The Supair BIRDY 2 is designed to sit between the EONA 4 and the LEAF 3 in Supair's range. It targets pilots looking for the highest level of performance and handling available in the EN A category, while retaining the passive safety and ease of use that new and progressing pilots need. After spending considerable time flying the Birdy 2 in a wide range of conditions, it's clear that Supair has produced one of the most capable high-A wings currently available.

First Impressions

The BIRDY 2 comes as part of a well-thought-out package. Included are a Trek2 Backpack 110, a Supair Compact Case concertina bag, a simple speed bar, and a small repair kit. The Compact Case is one of our favourite concertina bags, making packing quick and convenient while helping to protect the wing.

Build quality immediately stands out. The stitching is excellent, the materials feel premium throughout, and every detail has been carefully finished. Supair has clearly invested in producing a wing that should offer excellent durability over many years of use.

Launch

Ground handling is one of the BIRDY 2's greatest strengths. Inflation is effortless, predictable, and extremely forgiving. It rises slightly faster than a traditional mid-A wing, but never feels demanding or intimidating. As the wing reaches overhead, it naturally pauses above the pilot, making launches calm and controlled even in less-than-perfect conditions.

For pilots learning to paraglide — or anyone who appreciates easy launches — the BIRDY 2 inspires confidence from the very first inflation.

Handling

The BIRDY 2's handling is what really sets it apart from many other EN A gliders.

Compared with more traditional wings such as the Supair EONA 4 or the Advance Alpha series, the BIRDY 2 feels noticeably more agile and responsive. It reacts immediately to brake inputs without becoming nervous or overly dynamic. The result is a wing that feels genuinely enjoyable to fly.

Many experienced pilots still associate A-class gliders with slow, dull handling. The BIRDY 2 completely changes that perception. If you flew it without knowing its certification, you could easily mistake it for a low EN B in terms of its agility and precision.

Every flight on the BIRDY 2 has simply been fun. Whether soaring smooth coastal lift or flying challenging inland conditions, the wing always encourages confident, enjoyable flying.

Comfort and Feedback

Although the BIRDY 2 remains extremely comfortable, it communicates the air better than most classic A-wings.

Rather than filtering out every movement, it gives enough information for the pilot to understand what the air is doing without becoming tiring or intimidating. This additional feedback makes it easier to centre thermals and fly efficiently while still maintaining the reassuring stability expected from an EN A wing.

The result is an excellent balance between comfort and communication.

Thermalling

Thermalling is one of the BIRDY 2's strongest qualities.

The responsive handling allows quick adjustments while climbing, making it easy to stay centred in even narrow or broken thermals. The wing bites into lift exceptionally well and climbs extremely efficiently.

During testing in rough, punchy conditions, the BIRDY 2 remained impressively composed while still allowing accurate control. It turns quickly into strong cores without feeling unstable, giving the pilot confidence even when conditions become challenging.

For many pilots, this may be the easiest wing they've ever used to learn efficient thermalling.

Performance

Performance is genuinely impressive for an EN A glider.

Glide performance sits right at the top of the class, with excellent penetration into wind and very efficient progress through sinking air. The BIRDY 2 maintains energy well and feels noticeably more capable than traditional mid-A wings during longer glides.

Climb performance is equally impressive. Whether flying weak thermals or stronger spring conditions, the wing consistently converts lift into height efficiently.

Trim speed is well judged—not slow, not excessively fast—and accelerated performance is equally convincing.

Speed Bar

The speed bar pressure is moderate, giving plenty of feedback without becoming heavy.

Even when fully accelerated, the wing remains remarkably solid and confidence-inspiring. Although the leading edge naturally develops small dimples at full bar, the overall profile remains clean and collapse resistance stays excellent.

Rather than chasing maximum top speed, Supair has prioritised usable performance and reassuring behaviour under acceleration. For the pilots this wing is aimed at, that is exactly the right compromise.

Safety

The BIRDY 2 remains firmly within the EN A category, but compared with more traditional A-wings it carries slightly more energy.

During collapse testing, small asymmetric collapses recovered almost immediately. Larger collapses produced a little more turn and slightly more dynamic behaviour than classic mid-A gliders, but recovery remained straightforward and predictable.

Pilots seeking the absolute calmest possible behaviour may still prefer a traditional wing such as the EONA 4 or Advance Alpha. However, those wanting higher performance and more engaging handling without leaving the EN A category will appreciate what the Birdy 2 offers.

Descent Techniques

Big ears are simple and effective thanks to the split A-risers. They are easy to apply, remain stable, and work well with the speed bar.

Spiral dives are equally straightforward. Entry is quick thanks to the responsive handling, while exit is progressive and automatic. Like any good EN A wing, the BIRDY 2 naturally limits excessive dive during recovery, helping to maintain a high level of passive safety.

Construction

The BIRDY 2 demonstrates excellent attention to detail throughout.

The leading edge features an optimised shark-nose profile with Nitinol rods that resist deformation while remaining lightweight. Main lines are fully sheathed for durability, while the upper cascades are unsheathed to reduce drag.

The wing incorporates 3D shaping, mini-ribs, reefed wingtips, premium Ronstan pulleys, well-organised risers, comfortable brake handles, and excellent stitching throughout.

One particularly welcome change from the original BIRDY is the use of metal Maillons instead of soft links. This should help maintain more consistent trim throughout the life of the wing and simplify servicing.

Overall, the construction quality is outstanding.

Weight Range

Supair has expanded the BIRDY 2 to six sizes while revising the weight ranges to make sizing easier.

The wing performs well throughout much of its certified range, although it feels happiest from around the middle of the range towards the upper half. Thanks to its excellent climb rate and responsive handling, even heavily loaded examples continue to perform exceptionally well.

Verdict

The Supair BIRDY 2 represents exactly what a modern high-EN A wing should be.

It launches beautifully, ground handles effortlessly, thermals exceptionally well, and delivers performance that rivals many low EN B gliders, all while maintaining the reassuring passive safety expected from the EN A category.

For pilots progressing from school, those wanting to delay moving into EN B, or experienced pilots looking for a fun, lightweight, confidence-inspiring glider, the BIRDY 2 is one of the strongest options currently available.

Its combination of playful handling, excellent climb performance, impressive glide, high-quality construction, and forgiving nature makes it one of the standout EN A wings on the market.

Pros

• Outstanding launch behaviour

• Playful, responsive handling

• Excellent thermalling performance

• Class-leading glide and climb

• Premium construction quality

• Very forgiving while remaining engaging to fly

Cons

• Slightly more dynamic than classic mid-EN A wings

• Pilots seeking maximum passive damping may prefer a more traditional EN A design

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