Nova PHANTOM (PAST MODEL)

Technical data

Colours

Standard Colours: Racing Green; Rosso Corsa; White Purple

Custom Colours: Choose your colours here then email us the NOVA colour code with your order.

Optional Extras

• Speedbrake Riser

Scope of delivery

• 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 S (110 litres), M (145 litres) and L (165 litres).
• 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.
• 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.
• Manual. We have enclosed a very detailed manual which contains everything you need to know about your paraglider. Please study it before flying your wing for the first time.

PHANTOM – a new era in paragliding

The PHANTOM offers the safety of a basic intermediate with the performance of a top-end wing. This has been made possible through probably the most complex construction ever used in a serial-production wing.

Nova: "The production of the PHANTOM is extremely difficult and producing one PHANTOM takes as much time as producing three ION4s!"

The idea

At NOVA we asked ourselves what a low-end EN B would look like if it was constructed without being restricted by technical complexity. The result is the PHANTOM.

Experience progress

The PHANTOM is a new, completely revolutionary paraglider – with a similar aspect-ratio to the ION and with 99 cells, it combines the safety of the ION series with high-level performance. Exceptional directional stability as well as unique precision and simplicity underpin the excellent handling.

Maximum complexity

With 99 cells, 804 needle-eye ribs and 3200 slots in the profiles and diagonal ribs to reduce weight, the PHANTOM could be the most complex and technically elaborate wing ever made. With more than 3000 individual components, it sets a new benchmark in paraglider construction.

Pleasure without compromise.

The PHANTOM is mainly constructed using 27 gram sail cloth. Combined with the weight-optimised inner construction, the size S wing weighs less than 5 kg. Little weight and low aspect ratio result in maximum safety. Never before has so much performance been so easy to fly.

Requirements

The PHANTOM is a paraglider in a brand-new class and therefore is suitable for a very wide range of pilots. Thanks to its high degree of passive safety and its outstanding performance, it is suitable for ambitious recreational pilots, as well as keen cross-country pilots. The PHANTOM combines the advantages of a low-end EN B wing with the performance of a high-end paraglider.

If you are unsure, your NOVA dealer will be happy to advise on any aspect of the PHANTOM!

Re-defining paragliders

The PHANTOM combines the best of both worlds: the low piloting demands of the ION and the great performance of the TRITON.

Short and compact  

Are wings with many cells difficult to fly?
No, this is a misguided belief. A higher number of cells increases glider weight, but by using lightweight materials and structurally analysed and optimised slots, we could compensate for this additional weight.

But performance wings with many cells are more challenging to fly than EN A gliders with few cells.
Correct, but this is due to the higher aspect ratio, rather than the increased number of cells. There is no direct correlation between the number of cells and how demanding a wing is to fly.

How does a large number of cells increase performance?
The more cells, the smoother the wing – which means less drag. A large number of cells also provides ultimate stability. This helps maintain performance even in turbulent air.

Didn’t NOVA produce a wing called the PHANTOM in the past?
Correct, in 1991. The similarity with the original PHANTOM is the increase in performance which was then, and now, impressive.

The PHANTOM in detail  

Not a gram of unnecessary weight combined with the highest possible technical complexity: up to twelve diagonal strips transfer the load on every line attachment point to its neighbouring profile rib. This allows a homogenous force distribution throughout the wing. Rigorous strength analysis determined the positioning of the slots and these have reduced the weight of the PHANTOM S to less than 5kg, which makes it suitable for hike & fly.

Technology

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.

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.

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.

Light as a feather and robust

Very light but still durable: Light weight NOVA wings weigh little but are still robust enough to withstand the hard conditions of the mountains. The profiles are made out of durable cloth, so that this highly-stressed component does not deform - like it can with ultra-light material. This means we are able to guarantee consistent flying characteristics.

Clever connections

Needle-eye Ribs are innovative ribs which traverse the profile through slots. This results in a more precise shape than is achieved in a conventional four or five piece rib, which is implemented using multiple-piece diagonal ribs, each sewn onto the cell walls. The consequence is a more rigid aerofoil and higher performance.

Materials

Speedbrake Riser

The NOVA Speedbrake Riser is the first three-liner riser which permits the glider to be accelerated as well as decelerated. It brings an end to pulling the C-lines, which killed performance.

We recommend the Speedbrake Riser for cross-country pilots. If you prefer relaxed recreational flying, hill soaring or frequent groundhandling we recommend the standard riser without the Speedbrake strap. 

This NOVA wing can be ordered with Speedbrake Risers for a reduced extra cost. This offer is only valid for new wing purchases which are not yet delivered to the customer. More about Speedbrake Riser.

Motor

According to the DGAC (France), the PHANTOM will be registered for powered flight. The glider is suitable for both free flying and paramotoring. You can find the certification documents in the Downloads section. Especially for powered flight, we have developed a riser with two mounts. It is suitable for two different hook-in heights.

Downloads

• Manual
• Lineplan
• Certification: XS | S | M | L

Nova service info & FAQ

Read Nova service info and answers to FAQ.

Nova Phantom reviews

The Nova Phantom just works so well. Being able to stay with the experienced boys or even above them is great. The Phantom is a B wing that thinks its a D, out-performing many!

Thanks to Nancy Elliott and Carlo Borsattino at Flybubble for super equipment and especially service."

- Mark Jefferies