Airwave Alpine (PAST MODEL)

Technical data

Airwave Alpine: go light

The first time you pick up an Alpine your imagination erupts. It's a new found freedom, as if a huge weight's been lifted off your shoulders. Suddenly you can hike effortlessly around without the cumbersome, limitations of your twenty kilogram backpack dragging you down. If only going flying was always like this. Your entire flying kit weighing less than five kilos - once you get used to that there's no going back.

Ultra-weight gliders aren't just for descents nowadays. Fabric technology and paraglider design has advanced so much that, despite its feather-weight looks, the Alpine is a fully functioning, soarable paraglider capable of cross country flight.

If you are looking for a flying machine that fits in a child's school bag, weighs the same as your reserve, and can still carry you on fantastic journeys, you owe yourself a test flight on an Alpine.

Design notes

The standard Alpine is based on our new beginner wing, the DHV 1 Gecko: the two designs share the same sail, line configuration and certification.

To create the Alpine we took the Gecko and analyzed every detail to reduce its weight. The sail was changed from 39 g/m_ with a 45 g/m_ leading edge, to 27 g/m_ with a 35 g/m_ leading edge, the Mylar edging tape has been changed to a lighter nylon tape, the line attachments have lighter weight reinforcing, the risers change to super lightweight Dyneema webbing and the removable speed system has been redesigned to be effective, yet light-weight. On the Alpine even the seams are sewn differently to reduce weight. The Alpine weighs 3.2 Kg in the S size, 3.5 Kg in the M and 3.9 Kg in the L. If the Alpine isn't lightweight enough for you then you need the Alpine Extreme. Designed as an ultra-lightweight glider the Extreme is only 17.5 m_ (flat) and is both fast and manoeuvrable. It can be used as either a lightweight for small pilots, or as a mini glider for when the wind's too strong to fly your normal wing.

The Alpine Extreme is a one off design without certification. If it were to be certified we believe it would be a low end DHV 1-2. The Alpine Extreme weighs in at a super lightweight 2.7 Kg.

Alpine Extreme: go even lighter

This is a very small and lightweight all purpose glider. Designed as a small, fun and safe glider of just 17.5sq meters, this wing is both fast and stable. Launch is very easy in everything from nil wind to very strong winds. Landing in no wind is fast but as the glider slows up nicely on the brakes it is possible to make a nice landing even in nil wind.

With a trim speed of 43km/h with a total flying weight of 90kg, the 'Alpine Extreme' will easily penetrate in a strong wind when most other paragliders have to stay on the ground. Top speed with speed bar is 55km/h. The minimum sink rate with an all up weight of 60kg is around 1m/sec. With a flying weight of 90kg minimum sink is around 1.6m/sec. Best glide is between 7 and 8 depending on wing loading.

Possible uses of this wing:

1. Lightweight glider for mountain walking/flying where the glider weight is of prime importance.
2. A 'mini-glider' for soaring in strong winds.
3. As a small glider for lightweight pilots.

The wing can also be flown by small pilots of weight as low as 35kg and the design target for safety and stability, is as a lowend 1-2 class glider, though if you fly this wing heavy the reactions will of course be much more dynamic than a 1-2 wing.

Total weight of the wing is just 2.7kg.

Colours

Colour schemes: Storm, Austry

Downloads

• Manual
• Test report
• Layout plan
• Line lengths