Nova ION 6 (PAST MODEL)

Technical data

Colours

Standard colours: Green, Blue, Sangria, Orange.

Custom colours available.

Package

• NOVA rucksack. The wing and harness will determine the size of the rucksack. We are offering our high quality and comfortable to carry models in size S (110 litres), M (145 litres) and in L (165 litres).
• NOVA stuff sack. Elegant, technically thought out inner bag. Thanks to its square shape, your folded wing can be easily stored in the bag. Openings in the bottom of the bag allow good ventilation.
• NOVA riser bag. This convenient little bag will protect your risers while transporting or storing your wing.
• NOVA windsock. So you know where the wind is coming from, we have added a NOVA windsock. With a length of approximately 80cm it is large enough for a take-off site.
• Speed system. Your paraglider is fitted with a high quality speed system. Thanks to three holes in the cord attachment point, it will flexibly and simply adapt to your harness and leg length.
• Repair kit. Everyone hopes it will never happen: a hole or tear in the paraglider. We have included a minor damage repair kit in the right colour for such an eventuality.
• Manual. We have enclosed a very detailed manual which contains everything you need to know about your flying equipment. Please study it before flying your gear for the first time.

ION 6 – adventure awaits

• Three-liner
• 51 cells
• Aspect ratio 5.19 flat
• Weight 4.7kg (S)
• EN/LTF B

Room for ambition. No matter where and how far you fly, with the ION 6 nothing stands in the way of a personal best flight. But on this journey the fun does not fall by the wayside, because simple launch behaviour, pleasant handling and an effective speed system are included as standard. Or put differently, with the ION 6, both pilots new to the EN B class and (XC) professionals are well-equipped for every adventure - be it at the local site, when chasing kilometres or on paragliding trips.

Form follows function. The line length and thus the distance between the pilot and the canopy is significantly reduced on the ION 6. This results in more direct handling in the air as well as advantages during take off. For example, it requires less room to lay out the canopy and the wing inflates quickly and reliably. Additionally, the curvature of the wing has been reduced, meaning the canopy is “flatter”. This increases the roll damping and ensures stable flight. Due to the short lines, and despite the high roll damping, the ION 6 reacts precisely to brake inputs - and the pilot can feel what is happening above them without delay. Another consequence of the reduced curvature is the increased projected aspect ratio (3.84) compared to the ION 5 (3.52). However, the flat aspect ratio has increased by only 0.6%.

Relaxed from A to B. Successful cross-country flying requires complete concentration. The ION 6 makes this easy to do with its high level of passive safety, leaving you time to enjoy the view on the way. In flight, it quickly becomes clear that it can be turned particularly flat - i.e. you can’t “overcook it" when you want to fly a tight turn. This means you lose less height and can use even weak thermals effectively. But banking it higher, if you want a little more dynamics, is easily possible and this requires little brake travel and moderate brake pressure. In addition, the ION 6 has mini-ribs with internal seams, which increase the performance of the glider and ensure a smooth trailing edge. The other features built into the wing are a Mini-Rib Vector Tape and 3D Shaping at the leading edge.

Simply keep track of things. The ION 6 has specially designed adjustable risers. This system is also used, for example, on the MENTOR 6 (EN/LTF B) and the SECTOR (EN/LTF C). What does this mean? The A3 line is shortened less during acceleration than the A1 and A2 lines. This increased the stability of the wing during accelerated flight. Apart from that, the risers are standard and are very user-friendly on launch and during ground handling. The coloured markings for right and left, which also continue on the brake handles and the carabiners of our harnesses, make it easy to check whether you have hooked in correctly. By the way… line sorting is also easy, because the ION 6 has sheathed main, brake and stabilo lines and follows the colour scheme recommended by the PMA: A = red, B = yellow, C = blue, brake = orange, stabilo line = green.

Pilot target group

For six generations, the ION has enabled both talented beginners (in countries where training with EN B gliders is permitted) and recreational pilots with cross-country ambitions to further refine their skills. It offers high passive safety, direct handling and performance in one - which gives it great potential to assist pilots in their development. If you want to increase both XC duration and distance, you will find that there must be a match between your own ability to concentrate and the attention that the glider itself demands. This is where the ION 6 really shines and enables relaxed flights. The target group of pilots for whom this glider is suitable is correspondingly broad.

Short and compact

3D-Shaping. In addition to the standard 3D-Shaping there is a Zig-zag 3D-Shaping seam on each cell. The advantage is that this seam doesn’t run in the direction of the spanwise force. This means the seam runs more cleanly and is more aerodynamically advantageous. This innovation reduces the creases in the leading edge.

Mini-ribs. Mini-ribs increase the number of cells in the rear wing area and thus provide an aerodynamically optimised trailing edge. The necessary seams are on the inside. The mini-ribs also help to keep the brake pressure moderate.

Mini-Rib Vector Tape. In the ION 6, an additional vector tape runs through slots in the mini-ribs. This tape reduces the crease that is created when braking. This markedly increases climb performance and handling. Additionally, there is a brake gathering system on the trailing edge. These features mean the ION 6 has a beautiful, smooth trailing edge, even when the brakes are applied.

Optimised risers. The risers of the ION 6 consist of 12 mm wide risers and have a built-in wing twist adjustment, which shortens the A3 line less than A1 and A2 during acceleration. This increases the stability of the wing during accelerated flight. During launch and ground handling a magnet below the maillons holds the two A-risers together, allowing a better overview. In addition, small straps fitted into metal eyelets prevent the risers from twisting during acceleration.

New design. The central design element is the sweep, which visually emphasises the aspect ratio of the wing, complemented by a differently coloured banderole on the outer wing. The product and brand name can be seen on the banderoles. What is special about the banderole is that its placement and composition across several cells varies slightly from model to model.

Quote from Fabian (NOVA Test Pilot)

“We worked on various prototypes during the thermal season, trying out many different brake geometries and trims. This resulted in a few hundred flights that were really worth it. The handling is very direct - the ION 6 is as easy as it is precise to control.”

Weight comparison ION 6 vs. ION 6 Light

Quality & guarantee

We not only test the cloth for durability (high porosity or reduced tear resistance through UV damage or wear) but also for mechanical robustness, for example stretching. For quality control purposes we regularly take samples during serial production. Good to know: regardless of whether particularly light or regular cloth was used, we give an extensive warranty on every new NOVA paraglider. A condition for this is timely registration.

Technology

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. Our 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.

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.

Shaped in top form. In 3D-shaping, a seam on the upper surface extends over the entire span and reduces the amount of folds caused by the curvature over two axes. Two axes, because the sail cloth has to align to the profile form and the ballooning also determines a radius which the cloth also has to follow.

Mini-Rib Vector Tape. A vector tape near the trailing edge has various advantages. Firstly, this tape reduces the crease in the upper surface that is created when braking. Secondly, the wing is more compact, i.e. the wing deforms less during glides in moving air. To maximise both these advantages, it was necessary to locate this vector tape very far back in the area of the mini-ribs.

Zig-Zag 3D-Shaping. In addition to the standard 3D Shaping there is a Zig-zag 3D Shaping seam on each cell. The advantage is that this seam doesn’t run in the direction of the spanwise force. This means the seam runs more cleanly and is more aerodynamically advantageous. This innovation reduces the creases in the leading edge.

Materials

Flybubble review

“ The pilots that ION 6 is aimed at are one ambitious beginners. The other target pilot group is pilots looking for their second glider upgrading from their A class glider. And/or also pilots who are regular pilots who've been flying for a while and just aren't flying so regularly nowadays and just want something safe with very good performance. I have found that the ION 6 does indeed turn quite a bit flatter than its predecessor. It's got that tendency and if you hold on the brake, the glider will turn nicely. It won't tend to go down and go into that spirally tight turn.

On launch the ION 6 is very easy, it's absolute classic low B. Very easy to come up in all conditions. In the stronger conditions you need to hold the glider down a bit more. It's good fun to play with and easy to kite. I feel that the ION 6 prefers a little bit to be loaded and not too low in the weight range. Probably, at least a third of the weight.

In the air, the ION 6 has a very comfortable, very reassuring feeling. Both because the glider is very solid and collapsed resistant. It gives you some feedback, but it's kind of a little bit dampened, but it's kind of a little bit dampened. The glider stays pretty nicely above your head too. So in that way the pilot demands are very low and the comfort factor are very high. I found that the ION 6 actually climbs really well for a low B glider. You're able to turn nicely into thermals. It turns nice and flat, it's more efficient too. So that combination of the reasonably nimble handling and the pitch stability, and the good climb rate means that it climbs very well in thermals even in the weaker stuff, which is good. The speed system in ION 6 is pretty typical for a low B glider so it gives you a nice increase of speed of around 10 kilometres an hour over trim. The glide still keeps pretty well, but it does drop off a little bit, in still air, so you notice the glide angle is going down but it's actually surprisingly efficient for a low B. The ION 6, like, a lot of low B's nowadays has really good performance and very good on bar. And because the bar is so solid, and efficient, and usable, you feel like you can use the whole range. The brake pressure is moderate, it's neither light or heavy. Is relatively short for a low B, kind of easy handling and the turns. The stall point is perfect for the low B class. Very forgiving and very obvious.

In summary, the ION 6 is a very well made low B wing that's perfectly pitched for the class. It offers very easy launch in all conditions, very high passive safety, and a high comfort factor, yet with excellent performance. ION 6 has the relatively nimble handling, also the good feedback, that means it's also very pleasurable to fly and has a good fun factor."

— Carlo Borsattino, Flybubble

Watch the Flybubble video review:

Other reviews

"The construction and finishing details are excellent! It is easy to launch the Ion 6 ... Smooth rise with no surge or delay. In the air, the brake travel is relatively short ... to react but long and forgiving if pulled.

I flew in some strong and turbulent air and the very high comfort under the Ion 6 delivers an immense feel of passive safety. The feedback under the ION 6 is accurate but very polite! delivering a comfortable ride with the necessary feedback to enjoy every moment.

Usually, I find some low B gliders to be boring by the very restricted and dull feel under them. But not under the Ion 6, which gave me the pleasure I needed to fly it with a relaxed smile.

The gliding power of that low B is surprisingly good for achieving long XC’s. I had some low saves also, and the accurate brakes helped a lot in getting the weak ones. The ION 6 climbs also well. Ears are stable, efficient, and reopen alone.

Conclusion: I think NOVA managed to create an impressive package of “performance, comfort, pleasure” in a single glider. I’m mostly certain that in some good XC days, the pilot under the Ion 6 will achieve his goal while having fun, and still with plenty of energy left in him. Test flying the ION 6 XS could be highly addictive!"

- Ziad Bassil, Dust of the universe (full review)

Nova service info & FAQ

Read Nova service info and answers to FAQ.

Downloads

• Presentation
• Manual
• Lineplan

Freeflight certification (EN/LTF):

• XXS Certification
• XS Certification
• S Certification
• M Certification
• L Certification

Motor certification (DGAC):

• Motor