BGD EPIC (PAST MODEL)

Technical Specification

Sizes	XS	S	M	ML	L
Linear scaling factor	0.96	1	1.04	1.08	1.12
Projected area (M²)	17.9	19.6	21.2	22.8	24.5
Flat area (M²)	21	23	25	26.8	28.9
Glider weight (KG)	4.2	4.6	4.9	5.1	5.4
Total line length (M)	210	230	250	268	289
Height (M)	6.7	7	7.3	7.5	7.8
Number of main lines (A/B/C)	3/4/3
Cells	42
Flat aspect ratio	5
Projected aspect ratio	3.6
Root chord (M)	2.6	2.7	2.8	2.9	3
Flat span (M)	10.2	10.7	11.2	11.6	12
Projected span (M)	8	8.4	8.8	9.07	9.4
Trim speed (KM/H)	38
Top Speed (KM/H)	50
Min Sink (M/S)	1
Best Glide	9
In-flight weight range (KG)	50-65	60-80	75-95	90-110	105-125
Certification	EN/LTF-B

Colours

Standard Colours for this product are Spring, Summer, Winter

Package includes

• BGD T-shirt
• Riser bag
• Stuff sack
• Repair kit
• Speed bar
• Rucksack
• Paraglider
• BGD stickers
• USB stick with manuals
• Compression strap

 

 

• Cord cut billow (CCB)
• Progressive stability
• Eyes wide-open safety
• Triple finger diagonals
• Weight-optimised ribs

 

Info

Designed to satisfy your uncontrollable urge for flying, the EPIC is an intuitive, safe and graphically appealing paraglider. Bruce has packed lots of high-tech design solutions into the EPIC so you can enjoy your journey at your own pace.

Designed for peace of mind no matter what you meet on your journey, she will reassure while you slay that flaming dragon thermal, and see you safely past the snaking valley breeze. A shark nose, mini-ribs, light and efficient speed bar, elliptical tips and a safe but sharp brake range work together for optimal safety, handling, and performance.

The EPIC will give you the confidence to make your journey over the highest mountains, across the deepest valleys and to the ends of the earth and back. 

Target

Once upon a time in a land far, far away (1989 on the Isle of Wight, UK), a younger Bruce Goldsmith toiled night and day, cramming all his ideas into the Black Magic. This paraglider was to fulfill his dreams and take him into the history books.

Now, with the EPIC, fellow pilots can follow on his flight path and embark on their own epic journey. If the passion for flight burns inside you, the EPIC will set you free with, literally, flying colours. The EPIC is ideal for pilots about to leave their house thermal for the first time, and a fun all-rounder for seasoned pilots.

Features

Impeccable Spiral Behaviour

The spiral behaviour is astounding – spiral stability can be a problem with low aspect-ratio beginner wings, but BGDhave tested the paraglider extensively, with different inclinations and sink rates, and never, ever has it stayed in a spiral, once! This is very unusual for a school glider and is a big safety bonus.

Baby A-Riser

BGD has added a 'big ears' A riser which is also on a ½ ratio with the rest of the A lines. This facilitates easy use of big ears while helping speed and stability while on bar. The speed system is light and simple without reflex really helping glide at speed.

Snap Locks

Snap Locks are lightweight, compact attachments that effortlessly 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.

Progressive Stability

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

Cord Cut Billow (CCB)

Cord Cut Billow technology has been developed to improve the form friction, glider stability and overall performance of our 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. Cord Cut Billow technology absorbs the material with a 3D panel resulting in fewer ripples and improved rib profile shape and stability.

Weight-Optimised Ribs

BGD has maintained the strength and rigidity of the ribs while removing unnecessary material. This means less weight for no increase in cost or reduction in strength of the wing. The hole positioning and size depends on the loads taken locally by the sail, and it is thanks to recent developments in our software that it is now possible to accurately calculate this.

Triple Finger Diagonals

Across the whole chord of the profile, BGD has designed three-piece diagonal supports that pass through the holes in other ribs. They ensure structural integrity by avoiding cloth bias from the ribs and creating a more solid wing even when the brake is applied. This is particularly important near the trailing edge since the profile is thin and the diagonal ribs are shallow supporting higher loads.

Optimized Line Layout

Over the years BGD has perfected our system of optimising the line layout of our wings. BGD use numerous equations, software, and the plain old guess-and-check method to build BGD line layouts. The result is simple: fewer lines making stronger, faster gliders

Eyes Wide-Open Safety

Gliders that talk are safer. Safer gliders make pilots perform better. Better performing pilots fly further. Further flying pilots are happier pilots. Eyes Wide-open Safety produces happier pilots.

Designers Notes

I know how privileged I am to have found such an extraordinary sport. During my own journey I have worked out exactly what a pilot preparing to embark on their own such voyage needs. I wrote a list of requirements and designed the EPIC with this in mind. 

The easy aspect ratio of 5.0 is the perfect balance between safety and performance. With only 42 optimised cells the EPIC is a simple, rugged, and very clean paraglider. I gave the EPIC an easy pitch profile and arc for a high degree of passive safety, allowing the pilot to concentrate on the flying. 

I wish I could have had an EPIC when my story began! - Bruce, BGD

Flying Style/Level

Downloads

Manual

Flight Test Report S, M, L