Advance PI (PAST MODEL)

Technical data

* The weight of each size can vary up to 100 g as a function of the fabric manufacture process.

** Within the stated weight ranges, depending on take-off weight (pilot, harness and wing)

*** Pilot, wing, equipment

Supplementary technical details

Colours

ADVANCE normally deliver the PI in the Palm-Aubergine-White colour scheme.

An alternative (Orange-Aubergine-White) is only produced to order.

Optional Extras

• Advance PI Speed Risers*

*The PI is certified without an accelerator system as standard. It can be fitted with optional accelerating risers (PI Speed Risers, with speed system and trimmers) however it should be noted that when the original risers are exchanged for these the certification will be invalid. These accelerators add speeds of 12 km/h with the speed bar or 8 km/h with the trimmers (maximum acceleration: 12 km/h).

PI: as nice to carry as fly

With the new PI the fun starts on the way up. As one of the world's lightest gliders the PI, together with rucksack and harness, can come to as little as 3.14 kg to carry. Tailor-made for pilots who want light-as-possible, good-performing kit for hiking or mountain tours, the multi-talented PI covers it all - from "Hike & Fly Pleasure" all the way up to "Mountain Intense".

PI's perfect partner: Advance EASINESS light reversible harness-rucksack.

PI - More about...

"Hike & Fly Pleasure" region

Stroll up a mountain with some friends for an evening flight, soar at sundown and glide down to the valley as the light fades. Or take-off from a remote peak for some extended thermaling. This is what you can do in the PI's lower weight range. Good climbing qualities and notable performance makes this possible.

"Mountain Intense" area

The climb up has already been a genuine challenge. Minimal equipment weight and maximum fun on the way down is the name of the game here. In its upper weight range the small area PI means dynamic flying fun and comfortable agile handling. Alpine soaring and thermaling in spectacular scenery completes this kind of touring experience.

PI Package (PI + harness) from 3.14 kg

The PI reveals its full potential as part of the right package. The new ADVANCE EASINESS light reversible harness suits the PI perfectly, and gives you the best weight/comfort compromise for Hike & Fly Pleasure. On the other hand the Mountain Intense option can be put together with minimal equipment consisting of a PIPACK, Soft Links and an Everest harness - weighing in from only 3.14 kg.

Furthermore: reserve ~ 1.3 kg (incl. front container) / Plus EASINESS Protector 270 g

PI FAQs

A selection of frequently asked questions about the PI 

What does the PI require of its pilot?

The PI's certified weight range means that it can operate at very different wing loadings - this makes a variety of demands on the pilot. Generally the pilot should watch out for a high descent rate, particularly in the turn. It is important to make a good landing plan, and to choose a long and pendulum-free final approach. When flying in quiet conditions PI handling is relatively straightforward; normally any licensed pilot will manage the wing's demands when the weather is calm. Higher speed means that the PI transmits an impressive degree of feedback and feel to the pilot in thermals; turbulence is felt much more strongly. 

The pilot must be able to conform to the following minimum requirements in order to fly the PI at high wing loading:

• Competent pilot
• Good to very good in thermals
• Can fly a spiral dive of more than 14m/s in difficult conditions, including the clean entry and exit without excessive pitching or swinging. 

What are the advantages of the optional Speed Risers?

The optional PI "Speed Risers" have two speed systems; trimmers and speed bar. The trimmers are particularly useful on a mountain tour if you take off with crampons on your feet, so cannot use the speed bar. They can be opened to compensate for strong headwind, but should normally be closed in flight.

Take note that an accelerated wing reacts more aggressively to disturbances of the air. If you fit the PI with the optional speed risers its certification becomes invalid. 

How does the PI rank in the new generation of light gliders?

The PI is extremely light, can be flown at relatively high wing loading, and has precise and dynamic handling. As a "pure" paraglider it is not based on a speed glider profile and has notable gliding performance even at high loadings. Soaring and thermal flying are a joy with the PI. Elsewhere mini wings have uncomplicated handling and moderate flying qualities, hybrid-wings sparkle with dynamic handling and speed glider means dynamic speed. The PI (due to its profile characteristics, light weight and small wing area) has all these strengths and is the perfect wing for Hike & Flyers, walkers and serious alpinists. 

What makes up a 3.14 kg Pi Package?

Take an ADVANCE PI, the ADVANCE PIPACK and a commercial ultra-light harness with two quick links as carabiners. Together these make up the 3.14 kg, hence the name. The light weight of the wing results from various factors: along with some design features (fewer and wider cells, no diagonal ribs and a special line configuration) the PI is almost completely made of 27 gm/m2 cloth. This means that the glider should be looked after carefully.  Handle with care!

How do I calculate my PI take-off weight?

Basically in the same way as for any paraglider. But note that the equipment weight (glider, harness, helmet etc.) that you would add to your own weight is not the normal 15 to 20 kg, it's more like 7 to 10 kg. So your glider size adjusts considerably: a PI 19 covers pilot weights of 45 to 85 kg, the PI 23 from 55 up to 105 kg. 

Isn't the PI an ALPHA 4 HIKE successor?

Unlike the ALPHA 4 HIKE the PI is not based on the ALPHA 5 - it's a completely new development. 

The PI 23 might be thought of as an ALPHA 4 HIKE 23 follow up in that it addresses a similar customer group, but at 2.8 kg it's more than a kilo lighter and is even more fun to fly. 

But the 19 PI rounds off our range of products as the "small wing" representative, for the first time, so adds a new dimension. Both PI sizes are among the lightest of serial wings on the market in their class. 

What does the PI inherit from Chrigel Maurer's X-ALPS victories?

For Chrigel Maurer and Thomas Theurillat each X-Alps meant a project needing a whole year's preparation. So while training they had a lot of time to think about new and helpful products, and to test them as well. Chrigel and Thomas took the first PI prototypes with them on countless training walk-ups as means of getting down. During the races supporter Thomas benefited a lot from the PI philosophy - after keeping Chrigel company he had an extremely light and efficient way of collecting the team bus. On Chrigel's side important aspects of materials and construction technology found their way from his X-Alps OMEGA prototypes into the PI. 

How is the PI different from other manufacturers' models?

• Dedicated new development, not based on an existing beginner's glider
• Two sizes cover a range of use from Mountain Intense to Hike&Fly Pleasure
• No diagonals, only two risers
• Covered base lines for protection and easy sorting
• Agile handling and higher aspect ratio mean higher fun factor
• Perfect trim means no parachutal stall worries 

How is it that the PI light construction is strong enough?

Every PI cell is supported, so the load carried by the cells is shared; each cell therefore carries minimal load. This is why lighter fabric is used. On the other hand 40 gm fabric appears along the centre of the leading edge, and this contributes to long PI life.  Because of the light construction the PI is not suitable for acro flying. ADVANCE strongly advise against flying acro manoeuvres with the PI. 

Can I do big ears with the PI?

Big ears are not possible with the PI 19; the A and B lines are connected. This was done for simplicity and to reduce the number of lines for weight. Turns, wingovers and spiral dives lose height well enough with the PI. In any case big ears are difficult to do with such a small wing, and do not feel comfortable for the pilot. The PI 23, however, has an extra A base line which does make big ears possible.

Materials

Certification

The PI has EN and LTF certification in un-accelerated flight.

More about the certification
Certification ratings are only able to provide limited information on a paraglider's flying behaviour in thermally active and turbulent air. The certification is based primarily on provoked extreme flight manoeuvres in non-turbulent air. During the development of an ADVANCE paraglider, the emphasis is first and foremost on flying behaviour and handling and not exclusively on the certification test. The result is a balanced product with the familiar ADVANCE handling. Nevertheless, certification rating occupies a significant proportion of the specifications that must be fulfilled.

Reviews

My first flight on the Advance Pi was on a grey day with looming, threatening clouds, many of which were dropping rain or snow. No matter: the light weight of the complete kit made walking to take-off a whole lot easier than normal.

There has been an explosion of usable lightweight wings in recent years, and the Advance Pi is one of the latest. Weighing in at 3.14 kg (hence the name) our reviewer took one out to play on a few sunny winter days in the south of France.

Forget hike-and-fly, this if fly-and-hike!" he enthused after flying a mini-XC on it and landing in a snow-covered forest.

- Marcus King, XC Mag (full review PDF, 2.27 Mb)

Downloads

• Getting started (PDF)
• User manual (PDF)
• Line plan PI 19 (PDF)
• Line plan PI 23 (PDF) 

Test reports

Test report EN

• EN Testreport PI 

Test reports LTF 

• LTF Testreport PI 19
• LTF Testreport PI 23