Advance ALPHA 6 (PAST MODEL)

Technical data - free-flight

Technical data - motor

ALPHA 6 with Hybrid Risers.

The weight of the wing can vary by up to 100g due to unavoidable manufactured fluctuations in the density of such light fabric.

Colours

Spectra, Royal, Fire, Acid, Sangria

Options

• Risers: Standard (free-flight) or Hybrid (paramotor+free-flight)
• Rucksack: Size 100L, 115L, 130L or 145L

For maximum compactness, Advance supply the following backpack sizes as standard:

Optionally, the backpack size can be freely selected.

Optional extras

• Speed system*

*Advance now only supply a speed system with their harnesses (with some exceptions) and not their wings.

ALPHA 6: come fly with me

Easy: lift off with ease

The ALPHA 6 benefits from a newly conceived lining design, with fewer support points and lines. This simple array is easy to see and quick to sort. The ALPHA 6 is straightforward to take-off and fly. Weight is minimal, achieved by a sophisticated internal structure and state-of-the-art construction materials.

Sage: flying safely

Innovative design technology gives the ALPHA 6 plenty of safety reserves. High internal wing pressure is maintained by the combination of an “Air Scoop” leading edge and the traditional ADVANCE semi-circular air intakes. This feature ­gives the ALPHA 6 a very low stall point and unmistakably clear and progressive brake loading. The pilot gains a significant safety plus from these handling advances.

Long-lasting: sustainable fun

The ALPHA 6 was not just designed for learning; it is especially suitable for what comes after. It’s intended for pilots who appreciate a lot of safety when combined with notable performance. Through its modern design technology – including “3D-Shaping” at the leading edge and an intricate diagonal rib concept - it demonstrates a very respectable performance level among A-Class wings.

Technology & features

Reduced line setup

Only three line levels and two gallery floors. Simpler and easier to see makes short work of line sorting. The completely revised ALPHA6 line concept results in 20% fewer line meters and 35 % fewer line items. It is hardly necessary to point out that this considerable reduction in total line length clearly improves glide performance at trim speed and especially when accelerated.

Safer with a deeper airflow breakaway point

Modern “Air Scoop Technology’ at the leading edge now applies to the ALPHA 6. Combined with the typical ADVANCE semi-circular intakes this feature results in a significantly lower separation point with clearly progressive brake loading. Brake travel is 15 % longer than the ALPHA 5 value, so passive safety is enhanced.

"Easy Connect" for safer hook in

The ALPHA 6 risers have a new "Easy Connect System", which helps the pilot hook in correctly by using a coloured marking system. This reduces the probability of the nervous beginner connecting a twisted riser or attaching the risers to the wrong carabiners. For maximum compatibility among ADVANCE products, the same coloured markings will also apply, in future, to all ADVANCE harness suspension points. 

Big Ear system with "Quick Snap"

Big ears made easy. The ALPHA 6 outer A-line has its own easily reachable riser, making it easy to pull effective big ears. Taking off with both A-risers in hand is also simplified by the “Quick-Snap” magnet system which holds them together on the ground. Line sorting remains childs play. After pulling up the risers separate and take up their flying position.

Improved brakes

1. Ceramic rings for silent and frictionless line guidance
2. Swivel connections prevent brake line twisting.
3. Plastic covered magnets for secure stowage
4. Brake handle size varies in accordance with wing size

Materials

ALPHA 6 motor - paramotoring

Due to its excellent take-off qualities, high stability, damped behaviour and compactness the ALPHA 6 is also ideally suited to paramotoring. Hybrid Risers, which can also be used for flight without the motor, are recommended.

Hybrid Risers (for paramotoring & free-flight)

The Hybrid Risers are fitted with two different hang points so that the best match of harness and motor system can be achieved without having to change the brake line length.

They are are also fitted with trimmers. These can be used for both counteracting the turning effect of the motor and adjusting the flying speed. For flight without a motor, the trimmers must be disabled by hooking them into the main carabiners. The wing then keeps, its paraglider certification.

They also have a speed system, designed for use when flying without the motor.

Certification

Provided that it is equipped with the appropriate Hybrid Risers, the ALPHA 6 has EN / LTF certification as a paraglider. Sizes 24 to 31 have DGAC certification for motor flying. Relevant certified weight ranges are shown in the technical data motor table.

FAQs

Why is the ALPHA 6 such a good beginner wing?
The ALPHA 6 demonstrates a high level of safety and very easy handling. This becomes evident even before take-off. The new “Easy Connect System” helps the pilot clip into the risers safely and conveniently, for example.
In-flight the ALPHA 6 has a marked desire to return to steady flight. This means that a novice pilot’s incorrect or overenthusiastic control demands only create modest energy changes, and the wing quickly returns to its original flying condition.
The ALPHA 6 is considerably lighter than the previous Alpha. In addition, stall characteristics have been further improved. The stall point is much lower, and can only be reached through markedly raised brake line loading.

What makes the ALPHA 6 so easy to take-off?
The ALPHA 6 take-off is even easier than the Alpha 5 because it is lighter: a completely new line design and intricate diagonal rib construction inside the wing save many metres of line, and both these features reduce ALPHA 6 weight. Takeoff preparation and the take-off itself both become simpler. The lines are quickly sorted, and the lighter canopy easily rises and remains above the pilot, without overshooting.

How is the ALPHA 6 different from a basic beginner wing?
The inside of the ALPHA 6 wing partly consists of “Sliced Diagonals”. This elaborate technology, usually found in high classification paragliders, saves a lot of line by a more efficient sharing of canopy loads. Once again this contributes to noticeable A class performance improvement. In addition, the ALPHA 6 benefits from “3D-Shaping”. This achieves a very smooth profile surface in the critical nose area, improving airflow and performance. These qualities, plus an expanded weight range, clearly set the ALPHA 6 apart from a typical beginner glider.

Can I continue to fly my ALPHA 6 after my basic training?
Definitely: it was designed with this specifically in mind. The ALPHA 6 has high passive safety. This means that it looks after itself and quickly returns to normal flight if the canopy is disturbed. Even in thermals the wing flies in a very stable manner and transmits a sense of calm and reassurance to its pilot.
In addition to this, the ALPHA 6 is easy to fly and provides a real step up in glide performance as a result of its new line concept, and other refinements (see previous questions). The ALPHA 6 is one of the fastest A class paragliders and can provide a lot of great flying and valuable experience long after school is over.

How can the ALPHA 6 be so robust despite its lighter weight?
New computer technology enables the stresses in the structure to be accurately simulated. The ideal construction material can therefore, be specifically chosen for each part. The ALPHA 6 inner life could therefore, be made very light but also strong. The “Smart Sail System” at the leading edge also contributes to strength and long life. Here the Ripstop fabric is exactly aligned with local tension to prevent fabric distortion.

What is completely new in the ALPHA 6?
The ALPHA 6 has a new line concept and only three riser levels. It also has fewer suspension points than the last Alpha. These save materials and weight.
“3D-Shaping” to counter Ballooning Effect at the leading edge, and diagonals inside the wing both contribute to the ALPHA 6 clean and smooth upper surface: all these factors improve performance.
“Air Scoop” technology at the leading edge together with the familiar ADVANCE semi-circular cell openings provide higher internal pressure, which also means that a high angle of attack can be sustained for longer. These result in a distinctly lower stall point, associated with a clear and progressively increasing brake load. This contributes to ALPHA 6 safety.

How could I use the extended weight range?
When developing the ALPHA 6 Advance kept the new generation of budding acro pilots in mind: so the extended upper weight limit of the EN/LTF-A classification for 22, 24, 26, 28 and 31 sizes lies around 15 kg above the recommended weight ranges. ALPHA 6 pilots can choose whether they prefer a glider with the best climbing performance of the normal weight range, or the handling of a higher wing loading. In an extended weight range the ALPHA 6 has a higher trim speed, and a more dynamic and agile flying characteristic. The ALPHA 6 keeps its EN/LTF-A certification in the extended weight range – a testament to its innate passive safety.

Does the ALPHA 6 have Paramotor certification?
The ALPHA 6 has paramotor certification (LTF 23 05) in 24, 26, 28 and 31 sizes. Technical data and information about the use, flight behaviour and approvals can be found in the supplement to the ALPHA 6 manual. There are special Hybrid Risers for paramotoring. Find out more

What makes ADVANCE products special among other paragliders?
From ALPHA to OMEGA a basic principle applies to all ADVANCE paragliders: when developing new products Advance always incorporate tried and trusted details acquired over Advance's 25-year experience, along with the useful innovations. Advance's trademark winglets, for example. Even on the ALPHA 6 these are still reducing induced drag (vortex-effect) and improving directional stability. Or there’s the “Ring-Raff-System”: when turning is called for the ALPHA 6 wingtip is braked first, where the most effective yawing moment takes effect. This makes steering harmonised and precise, and handling more direct.
Together with Advance's high demands on quality and passion for detail (for example the ALPHA 6 brake system featuring low friction rings for the lines, plastic-coated magnets and swivels for the handles), this principle creates fully-finished State-of-the-Art products.

Downloads

• User manual ALPHA 6
• Line plan ALPHA 6
• Getting Started ALPHA 6
• Product presentation ALPHA 6
• Motor supplement

EN/LTF test reports (free-flight)

• ALPHA 6 22 ALPHA 6/22 EN/LTF Flight Test Reports
• ALPHA 6 24 ALPHA 6/24 EN/LTF Flight Test Reports
• ALPHA 6 26 ALPHA 6/26 EN/LTF Flight Test Reports
• ALPHA 6 28 ALPHA 6/28 EN/LTF Flight Test Reports
• ALPHA 6 31 ALPHA 6/31 EN/LTF Flight Test Reports

DGAC test reports (motor)

• DGAC Flight Test Reports ALPHA 6/24
• DGAC Flight Test Reports ALPHA 6/26
• DGAC Flight Test Reports ALPHA 6/28
• DGAC Flight Test Reports ALPHA 6/31

ALPHA 6 reviews

"The Alpha 6... will delight beginners, but it will also appeal to pilots who understand that the term “school glider” is no longer applicable."

- Cedric Nieddu, Parapente Mag

"In the air, the Alpha 6 is surprisingly agile and nice to fly for such a safe and solid feeling wing... "

- Carlo Borsattino, Flybubble

"Takeoff, handling, collapse behaviour, stability, performance and workmanship are faultless."

- Franz Meyer, Flugschule Diemtigtal

Read Flybubble's review of the ALPHA 6 and then watch Advance's accompanying review video:

Also read customer reviews of the Advance ALPHA 6.