The Ozone Alta is a lightweight, high-A glider designed with ultra-lightweight construction influenced by Ozone’s X-Alps models. This advanced construction combines low-B performance with A-class safety, targeting pilots who want the ease and packability of a hike-and-fly glider with excellent passive safety. It's particularly suited to pilots looking for an easy-handling, compact wing for a wide range of uses—especially hike-and-fly.
One standout feature of the Alta is its design to pack compactly, which Ozone seems to excel at; straight from the factory, the glider is always impeccably packed. It also comes with a concertina light pack and integrated compression strap, which keeps it compact for easy transport and storage.
The Alta has relatively short nylon rods along the leading edge, appropriate for its class. It includes a shallow shark nose that reduces flutter and vibration on the leading edge, an issue often found in lower-aspect ratio wings. You can see Ozone’s efforts here with a unique edge finish that improves airflow, helping to keep pressure consistent along the leading edge.
This wing isn’t your classic mid-A glider, like the Mojo, which is now replaced by the Moxy. Instead, it pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in the A class, offering top performance while maintaining high safety standards. Some pilots may wonder why you’d want the best performance within the A class, but to me, it makes sense: you’re getting maximum safety without compromising on performance.
Ozone has paid close attention to the wing’s packing as well. The Alta is delivered in a Concertina Light Pack, which includes an integrated compression strap to keep it compact. If there were a glider-packing competition among manufacturers, I think Ozone would win—it’s impressive how well they pack their wings.
Feeling in the air
The Alta stands out as a well-rounded A-class wing with excellent ground-handling characteristics, making it especially user-friendly in various wind conditions. During testing, even in light, gusty, and variable winds, the Alta felt perfectly suited to its class, offering a reassuring blend of stability and responsiveness. It’s an A-class wing with a bit more readiness than some others in the same category, making it slightly more dynamic while still forgiving.
One of the Alta’s major strengths is its balance between safety and performance. Unlike previous models like the Mojo or Buzz, which tended to drop back and struggled to rise again, the Alta shows a stronger desire to come up and stay up. For example, when I stalled the glider, it returned to flying with ease—offering a nice, dependable recovery that should be appreciated by newer pilots looking for a forgiving experience. This glider’s tendency to come up and fly without excessive drop-back is an important feature, especially when launching in challenging conditions. It strikes a well-considered balance; it’s eager to rise but not difficult to hold down, making it manageable even for pilots honing their skills. The Alta’s light material and thoughtful design also make it very easy to launch. With a breeze, a no-riser launch was effortless; the wing came up smoothly without a hard pull, thanks to its trim and materials.
When launching with risers, just the inner A’s are sufficient, and a gentle pull from the body rather than directly on the risers often provides just the right amount of lift. This ease of inflation sets it apart from other wings, like the Mojo, which required more riser input. Even in nearly calm air, the Alta’s lightweight material allows it to inflate and rise nicely, making it ideal for pilots who value simplicity and ease in their setup. Another noteworthy feature is the Alta’s design balance. The lower lines are sheathed to prevent snags on the ground, while the unsheathed upper lines prioritize performance. Color-coded risers and high-quality pulleys further demonstrate Ozone’s attention to detail, making the Alta a practical choice for pilots aiming to use the speed system effectively without excessive effort.
Materials
The Alta uses a carefully selected combination of materials to maximize performance, durability, and ease of handling. Its lightweight construction, derived from Ozone's higher-performance X-Alps models, allows for easy packing and handling, making it an excellent choice for hike-and-fly pilots who prioritize compactness and simplicity. The lightweight material also enables the wing to inflate effortlessly in even the lightest of breezes, setting it apart from other A-class wings that can feel heavier or require more riser input to launch.
Ozone’s attention to detail shines through in the Alta’s risers, which are crafted with 12mm webbing. The risers are color-coded for intuitive handling, with blue A’s, lilac B’s, and orange C’s, as well as matching colored stitching. This thoughtful design choice aids in quick and easy identification during setup and launch, especially useful in windy or complex conditions.
In terms of lines, the Alta features a balanced approach: the lower main lines and the main brake cascade are sheathed for durability and to minimize snagging on rough terrain, while the upper lines are unsheathed Edelrid 8001 series to boost performance by reducing drag. This combination provides a harmonious balance between ground handling practicality and in-flight efficiency.
The risers are also equipped with sturdy 20mm pulleys on the B-risers, ensuring smooth operation of the speed system—a practical touch that shows the Alta is built for pilots who plan to use the speed bar frequently. Ozone’s use of Maillon connectors rather than soft links provides additional security and robustness, completing the Alta’s riser system with a thoughtful blend of function and ease of use.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the Alta is well-suited for pilots looking for a modern A-class wing that combines user-friendliness with low-B level performance characteristics. It’s especially appealing for hike-and-fly enthusiasts and pilots who value both ease of packing and quality ground handling. The Alta is ideal for those seeking a bit more performance within the A-class, with enough readiness to support progressing pilots without sacrificing safety.
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