - 44	36 - 44	36 - 44
SPEED TRIMMERS OPEN (KM/H)	53 - 65	50 - 64	50 - 62	50 - 62	50 - 62
TOP SPEED (KM/H)	64 - 79	61 - 78	60 - 75	61 - 75	61 - 75
MAX POWER (KW / HP)	27 / 36
REGISTRATION DGAC / (EN/LTF)	Pending

The Speed measurements are at the minimum and maximum permitted weights

Colours

Standard colours: EARTH, JUPITER, PLUTO.

Package

• Paraglider
• Compression strap
• Riser bag
• Stuff sack
• Rucksack
• Repair cloth
• Manual card
• BGD stickers
• BGD giveaway

Optional extras (Related Products)

• Paragliding Backpacks
• Concertina Packing Bags
• Fast Packing Bags
• Clothing

Luna 3: WHEN THE STARS ALIGN

The LUNA 3 is a complete redesign from first principles, and BGD has been growing, evolving and perfecting it for years. The easy launch, stable flight characteristics and good slow-speed ability make for stress-free flying on any voyage. The aerodynamic performance means good fuel economy – great for comps and XCs, and your pocket as you’ll get more kilometres from a tank of juice.

The new paramotor risers were a major project in themselves. They are adaptable. The LUNA 3 is delivered with the brakes and tip-steering on separate handles: an easier configuration for intermediate pilots. You can steer using the TST when on the bar with no risk of accidentally applying any brake. Experienced pilots can attach the tip-steering lines to the extra loop on the brake handle to convert to 2D steering. It allows precise manoeuvring with one set of handles.

Watch the warp speed! With full speed bar and full trimmers, the LUNA 3 18 at top of weight range will hit a top speed of 79km/h and the 23 will go to 75km/h.

Target

Confirmed aerial motor-heads – are you ready for another dimension? The LUNA 3 is fast and efficient with so-sweet handling, and it’s up for everything! Landscape explorations, A-to-B commuting or classic comps if that’s your thing. Plus, you’ll be the most cosmic-looking craft in the sky!

Designer's notes

The new paramotor risers are the result of a year-long development, requiring extensive efforts from the whole team. 19cm travel on the trimmers and 21cm travel on the speed bar give a very wide speed range and a fast top speed. Most pilots will use either trimmers or speed bar, but experienced XC pilots can use both together to unleash the incredible full speed potential of the LUNA 3.

The tip steering system allows for simple and efficient directional control without using the brakes when flying accelerated or for long XC flights. For more advanced pilots there is a loop on the brake handle to attach the TST lines to convert to 2D steering. This allows more precise control of the wing, is excellent for freestyle, but is an advanced technique so we made it optional.

We also redesigned the brake handles. A two-finger loop allows your fingers to retain the handles so you can freely use the throttle. It is a game-changer during pre-flight preparation. The handle will safely stay at the back of your hand while you start the engine, sort out the lines, adjust trimmers and go full throttle. The risk of the handle going through the propeller is drastically reduced.

- Bruce, R&D, designer

Other's notes

I think the LUNA 3 will remain as a milestone in my career as a PPG wing designer. The first few prototypes flew fine, but Pasquale and the rest of the team kept asking for more speed, more efficiency, keeping the fun and safety of the existing designs. I had to take a step back and take on the challenge of simulating gliders at full speed, with trimmers + accelerator ranges of more than 40cm. After three months working on my code I finally cracked ‘the full speed problem’. The next prototype was from another dimension: 70kmh+ top speed, high efficiency, and great stability. Pasquale’s extensive work on the brakes then gave it outstanding handling and flare authority, and the Luna3 was born.

- Tom, R&D

Working on the development of LUNA 3 was exciting, every time a prototype arrived to test it was a surprise of innovation and new design ideas, so prototype after prototype and changes after changes a wing was obtained that met all the requirements without compromise. BGD's philosophy is to try new paths and experiment with new solutions. It is certainly more challenging but ultimately very satisfying.

- Pasquale, paramotor test pilot

Features

ALULA Simulation Software

The future of glider design depends largely on simulations. Instead of designing and producing prototypes one by one, their unique in-house structural / aero simulation program, ALULA, enables us to accurately simulate hundreds of virtual prototypes. BGD test over 200 virtual prototypes for each paraglider, using 50 million iterations of the structural / aero calculations.

Tip Steering Toggles (TST)

The tip steering toggles allow for simple and efficient directional control without using the brakes when flying accelerated. The tip-steering and brake handles are separate, but there is an attachment loop on the brake handle to attach the tip-steering lines to, converting them for 2D steering. This allows more precise control of the wing, but is an advanced technique so BGD has made it optional.

Elliptical arc

A high and elliptical arc gives the wing good handling, and makes it more stable under power.

Strong Shark Nose

An ultra aggressive shark nose optimises stability at all speeds. Not all sharks are created equal and BGD’s shark noses are very aggressive, maximising the effects of the technology.

Fast Reflex Profile

A new generation fast reflex profile has been designed into the Luna 3 improving recovery from deflation while maintaining stability even at high speeds.

Replaceable brake pulleys

With a simple around-and-through, you can easily replace those squeaky old brake pulleys or switch them for rings.

Luna 3 Speed Risers

The LUNA 3 risers have a whopping 40cm of travel with 19cm on the trimmers and 21cm travel on the speed bar which means a very wide speed range and a ultra fast top speed. There is also a tip-steering handle, or the TST line that can be attached to the brake handle for 2D steering (experts).

Hybrid handle w/2D

The brake handles have a two-finger rubber loop reducing the risk of loosing the handle and allowing the pilot to focus on what's important. The brake handles also have an attachment point for the TST (tip-steering) lines, essentially converting into 2D steering system. With 2D steering, the brakes and tip-steering are both controlled by one handle.

135mm Speed Bar Travel

BGD have found 135mm to be the perfect amount of speed bar for their intermediate wings. This allows us to achieve maximum speed range while keeping well within the stability limits.

High or low hangpoint ready

In order to maximise versatility this wing caters to both low and high hangpoint paramotors. Brake pulley loops, tip-steering pulleys and snap locks are fitted for both positions, making the switch quick and easy. 

Progressive stability

Progressive stability has been designed into all BGD gliders to help pilots feel turbulence and avoid it. This makes for safer and more comfortable flying.

Chord cut billow (CCB)

Chord Cut Billow technology has been developed to improve the form friction, glider stability and overall performance of BGD paragliders. Two seams run chord-wise across the top panels of the leading edge to accommodate the panel ballooning that happens when the wing is inflated. Up to five centimetres of excess material is created on the sides of an inflated flat panel bending over a wing profile. Chord Cut Billow technology absorbs the material with a 3D panel resulting in fewer ripples and improved rib profile shape and stability.

Snap Locks

Snap Locks are lightweight, compact attachments that connect the brakes to the risers. A small focused magnet inside the catch and an internal locking system hold the handle in place, releasing only if the handles are pulled down towards the pilot. This unique design feature means the handles don’t fall off while kiting, packing, or performing manoeuvres. The Snap Lock system solves many of the problems associated with press studs and magnets.

70km/h + top speed

The LUNA 3 has a very high top speed. Using full bar + trimmers together (expert pilots) the 18 reaches a maximum of 79km/h.

Materials

TOP SURFACE	Porcher Skytex 38g/m²
NOSE REINFORCING	Perlon / F.line
LOWER LINES	Edelrid Magix Pro Dry 8001U and PPSL
BOTTOM SURFACE	Porcher Eazyfly
INTERNAL STRUCTURE	Porcher Skytex Hard 40g/m²
RISERS	12mm black Kevlar/nylon webbing
PULLEYS	Harken and Sprenger
TOP LINES	Edelrid Magix Pro Dry 8001U
MIDDLE LINES	Edelrid Magix Pro Dry 8001U
BRAKES	Liros DSL

Risers

Downloads

See BGD downloads.