He's a man with a mission!

If you are a regular observer to the UK Paragliding XC league you cannot fail to have noticed the Scottish Borders Pilot - Dave Thomson.

He is frequently out scouting the skies in search of that early season winter/spring thermal and as a result he's a regular contender for the top spot in the early season ‘winter league’ competition. Having finished within the top 3 twice during his time on his trusty (and now very worn out) Aspen; He's since moved on board the Avax XC2, claiming the top spot last year and is looking well placed to do the same again this year.


This is what he has to say about his wing choice.

“I've flown 140 hours and 1200 km of XC, almost all in Britain, on the Avax XC2 since I got it 10 months ago. I certainly felt that I got to know it very quickly, having flown the Aspens for years before that. To fly it actively, it needs much faster and accurately timed responses than the Aspen, but it gives very clear information about what’s needed to keep it level.”

“The weight range suited me great as I went from being at the lower end of the Aspen 26 to middle of the Avax 24 - less weight for fly / walking and it can turn really tightly. The best feature is the auto-pilot - I've no idea how it works but if there's a thermal anywhere near, it indicates very clearly which way it wants to go, and its best to let it go where it wants.”

“Bad points - If you drop the glider into burnt heather, the lines are a nightmare”.

All we can say Dave, is keep your wing flying - you and it are doing great; and should the burnt heather slopes cause you as snag. Give us a call and we will sort you out.

The shape of things to come!

The all new Katana from Ava Sport is a fantastic harness with some great 'wee' innovations. This more streamlined race pod features an integral ‘vest’, which effectively eliminates all those dead pockets of air which other harnesses have, making this harness a real contender for being probably the most comfortable and windproof harnesses on the market. This wrap over 'vest' will ensure maximum body heat is retained, ensuring warmer glides at altitude yet on the ground it is remarkably unrestrictive.

The second 'wee' innovation is through the incorporation of the ‘wrap over’ part of the ‘sock’and 'vest' to secure the instrument deck, providing a very clean, clear and stable platform for all your flight instruments. All this is achieved with the minimum of additional weight, early proto’s where only 200 grams heavier than the ever so popular Samurai which means a weight of 7.5kg which is considerably lighter than the ImpressII. Back protection is a reassuring 17cm foam ‘mousse’ airbag which continues Ava Sports’ tradition of no compromise back protection.

As an introductory offer I am giving a 20% reduction on price till the beginning of May along with all other harnesses from the Ava Sport range. Call us for prices.

Montana

Gradient's latest Lightweight Glider

Introducing the Montana - the light weight glider from GRADIENT, successor of the legendary Delite. Last During 2007, the first prototypes of the new glider were tested in South Africa and Australia. The Montana has 40 cells and, although it uses similar materials to the Delite it is 400 grams lighter. With thinner risers these new gliders are perfect for the exploration of the mountains and other 'off the beaten path' sites and for ideal for travellers looking to reduce weight yet not to compromise on performance.

The Montana is En B /LTF 1/2 rated and comes in 4 sizes (24 m ², 26m ² 28m ² and 30m²) with a weight range from 58 kg to 125 kg.

Demo's currently available

Currently available (other sizes and models by arrangement)
Wings

Aspen 3 Size 30
Avax XC2 Sizes 28, 24
Golden 2 Size 28 (sold)

Harnesses
Gradient Comet M & L
Ava Sport Samurai L
Ava Sport Tangra 'Cygnus' XL

Instruments
Digifly Leonardo Pro (Back in)

We also have a selection of used equipment and ex demo stock available

Gradient X-lite Harness

Gradient has released a superb light weight reversible harness called X-lite, harness which offers the weight reducing feature of ‘cygnus airbag’ back protection.
Available sizes are S, M and L, colour combination is: red-grey-black. The X-lite is ideal solution for travelling pilots, mountain pilots or fun flyers. Weight of the harness is a very back friendly 2,8 Kg for the medium size.

I am offering this harness as part of a package with Our recently released 'lightweight glider' the Montana. Call for more details quoting ‘mountain flyer package’