Nova MENTOR 7 Light

Technical data

¹ CTW: Certified take-off weight in kilograms.

² RTW: Recommended take-off weight in kilograms.

Colours

Standard colours: Red, Gold, Lime, Blue.

Custom colours: Choose your colours and email us the colour reference with your order. Include a screenshot if you can. Full payment required upfront to confirm your order after which it cannot be cancelled.

Package

• Concertina Bag Light OR Rucksack
• Inflatable pack roll
• Manual
• Windsock
• Repair kit
• Speed system cords

MENTOR 7 Light – Hybrid 2.5-liner

The best possible combination. This performance optimised 2.5-liner flies more comfortably than many 3-liners. How come? Philipp Medicus, Head of R&D at NOVA explains: “The difference in design between the MENTOR 6 and 7 is greater than between the 2 and the 6. Absolutely everything is new. Only the pilot group and its potential as an XC machine are the same.” This means the MENTOR 7 Light will appeal to all cross-country pilots who would like to achieve their distances within the B class and who want a state-of-the-art “teacher” at their side.

Intelligent lightweight construction. Among other things, the MENTOR 7 Light owes its outstanding performance to the 66 cells and its complex inner construction. In order to live up to the name "Light", the wing features high-quality, durable lightweight materials. Ideal for ambitious cross-country flights and every conceivable hike & fly adventure.

Optimised XC potential. The strength of the MENTOR 7 Light lies in its “actually usable performance”. Fully accelerated, it cuts solidly through unstable air masses, and the C-steering can be used to efficiently mitigate turbulence. Performance, smooth flying and safety are the hallmarks of a genuine MENTOR. The MENTOR 7 Light also impresses with its manageable extreme flight behaviour. For example, accelerated collapses are even more gentle than on the previous model. All NOVA test pilots confirm that this wing, with its moderate aspect ratio of 5.5, is very pleasant to fly and additionally has even more top speed than the MENTOR 6. The ideal prerequisites for breaking personal records.

Perfect pitch (control). The MENTOR 7 Light has Height Adjustable C-Handles (known as HAC handles) on the risers, that allow pitch control in accelerated flight, which was previously limited to two-liners such as the XENON. This means it is easy to compensate for turbulence and flying XC is far more efficient. Those with no previous experience of C-steering can take a relaxed approach to learn this new flight technology with the MENTOR 7 Light and gain a real performance advantage for themselves. Please note: how this C-steering works is explained below.

Elaborate design. Like Nova's XENON, its "little brother", the MENTOR 7 Light does not work without rods. Therefore, Nova says goodbye to their "Easy Packing" principle in favour of a clear performance advantage. This basically just means that they recommend you don't stuff the MENTOR 7 Light into the pack sack crumpled up, but rather folded up and packed with the help of the enclosed pack roll. A little effort is worth it, as this means the rods remain in shape, the lines are tidier and it saves time during the preparation before the next flight. Please note: when buying the MENTOR 7 Light, you can decide between the Concertina Bag Light or a rucksack.

Multi-talented risers. The most prominent feature of the MENTOR 7 Light’s new Speedbrake Riser 2.0 is the HAC-Handles. Another striking feature is the "Baby-B" line, which acts as a moveable pulley on the B3 line. This means the riser is a little more complex, but it is still clearly laid out and easy to handle even when launching. Good to know when ground handling: you can kill the MENTOR 7 Light very effectively using the C-lines. As there is no C3 line, what does not work so well are asymmetric corrections via the C-lines. For lateral directional corrections, Nova therefore recommends using the brake.

Pilot target group

The MENTOR 7 Light (EN/LTF B) is a state-of-the-art "teacher" in the tradition of the MENTOR series (performance, smooth in flight, safety), which does not tend to overshoot during inflation and impresses with an extreme flight behaviour that is manageable for its class. As a hybrid 2.5-liner, it is suitable for cross-country pilots who are experienced in handling EN B gliders, or who want to get the maximum out of a flight using the speed-bar and HAC handles. So if you want to familiarise yourself with pitch control similar to the flying feeling of a two-liner, this is the wing to fly. It is important to understand that the hybrid construction partly influences ground handling and means, for example, that the use of the B3 stall is more effective than classic big ears.

Features

Hybrid design as a 2.5-liner. On the outer wing the MENTOR 7 Light is a two-liner, in the center a three-liner. This means this “2.5-liner” does not have a C3 line. The smart redistribution of the attachment points and a profile optimised for accelerated flying make the MENTOR 7 Light a comfortable and potentially record-breaking fast cross-country glider. At the same time, the safety and smoothness in flight remains typical of the MENTOR and accordingly the certification also resulted in EN B certification.

Speedbrake Riser 2.0 incl. HAC Handles. The MENTOR 7 Light has HAC handles (Height Adjustable C-Handles) on the newly revised riser. With these, pitch movements in accelerated flight can be compensated for in the best possible way. This means that on cross-country flights you to get from A to B even more efficiently - i.e. faster and with less sink. In addition, the C-steering is very comfortable and requires little effort.

Aerodynamics optimised for speed. The design of the MENTOR 7 Light focused on speed. The profile ensures a high degree of pitch stability even at low angles of attack. In numerous simulations, the ballooning as well as the stress distribution was refined to minimise the deformation of the glider when accelerated. The cell openings are designed so that the internal pressure remains ideal even in accelerated flight. The result is excellent glide performance with an exceptional level of stability.

Technology

Two concepts combined. A 2-liner at the wing tips, a 3-liner in the centre. This means this “2.5-liner” does not have a C3-line. Reduced line metres means less drag. Thanks to the two line areas at the wing tip, during acceleration an aerodynamically favourable wing twist is possible. This increases the performance in accelerated flight. The design also enables particularly efficient C-steering.

Flat profile nose. Anyone who tries to fold a piece of paper around a ball will notice that there are always creases. The nose profile of a paraglider is the same - the sail cloth has to adjust to both the profile and ballooning effect (cells are round, not straight). Double 3D Shaping uses additional seams to reduce creasing and therefore increases the performance of the wing.

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.

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 shorten brake travel and normally makes wings more difficult to fly. Nova's analytical tools permit them to build performance wings even with a low or moderate aspect ratio.

Less is more. NOVA's idea of a three-liner with a reduced amount of line length allows them to construct wings with very good performance and a high degree of passive safety. The way NOVA have conceptualised the lines has made it possible to manufacture wings which are collapse resistant; but when they do collapse, the collapsed area is generally less extensive. This significantly improves the wing's extreme flight behaviour.

Light and durable. Paragliders in the Weight-optimised category are lighter than conventional paragliders - but offer the same mechanical stability and durability. These wings are lighter to carry, easier to launch and are therefore suitable for hike & fly. Weight-optimised is aimed at pilots who appreciate light weight without compromising on durability.

Materials

Lines

Flybubble review

"First test and my first impression on the Mentor 7 light and flying with it in good thermic conditions, actually. The B3s on the ground are lot less physical than a lot other B3s. These are quite easy to pull. The Mentor 7 light has three A-lines and no split A. So what looks like the split ear riser, is the B3 line. There, which goes to the B3's, goes to the outer C's. And that's what makes this glider a two and a half liner. And also you'll notice, that the B riser is significantly longer, a good several centimetres longer than the A's or the C's.

In the air, the glider feels very solid and collapse resistant. And it has that kind of solid powerful feeling that two liners have a bit. It does mean that from a feedback point of view, I think it's gonna take a little bit of getting used to. Speed bar was very usable and solid, very very light, and feels very effective. It feels like it pulls a very good amount of speed for a high B glider. Handling and brakes are quite firm. The workable travel is relatively short, but very direct feeling. So some pilots are gonna really like that. I only did big ears with B3 once and are a bit flappy and not particularly stable. But they are light to pull,easy to hold and effective. First impressions is the glider's moderately agile, but you can turn it perfectly well enough. Cuts through the air and just bites into the thermals. Well, yeah, the sink rate and the climb seemed very good. I think it's gonna take me a little time to get used to this glider 'cause it has got quite a different feel about it. That difference of the line layout is giving the glider different feel to it. The BC system feels very efficient, light and usable. Better than most Bc system so far."

— Carlo Borsattino, Flybubble

Watch the Flybubble first impression video review:

Other reviews

"The Mentor 7 Light earned our trust over many flights in difficult conditions. Being so easy to fly, it saves the pilot a lot of energy, making long XC flights less exhausting and thus safer. The technology sounds impressive and during a first demo flight you might be intimidated. But it is really a benign high-B glider, especially for the performance it provides on full bar. A big plus is the handling: it has all the advantages of easier handling of a lighter wing, but none of the disadvantages such as a delicate build or jumpy behaviour. Nova have announced a full-fat version will arrive later. The only difference will be heavier, abrasion-resistant fabric for use on less forgiving launches than grassy hills. Other than that, we really don't know what one could possibly want different in a full-fat Mentor 7."

— Cross Country Magazine, issue 233 (pdf)

"I had a clear advantage when gliding fast in rough air. The outstanding performance of the MENTOR 7 Light allowed me to win both tasks. This glider will set new XC records."

— Ferdi Vogel, winner of the Zillertal Battle 2022 with the MENTOR 7 Light

FAQ

How does the C-steering work?

The so-called HAC handles (Height Adjustable C-Handles) are mounted on the C-risers. These permit a more efficient pitch control, usually only possible on two-liners. The effort required to apply them is so minimal, that even after a long flight they never cause fatigue. In accelerated flight, the HAC handles can be used to increase the angle of attack more quickly and sensitively than would be possible by releasing the speed bar. Additionally, asymmetrical corrections are possible, e.g. for a change of direction. In the end, the C-steering means it is possible to fly faster, more efficiently and in a more relaxed manner. At trim speed, if the HAC handles are pulled down about 20 cm, a stall occurs, but the pilot will know this in advance through pulsating feedback on the handles. Well before the stall, performance is noticeably reduced. It is therefore not advisable to permanently slow down the MENTOR 7 Light below trim speed.

Do I have to use the C-steering?

No. You can even remove the HAC-Handles. The C-steering is an additional option to compensate for pitching movements of the glider - especially in accelerated flight. When used correctly, they ensure efficient flight in turbulent air.

How does the B3 stall work?

Instead of pulling down the outermost A-lines (like you do when applying big ears), the B3 lines are pulled down quickly and symmetrically about 40-50 cm to induce the B3 stall. As a result the outer wing folds to the rear. The brake handle remains in the hand without a wrap. The maneuver is stable and there is no flapping of the collapsed wing sections. The pressure to hold the B3 stall is minimal. To return to normal flight, release the B3 lines symmetrically. The wing will open without delay. If applying big ears, Nova recommends accelerating the wing at least 25%. By the way… as with big ears, the middle of the wing does not deform during the B3 stall. Therefore, the wing remains in forward flight.

Why do Nova recommend using the B3 stall instead of big ears for the MENTOR 7 Light?

The B3 stall offers more stability with a higher sink rate. Classic big ears also work, but are less comfortable due to the non-split A-risers.

Is the MENTOR 7 (Light) more difficult to fly than the MENTOR 6 (Light)?

No, the MENTOR 7 Light remains true to the principle of all paragliders in the MENTOR series, which means they are positioned at the top of the EN B class. The MENTOR 7 Light incorporates a great deal of design knowledge gained from the construction of the XENON (EN/LTF D) - but with the clear objective that the demands on the pilot are no higher than those of the MENTOR 6. The hybrid 2.5-liner design alone does not increase the demand; the reaction to collapses is even somewhat milder than before. The MENTOR 7 Lights’s aspect ratio of 5.5, which is moderate in the high-end EN B classification, helps to ensure that the demands on the pilot are not too high. Please note: we recommend checking the manual to learn more about the typical characteristics of 2-liners (C-steering, ground handling, descent techniques).

How can I take full advantage of the speed-bar travel of the MENTOR 7 Light?

The MENTOR 7 Light has a large speed-range and therefore long speed-bar travel. Depending on the size of the glider, and especially on the harness, it may not be possible to use the full speed-bar travel, as the Brummel hooks are "blocked" by the pulley of the harness before the full speed-bar travel is reached. There are several possibilities for optimisation: one option is to convert the speed system using speed-bar beads. The conversion kit (Speed System Cords) is included in the scope of delivery and instructions can be found in the manual. Alternatively, the harness can be attached without a Brummel hook by means of a clove hitch/lark’s foot or the harness and paraglider can be connected with a continuous cord. However, the latter will only work for pilots who do not disconnect their harness from their wing. If help is required during the conversion, you NOVA dealer will be happy to assist.

What is the best way to pack the MENTOR 7 Light?

We recommend folding the MENTOR 7 Light cell to cell and then placing the NOVA Pack Roll in the crease near the leading edge. The idea behind the Pack Roll is that this crease will be less pronounced, which protects the rods. NOVA Concertina Bag Light is perfect for the job and facilitates a smaller packing volume.

Why is the maximum take-off weight of the MENTOR 7 Light 5 kg higher than its predecessors?

The MENTOR 7 Light climbs well even when flown at the higher end of the weight range. Therefore, after intensive flight tests, NOVA have extended their usual weight ranges for sizes XXS, XS, S and M upwards by 5 kg. On epic days, this can be used to fly a high average speed.

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Downloads

• Presentation
• Manual
• Line plan