Nova BANTAM 2
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When in stock, UK approx 2-5 workdays, other countries see shipping page
The BANTAM 2 – Built for para-alpinists. The popular Hike & Fly wing and three times in a row discipline winner in the paragliding classification (with Chrigel Maurer) comes in an even better version: it is a bit lighter and smaller to pack than its predecessor (it has Nitinol rods), glides better and is even more stable.
With a weight of only 1.6 kg (size 12), very short lines and ultra-small pack size, the BANTAM 2 (size 14: EN C/LTF D, size 12: EN/LTF D) is an excellent miniwing for alpine adventures and competitions. This mountaineering wing masters demanding take-off sites and inspires with its speed, good glide performance and high stability.
Technical data
| Size | 12 | 14 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certified take off weight | kg | 60-90 | 55-100 |
| Number of cells | 33 | ||
| Projected span | m | 6.4 | 7.0 |
| Projected area | m² | 12.1 | 14.0 |
| Projected aspect ratio | 3.4 | 3.5 | |
| Flat span | m | 8.0 | 8.6 |
| Flat area | m² | 14.4 | 16.2 |
| Flat aspect ratio | 4.5 | ||
| Distance pilot – canopy | m | 4.3 | 4.5 |
| Total line length | m | 157.6 | 170.0 |
| Max. chord | m | 2.2 | 2.4 |
| Min. chord | m | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| Weight | kg | 1.6 | 1.8 |
| Certification | EN/LTF D | EN C/LTF D | |
Package
- Mini Stuff Sack
- Holding pins
- Simple flag
- Repair kit
- Manual
Optional extras
- Nova Backpack
- Standard Risers - Kevlar 12 mm
- Speed system
BANTAM 2 - Built for para-alpinists
To the launch, get set, go! The BANTAM 2 features all the characteristics that enable top rankings in competitions like the Red Bull Dolomitenmann, Rise & Fall, etc. A quick launch is essential and this occurs reliably thanks to the short lines and easy inflation. In the air, the ultralight mountain wing impresses with even better glide performance, higher stability and top speed than its predecessor. For several years now, the BANTAM concept has proven itself at the Red Bull Dolomitenmann: with the BANTAM (1), Chrigel Maurer has won the individual paragliding discipline three times in a row. During the development of the BANTAM 2, the core characteristics were once again significantly improved.
Compact companion. The short lines and direct handling of the BANTAM 2 enable extreme precision – from launch to landing. Its predecessor gave rise to Theo de Blic's world-famous Throw & Go videos, in which he launches the BANTAM from narrow cliffs and exposed peaks. The BANTAM 2 excites with even simpler and less complicated launch behaviour, which is also an absolute advantage on less extreme launch sites. Feedback through the risers and brakes is conveyed even more directly. The agility and speed of the miniwing means lots of flying fun. The BANTAM 2 can also withstand strong winds without any problems. Improved flare and stall behaviour guarantees a soft landing. The combination of these features make for a great flying experience. Whether hike & fly, climb & fly or simply a pleasurable glide down - the BANTAM 2 is a great companion for your day in the mountains.
New design – same principle. With their own design software, Nova was able to significantly optimise the characteristics of the BANTAM 2. It also benefits from the know-how generated by the design of the ION 7 & ION 7 Light and the MENTOR 7 & MENTOR 7 Light. Based on the successful design of its predecessor, the BANTAM 2 meets all the demands of a fun mountaineering wing. It differs in essential parameters such as profile and arc. This increases stability, and improves performance and launch and landing behaviour. The slightly increased aspect ratio of 4.5 (BANTAM (1): 4.4) also contributes to a better glide. With a distance from pilot to canopy of 4.3 m and a weight of only 1.6 kg in size 12 (50 grams less than its predecessor), the BANTAM 2 is even more light and compact.
Simply flying. Thanks to its clever features, using the BANTAM 2 is easier than ever before. Coloured sheathed main lines make pre-launch preparations easier and do not tangle much. The 7 mm easily manageable and ultralight Kevlar-reinforced risers have been stiffened to minimise twisting. If there are slippery conditions on take-off, the included holding pins allow you to easily secure the glider. During launch, the pins detach from the ground and fly down into the valley attached to the glider. The Nitinol rods in the leading edge make packing easier as they reduce volume while retaining their shape. After landing, you can quickly pack your BANTAM 2 and be ready for the next adventure.
PS: the perfect combination with the BANTAM 2 is their mountaineering harness MONTIS which weighs only 320 grams in size M.
Pilot target group
The BANTAM 2 is aimed at pilots who like to fly small, manoeuvrable, ultralight paragliders. With regard to pilot experience, the well-known rule applies: the skill required increases with the wing loading. So if you fly the BANTAM 2 12 (EN D) at the upper end of the weight range, you must expect very dynamic flight behaviour. Accordingly, a high degree of wing control is needed. In contrast, the BANTAM 2 in size 14 (EN C) is quite a tame mountain glider when loaded in the lower third of the certified weight range. It can climb even in weaker thermals.
In general, the BANTAM 2 is ideal for hike & fly and climb & fly - as well as for competitions such as Red Bull Dolomitenmann or Rise & Fall.
Ultra-lightweight. The ultimate in lightness.
Designed for hike & fly, climb & fly and vol biv, ultra-lightweight products are built to be as light and compact as possible. To achieve this, Nova use the lightest materials and technologies available - but never at the expense of safety! For the longest possible enjoyment of the product, NOVA recommend particularly careful handling of the equipment.
Quote from..
"The BANTAM (1) was the very first wing NOVA sent me a few days before I signed my contract, and it's fair to say that it was that wing which made our partnership what it is today. Therefore, it holds a special place in my heart.
The BANTAM 2 retains everything that made the BANTAM 1 so special: its dynamic and fun behavior, incredible lightness, and precise handling. It also adds performance, stability, and an extended speed range, making this wing the ultimate hike & fly machine."
— Theo de Blic, team pilot
Technology
The ultimate in lightness.
Designed for hike & fly, climb & fly and vol biv, ultra-lightweight products are built to be as light and compact as possible. To achieve this, Nova use the lightest materials and technologies available - but never at the expense of safety! For the longest possible enjoyment of the product, they recommend particularly careful handling of the equipment.
Consistent at top speed.
Using thin webbing at the leading edge, the upper and lower surfaces are connected in the middle of each cell. This promotes leading edge solidity in flight, which is particularly beneficial to performance when flying at speed.
Smart stuff.
What Nova means by that is, for example, Nitinol. This material can be bent when packing the equipment, but it always returns to its original shape. This characteristic can be very useful! In paragliders, the high-quality Nitinol rods replace the usual nylon rods. They are even more robust and ensure an optimally shaped airfoil contour. In harnesses, the properties of Nitinol are used, among other things, to ensure that the airbag fills with air before take off.
Comfort on the ground.
All NOVA paragliders are made to be easy to use. For packing you can use a concertina bag, but it is not essential. Their extensive experience with rods has taught us that the packing method has little influence on the durability of the wing. Bent rods quickly spring back into their original shape.
More compact.
The aspect ratio of a glider is not the only factor in passive safety, but still a very important one. A high aspect ratio favours cravats after asymmetric collapses, generally shortens brake travel and normally makes wings more difficult to fly. Nova's analytical tools permit us to build performance wings even with a low or moderate aspect ratio.
Under pressure.
NOVA Air Scoop is an optimised air intake, which increases the internal wing pressure. NOVA's Air Scoop principle is similar to the ram-air inlet duct on a sports car: increased airflow produces higher pressure. Higher internal pressure in a paraglider means improved performance through increased structural stability and collapse resistance.
Materials
| Leading edge: | Dominico 10D, 26 g/m² |
|---|---|
| Top surface: | Dominico 10D, 26 g/m² |
| Lower surface: | Dominico 10D, 26 g/m² |
| Profile ribs (suspended): | Skytex 27 hard 27 g/m² |
| Profile ribs (unsuspended): | Skytex 27 hard 27 g/m² |
| Main lines: | Liros PPSLS 191 / TSL 140 |
| Gallery lines: | Edelrid U-8000 / PPSLS 65 |
| Brake lines: | 7850-240 / PPSLS 65 |
| Light Risers: | Kevlar 7 mm |
- Light Risers: 7 mm wide, Kevlar-reinforced
- Nitinol rods for better profile shape in accelerated flight and easier packing
- Optional extra-standard risers
For those who want more robust risers: Kevlar 12mm - A clear 3+1 riser (i.e. an A3 riser for big ears). It consists of 12 mm wide Aramid fibre-reinforced webbing, is light and uncomplicated to handle.
FAQ
The DOUBLESKIN is also a mountain wing made of ultralight materials ("Ultra-lightweight"), but in "standard size" and EN A certified. It is therefore suitable for pilots who appreciate an easy-to-fly glider that impresses with a low take off speed and a good climb rate in weak thermals.
This value indicates the distance from the carabiner main attachment point vertically upwards to the lower sail. In other words, it describes how far the pilot is from the glider. With hike & fly gliders, this distance is particularly relevant for launching: the closer you stand to the glider with the lines stretched out, the less space is required for the inflation. In flight, a small distance provides "direct contact" with the glider. A slightly larger distance indirectly increases the glide performance and provides a more "all-round" flying feeling, which is especially desirable for thermalling and XC gliders.
The ideal distance to the canopy must therefore always be evaluated in relation to the intended use.
The very light cloth is a little more sensitive to damage than a heavier paraglider cloth. Unnecessary mechanical stress (dragging the wing over the ground, intensive ground handling) and unnecessary UV exposure should be avoided. In general, wings should always be folded when dry and loosely stored in the glider bag. All NOVA paragliders – whether light or standard – are covered by our comprehensive guarantee package.
The Nitinol rods in the leading edge are characterised by low weight and volume and are less susceptible to kinking than nylon rods. However, when packing, we recommend not bending the rods too much. Apart from that, no special technique is required and you can use any type of packsack. You will achieve the smallest possible volume with our Ultralight Compression Bag. But to protect the equipment in the long term, the wing should be stored loosely packed.
The pins can be attached to the specially provided tabs of the wing using the loops provided (the exact instructions can be found in the manual of the glider.) If used correctly, the pins are pulled out of the ground or the snow when taking off and they fly into the valley attached to their loops. If one still get lost, it is no drama - our holding pins are made of wood and therefore biodegradable. It is very important to remove the pins when packing to avoid any damage to the glider.
Nova service info
Read Nova service info here.
Nova product registration
Register your Nova product here.
Downloads
| Condition | New |
|---|---|
| Product Info | Click here |
| EN Certification | EN D |
| LTF Certification | LTF D |
| Model Status | Current model |
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