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The Concept
A logical evolution: Improve the performance in all respects, while retaining the Mantra Series trademarks – True Overall Performance: agile handling and ease of use.
New Features
Although the M3 is purely an evolution of the M2, a total optimization of the core factors has created a very significant step forward in performance.
Aspect Ratio Increased: With the advent of improved airfoil technology, we were able to increase the AR without compromising performance. At this time, we do not think it is possible to increase the AR further without sacrificing safety, sail homogeneity, the compact feel, and great handling. The increased AR means greater performance in sink rate and climb.
More cells: A result of the increased AR, necessary to maintain cell proportion for a clean sail and a cohesive feel in the wing.
A special diagonal rib arrangement from the Mantra R research series has allowed the addition of these 4 cells without the addition of lines.
HPP Research: has lead to the discovery of a new profile, now on the M3. This profile has yielded extraordinary glide performance for the class, increased pitch stability, lighter brake pressure, and forgiving at higher angles of attack.
Tab Positioning: To match the new airfoil and also to prevent chordwise deformation, for a smoother feel in turbulence.
Trailing Edge: Partial ribs have been added to reduce drag by improving airflow across the TE. A new brake attachment has increased the efficiency of the flap while brakes are applied.
Line Diagram: Now optimized for an 11% line drag reduction.
Overall Efficiency: Has allowed us to reduce the size by 0.5m2, for better handling, and higher speeds throughout the range.
New Risers: Narrower webbing material and the super smooth Ronstan Pulleys.
Slightly thicker profile: For pitch stability and a better climb rate.Higher aspect: but with less line than the M2, meaning less drag and higher efficiency.New Arc: The arc has been refined even further for a more balanced feel while climbing.
New Braking System: Allows the pilot to brake different parts of the wing: choose which part of the trailing edge to influence more; brake the tip for a tighter turn, or less for a flatter more efficient turn in light lift. Fine tune your turn to match the conditions.
New Skinny risers: Another result of our quest for ultimate efficiency.
Mini ribs: Partial ribs allow for a cleaner sail without excess weight, creating an advanced blend of handling agility and glide performance.
New Shrink Rings on TE: Brake lines are routed through shrink rings in a few crucial areas of the TE, for a more efficient TE shape in turns.
Specifications
Sizes
| S | M | L |
| No of Cells |
63
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63
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63
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| Area Proj. (m2) |
20.43
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22.13
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24.26
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| Area Flat (m2) |
24.00
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26.00
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28.50
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| Span Proj. (m) |
9.86
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10.39
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10.75
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| Span Flat (m) |
12.49
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13.00
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13.61
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| AR Proj. |
4.76
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4.76
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4.76
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| AR Flat |
6.5
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6.5
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6.5
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| Root Chord |
2.43
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2.51
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2.65
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| In flight weight Range* |
67.87
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82-102
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97-117
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| Glider Weight |
5.8
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6.0
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6.2
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| LTF |
2-3
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2-3
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2-3
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| EN |
D
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D
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D
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Materials
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Top Surface Cloth Skytex 45 Evolution
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Bottom Surface Cloth Skytex 40 Classic
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Rib cloth Skytex 40 Hard
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Upper lines Liros DC60
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Lower Lines Edelrid 8000-230UV
Colours
Download Colour Chart
Reviews
Pat Dower’s M3 thoughts May 2nd 2009, UK:
My first XC on the M3. Actually a really good flight for getting to know the glider, as there were 3 distinct phases. Around the take-off ridge and for the first 20km conditions were broken and choppy; the middle part of the flight was in better organised moderately strong thermals; the later stages were in weakening conditions as the sky was shut down by strato-cu.
In the broken stuff the glider was very good. Solid, climbing well, lots of feedback but not much noise and no collapses. I wasn’t super relaxed, but no one I chatted to afterwards was!
In the good middle part of the flight the glider was fab. I was really satisfied with the agility. I was able to tighten up on the cores just fine. I was trying the technique of pulling the brake across my body, which brakes the wing tip more than if you pull down with the handle outside of the riser. There is a bit more turn and bank, but I am still getting used to this feature.
When searching for the last dregs of lift I did notice the glider pulling me towards lift and the turn was really flat when I needed it.
Hard to be definitive on comparative performance on glide as the only close glide I had was against a Trango 3. Trim on the M3 was significantly faster. The air was pretty active but I appeared to have a noticeably better best glide, over a 1 minute glide.
After landing, I realised that for the second half of the flight I hardly thought about the glider, except for thinking “wow, this is good”
I am definitely really impressed and very happy!
The next big test will be in my first competition of the year.
Downloads
Manual
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