Carlo Borsattino, Author at Flybubble Blog

Phi TENOR light review

I was excited when PHI released a lightweight version of the TENOR. The original wing (also a mid-B) has impressive performance, nippy handling and great passive safety. How does the new TENOR LIGHT compare to the full fat version? I flew it in the UK winter and then for 30 hours in Colombia in a wide spectrum of flying conditions whilst leading a cross country paragliding tour, which gave me a great opportunity to test the responses and compare it with other current wings. Is it any good? Let’s find out.

Supair SKYPPER 2 review: gliding comfort

Supair SKYPPER 2 (pod harness review)

The Supair SKYPPER 2 has everything else you’d expect from a top of the range harness: two reserve containers, thick 18cm back protection, generous storage pockets, a wide instrument cockpit and removable panel, and drogue chute pockets on both sides. It is a slightly different take on the competition harness that makes it more appealing to a broad range of experienced XC pilots.

Gin BONANZA 2 (Paraglider Review)

The Gin BONANZA 2 makes it clear, it’s aiming for Sports Class, and the EN C rating leaves no room for misunderstanding: it’s only suitable for experienced pilots. It looks especially clean, high aspect and racy. Is it too hot? Carlo Borsattino tests the wing in a range of conditions in Tenerife and the UK to analyse the handling and features.

Gin ATLAS 2 (Paraglider review)

The original Gin ATLAS was released in 2013, and has been a hugely successful Progression wing offering ‘easy B’ handling and good performance. It still holds its own against newer wings.

Gin was clearly in no hurry to replace the Atlas. The Atlas 2 is a refined version, not a completely new development.

Supair STEP Paraglider Review

The Supair STEP is a 'high B' suitable for pilots with some experience wanting to 'step up' from their first wing or progression wing into the top part of the EN B category focused on XC flying. Carlo and Nancy flew the wing in a range of summertime conditions in the UK, with some good thermals and quite choppy conditions that gave the STEP a good testing.

Phi TENOR paraglider review

The TENOR (EN B) is bigger brother to the SYMPHONIA ('super-high A'), which the Flybubble Crew are extremely impressed with, so we were excited to try out this new Hanesh Papesh design billed as a ‘kick-ass’ wing. Carlo Borsattino tested it in exceptionally summery conditions in the UK.

Kortel KANIBAL RACE 2 review

The Kortel KANIBAL RACE 2 has all the features you’d expect from a modern competition harness. Two reserve containers (one on each side) that are very neatly integrated. Removable full-size flight deck. Drogue chute pocket (ambidextrous). Ratchet pulleys. Aerodynamic tail fin, ballast storage. But most of all: supreme comfort and control.

Supair PILOT Helmet Review

The Supair PILOT is a modern helmet designed for paraglider pilots and schools. Everyone's head is different, so we stock a wide range of helmets in our fitting room. We appreciate that getting the right helmet can be difficult for the internet shopper. This is where an adjustable system makes sense. The Supair PILOT helmet is officially certified for head sizes from 54 to 59 cm, but our experience is that it fits head sizes from around 53 to 61 cm (XS to L).

Phi SYMPHONIA review

The Symphonia is a new ‘super high A’ wing from a new brand called Phi. This suggests it offers EN-A passive safety but also high levels of performance and energy. I’d flown the Phi Symphonia already in winter conditions and was impressed with it. We wanted to know how the Symphonia would behave and perform during long cross country flights in thermic air.

Gin CONCERTINA COMPRESS BAG review

Packing using a concertina bag helps to preserve your paraglider by protecting it from moisture and mud when packing, and keeping the leading edge section neatly folded. Gin produce an ultralight version, the Concertina Compress Bag, which Carlo tested during a flying trip to Colombia.