Advance PI 2 (PAST MODEL)

Technical data

Colours

Colours: White

PIPACK 2

• 2 sizes: 31 and 37 litres
• Weight: 500 grams
• Ergonomic, adjustable shoulder straps
• Detachable waist strap with small integrated pocket
• Widely adjustable helmet net
• Elastic outside pockets for stowing clothes
• Hiking pole and ice axe holders
• Lead out for drink system

Delivery

• PIPACK 2 (31L or 37L)
• COMPRESSBAG
• Repair Kit
• Mini windsock

Advance only supply speed systems with some their harnesses, not wings.

PI 2 - light versatility

One wing, many uses

The PI 2 comes in four sizes - 16, 19, 23 and 27. Each size features three different takeoff weight (weight range) subdivisions, and the resulting variety of wing loadings call for different piloting styles and levels.

Hike&Fly

Easy to carry, easy to prepare, easy to handle: The Hike & Fly Range is directed at the pleasure-seeking pilot and hiker who wants to concentrate on what’s important in life - enjoying time spent in the mountains. “Air Scoop Technology” and semicircular intakes work together in this weight range to give the PI 2 a high degree of passive safety with agreeable flight characteristics. 

Thermik

Compact, light, excellent climbing characteristics with maximum safety: In its Thermal Range the PI 2’s quiet and pitch-stable canopy is very comfortable to fly, and its small packed dimensions make it suitable for travel. The 23 and 27 version is also recommended as a first light glider. The reduced line set up gives the PI 2 impressive performance. 

Mini Wing

Minimum weight and maximum wing loading: In its Miniwing Range the PI 2 conveys the Actionwing’s sense of speed. Pure dynamics alone can provide maximum flying fun; then we can add high speed contour chasing, strong wind soaring or an ultralight descent device for the alpinist: the miniwing’s very precise and concise handling needs a careful expert who is also an experienced pilot, naturally.

The table shows the EN/LTF A certification as “Beginner”, EN/LTF B certification as “Occasional” (Leisure) and the EN/LTF C level as “Expert”.

Advance Pi 2 table | size, weight, usage, level (click to expand)

Features & Technology

A Choice of Light or Standard Risers

The PI 2 is also versatile with its risers, so you can choose between Standard or Light versions. Both have serial certification, both have the ADVANCE Easy Connect System for a reduced chance of incorrect attachment to the harness.

• Standard: The Standard PI 2 version has split A-risers with an easy-to-reach outer big ears section. Stiffer material makes takeoff handling very straightforward.
• Light: The Light risers are 150 grams lighter and are fitted with Soft-Links. Both riser versions have the same lifespan and long-term shape stability.

Easy Connect System

The Pi 2 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.

The X-Alps Gen: Sliced Diagonals

Inner quality pays off. The new diagonal ribs result in a marked reduction in line metres, and this significantly raises glide performance. Even allowing for the diagonals and a complex inner structure the PI 2 has become even lighter because the diagonal ribs are actually a series of Ripstop strips, a system that proved itself so well in the OMEGA XALPS. The weave of each Ripstop strip is exactly aligned with the local tension direction: this keeps the canopy in shape and maintains its strength for a long time.

ADVANCED Air Inlet Designs

The PI 2 has “Air Scoop” technology at its leading edge. Working with the typical ADVANCE semi-circular air intakes this combination optimises internal air pressure, so that high angles of attack can be sustained for longer. In practice this results in a significantly lowered separation (stall) point and clearly progressive brake loading. This raises the passive safety level.

FAQs

What are the differences between the two riser versions?

Line sorting is easier with Standard Risers because of their stiffer webbing material. Their split A-risers make big ears easy to do.

A PI 2 with Light Risers weighs 150 gms less. The Light Risers use softlinks instead of metal quicklinks. Both riser versions have the same lifespan and structural stability.

The PI 2 is certified with both riser versions. Both have the EASY CONNECT SYSTEM - compatible with ADVANCE harnesses but designed to make clipping in easier and more reliable with any harness.

Which lines does the PI 2 use?

The PI 2 has 100% low stretch, uncovered Edelrid Aramid lines. Our long-term experience with these lines has convinced us of their UV-resistance advantages. Many ultimate strength tests resulting from countless glider checks following intensive use consistently show excellent results. Sophisticated coating of individual fibres and careful internal and external loop reinforcement make PI 2 lines very durable.

How do I work out my PI 2 takeoff weight?

Basically the same as for any other paraglider, and this is the sum of your body weight, clothes and all equipment (paraglider, harness, helmet etc.). But the PI 2’s own light weight will make a difference if you usually add 15 to 20 kg to your body weight as an approximation of total flying weight. With a PI 2 you should only add 7 to 10 kg.
This relocates the choice of PI 2 sizes quite a lot. The PI 2 19 can carry body weights between 45 and 85 kg, the 23 wing from 55 to 105 kg.

What level of pilot skill does the PI 2 need?

This depends very much on glider size and the weight range in which it is flown.

Thermal Range
In the Thermal Range, with up to 3.5 kg/m2 wing loading, the PI 2 is very easy to fly. Here, 23 and 27 sizes deliver maximum safety – indicated by the EN/LTF A certification. Beginner and leisure pilot will feel quite content under these sizes within their thermal weight ranges. The smaller and more lively 19 PI 2 does have a Thermal Range but requires a good and active piloting technique: the 16 does not have a Thermal Range.

Hike & Fly
The Hike & Fly Range - wing loadings 3.5 to 4,5 kg/m2 - is intended for pilots and hikers who enjoy walking up with a light pack and having fun flying down. The 23 and 27 require a competent and safe active flying style in this weight range, and this requirement applies to a greater degree to the 16 and 19 Hike & Fly ranges, because these smaller wings are more manoeuvrable.

MiniWing
In the MiniWing Range, with wing loadings of 4.5 kg/m2 and up, the PI 2 becomes an actionwing. Here pilots should fly very actively with plenty of anticipation. Much higher airspeeds and higher sink rate in the turns require very good piloting for PI 2 MiniWing landings. Before setting out with such a PI 2 ADVANCE recommend that a pilot carefully reads everything the manual has to say about flying at high wing loadings.

Can I fly the PI 2 as a beginner - is it a school glider?

Definitely yes - in the Thermal Ranges of the 23 and 27 sizes. These cover 75 - 90 kg takeoff weights for a 23, and 90 - 105 kg for the 27. Here the PI 2 has EN/LTF A certification. This means the PI 2 can be used for flying training in Germany - where this use has been restricted to EN/LTF A wings since 2015.

How has Chrigel Maurer and Sebastian Huber’s first and second places in the X-Alps 2015 influenced the PI 2?

The PI 2 has OMEGA XALPS development to thank for its light weight – a feature which helped Chrigel and Basti on their way to great success. The PI 2’s “Sliced Diagonals” inside the wing come directly from the OMEGA XALPS weight saving programme. The special thing about these diagonal ribs is that they are made up of Ripstop strips. The strips do the work of a ‘solid’ rib but save a lot of weight, and the weave of each strip can be aligned with its particular load direction – something you cannot do with one large sheet of fabric, so there’s a strength gain here as well as weight saving. “Sliced Diagonals” contribute to both shape stability and long term durability.
PI 2 prototypes were tested extensively by Chrigel and Basti during their lengthy X-Alps training. Great importance was placed on simple ground preparation. The PI 2 had to be quick and easy to lay out, sort the lines and (of course) take off.

What makes the PI 2 different from competitors’ light models?

The “Sliced Diagonals” inside. Even though the PI 2 is so light it lacks nothing when it comes to extensive internal technology. Among a few other things the diagonal ribs spread the loads and save a lot of support points under the wing. Fewer lines reduce total line length, reduce drag and improve performance – a lot. The PI 2 is a quality light wing without compromise.

See also question “Experience from the X-ALPS” and “Innovations/Performance increases”.

What are the innovations since the original PI?

Much more versatile
The PI 2 comes out in four instead of two sizes. These four cover all takeoff weights from 50 to 120 kg. Each size has up to three weight ranges, as a function of wing loading, which makes the PI 2 extremely versatile in its choice of use. This gives the pilot compete freedom to decide whether he wants a wing for Thermal flying, Hiking & Flying or exciting MiniWing action. PI 2 versatility continues as far as risers. A pilot can choose – no extra charge – whether he would like the “Standard” or “Light” version.

Even lighter
The PI 2 has OMEGA XALPS Gen, so to speak. The Ripstop-strip diagonal ribs inside make it very light (see also What makes the PI 2 different from competitors’ light models?), and saved 30 percent of total line metres. This saves plenty of weight as well.

More passive safety
The PI 2 has the “Air Scoop” air intakes that have already proved their worth on the IOTA and ALPHA 6. In conjunction with ADVANCE traditional semi-circular cell openings these better pressurise the wing over a wide range of airflow conditions, in particular enabling a high angle of attack to be sustained for longer. In practice this creates a significantly lower separation (stall) point with clearly-felt progressive brake loading. Certification assessment reflects the resulting high passive safety. The PI 2 has certification for all its weight ranges, including when accelerated (unlike the PI).

Better performance
The PI 2 benefits from “3D Shaping”, which makes for a smoother surface in the critical nose region of the profile. This design technology reduces “ballooning” at the leading edge and contributes to shape stability and performance. ADVANCE have devoted special attention to computer-assisted calculation and painstaking working processes, making traditional but half-hearted attempts at 3D-shaping-for-performance a thing of the past. The new line concept helps out as well, and saves 30% of line length compared with the PI – something else that reduces drag and weight – and improves performance.

What are the advantages of a COMPRESSBAG?

In its COMPRESSBAG the PI 2 can take up less space in the PIPACK or EASINESS reversible harness, leaving more room for your clothes, electronic gadgets and so on. The volume and shape of the COMPRESSBAG are perfect for the PIPACK and EASINESS. This compression bag replaces the usual glider inner bag. Compactly stowed equipment incorporating the COMPRESSBAG makes a smaller rucksack - much more comfortable for a pilot to carry.
For easy packing first fold the paraglider to the width of the (slightly conical) COMPRESSBAG’s base and pack it inside. Zip up the side zips to compress the bag and push the air out of the glider and COMPRESSBAG.

Materials

Downloads

• User manual PI 2
• Lineplan PI 2

Advance Pi 2 paraglider mini wing reviews

Read Flybubble's Pi 2 written reviews and watch our review videos.

Flybubble demo flight video, first impressions:

Flybubble video review:

Read Skywings Magazine review of the Pi 2 and Easiness 2