Staying ahead of the game … the rain squalls were at my back for the first 50km, but as I was pressing on downwind they couldn’t catch up to me.
The PEAK 4 (EN D) replaces the PEAK 3 in Niviuk’s range and fits squarely in the Performance Class, below the Competition Class Icepeak 8 (CCC) and above the Sports Class Artik 4 (EN C).
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Many manufacturers these days have two wings in their range certified EN/LTF B: a ‘low B’ (Progression Class) wing catering for school-leavers, and a ‘high B’ (XC Class) wing for top performance. With the LEAF, Supair have aimed for the middle ground–‘mid B’ (Progression Class)–and designed a wing for everyday use in all conditions aimed at pilots who want flying to be simple and safe yet fun.
Read moreThere has been much debate recently about the perceived dangers of hang glider and paraglider pilots sharing the air at some sites. This is not a new development; it has been addressed many times and features prominently in BHPA Club Coaching courses, the BHPA Pilot Handbook and in most clubs’ sites guides.
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The Advance Alpha 5 was an outstanding first wing that took beginners well beyond the school environment. The updated design boasts less weight, fewer lines and double 3D shaping at the leading edge that is bound to give it more performance. The Alpha 6 also promises 'air scoop technology' that increases the stall resistance when flying slowly. With all these improvements, is it still suitable for training? Does it meet the needs of adventurous beginners and recreational pilots?
Read moreLike many paraglider pilots, I’ve been a big fan of the Red Bull X-Alps ever since the event launched in 2003 (with only 17 participants and a small audience). This incredible hike and fly race embodies much what I love about paragliding: a wonderful light flying machine that fits in a bag, which allows you to launch into unknown adventures, and challenges you to make the most of the day’s given conditions.
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The latest firmware for the Connect 1, Albatross 6, is now ready for download. The highlights are airspaces and scrolling between different flight pages. What’s new:
Airspaces: Connect the Connect 1 via USB to a computer and drag the desired airspace file in OpenAir format into the folder “airspaces”.
For the full widescreen XPYRIENCE, download the PDF VERSION >
I was following the classic X-Pyr route that runs the length of the Pyrenees from coast to coast, so I flew in to Bilbao then took the obvious bus to San Sebastian. The next link to Hondarribia was a bit trickier to find but was shown on an ordinary bus shelter timetable.
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Most of the trip, I’d been pleasantly surprised by plentiful fast flowing streams that looked OK to drink from. So I had been carrying less and less water, because it’s damn heavy.
But then I had that killer ascent in blistering heat, and despite taking my full 4L my water ran low.
Read moreGreg Hamerton tests the new entry level Alti-Vario-GPS from Flytec. Aimed squarely at new pilots, the Track offers a robust, simple and accurate solution for basic flight information.
As a variometer, it’s one of the best in the business. I’ve always regarded Flytec as the gold standard when it comes to accurate vario tones, and the Track follows this fine Swiss tradition.
Read moreThe Mentor 4 is an update of the Mentor series which dominated the XC class for a long time. It gets its performance from being very steady in the air – it doesn't roll, shows limited tendency to yaw, and pitches only slightly as it moves through turbulence.
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