The next generation of the legend has arrived - The Aspen5

The eagerly anticipated Aspen 5 has just arrived this evening - What better excuse is there to head for the hills tomorrow and take it for a test fly.

Aspen 5 is coming - Our sources say it should be ready by Mid April

Gradient XC4 trials

I've been lucky enough to get a couple of test flights and to see first-hand how the XC4 is shaping up. Unfortunately the weather hasn't exactly played ball, but I did manage to get a couple of flights on it. So what can I tell you?

Well if the proto stays anything like the final release, it will be a dream to launch, In-fact I haven't launched a more easy '2 liner' than this before and after a little practice I could launch the wing in almost any configuration making it very easy to slope land and restart. Ground handling was effortless and so responsive to my inputs, giving the pilot complete mastery over the wing. This proto had trimmers, but even set at a faster trim it was still very manageable.

Once your feet are off the ground you recognise you are on a true thoroughbred and it certainly wants to travel, yet it is very nimble to the touch, making me want to throw it about and simply enjoy the responsiveness of the wing. - Which has been a lot a fun, however this is also a serious xc machine and when you enter a thermal it bites into the air and with a bit of weight-shift and a bit of brake you enter a very efficient climbing circle. - Thermaling is a real delight. The XC3 was once described to me as like flying on rails. This is the similar but much better.

The most noticeable real performance improvement for me was when I flew into a head wind. The experience with this wing was very reminiscent of what I first saw the R10 doing compared to other open class wings of the time, in that this proto was able to climb as it pushed forward - In a way that I got to heights and out over places on my local sites that I wouldn't have been able to do previously for the conditions.  This is what was so impressive as neither of these days where very remarkable in terms of great flying conditions. With this glider I was simply able to explore more and still manage to get back with ease. Making me really want to get out on a good day with it - but that wasn't to be.

Yes there is a fair bit of movement in the wing ( But this is still at the prototype stage)and at first I was wary but the leading edge remained very solid and simply using the B risers to maintain authority over the wing, these movements were stopped and any buoyancy in the air could be fully exploited. It does need to be actively piloted, but not in the busy way which some of my old open class wings required.

Sometimes wings are replaced with only a few improvement tweaks but this with felt a whole lot better than anything I had previously flown from Gradient.

I felt that this proto was very close to being a finished product and must admit to being very reluctant to be have to send it back, but there are a couple of tweaks required but this is mainly around riser settings.

AvaSport Eiger lightweight harness (notice of a serious tear during a high G flight)

As published on the PGforum a forum member experienced a potentially serious incident when using a lightweight Eiger harness.

This model's design and purpose is to offer an ultra lightweight and simplified harness for comfortable mountain descents when using a paraglider. It is not known how old the harness in question is, or in fact how many times the pilot has performed these types of dynamic actions; but he does state doing wingovers is a lot of fun. So we are deducing that this type of action has probably been performed using this model more than a few times.

This model of harness was never designed with the intention that users perform high G and dynamic manoeuvres with it and as such we strongly recommend that pilots with this and other types of minimalist harnesses refrain from performing such manoeuvres which take the harness design outside of its intended use.

 

We strongly recommend conducting regular checks on all your flying equipment (including your harness) paying particular attention to stitching and main structural attachment points.

Preview of the all new Digifly - Air -

Digifly AIR - The new integrated instrument with high resolution display. Its shape is optimised to the maximum strength; the display offers the best visibility also in bright-light conditions and has four big operative keys ensures the best accessibility even when wearing big gloves.

The Digifly AIR will be  sold as a single full function version, with  two optional choices:

1) hang gliding pilots can ask for the installation of the optional pitot tube

2) whoever, can ask for the installation of the optional GSM-GPRS module needed for the internal Live Tracking, although this is not essential, as the Digifly AIR is equipped with a 4th generation Bluetooth processor able to communicate with every current mobile device, e.g. a smartphone on which you can install, for free, the Live Tracking app: XC Soar.

 The AIR is entirely designed, engineered and manufactured in Italy; it uses state of the art processors and sensors, including: a 99-channel anti jam GPS unit updated 10 times per second. The Air features a new inertial platform that provides an even more accurate evaluation of the wind’s direction, improves the sensitivity of the variometer, acts as a G meter for acro pilots and allows to get more precise information from the magnetic compass even at high bank angles of the wing.

The AIR has a high-visibility display grayscale, with a new design that facilitates visualisation and management of tasks in 5D.  The “5D” (Digifly trade mark), is based on an ingenious graphic design and comes from the merger of 2D and 3D visualisations, allowing the pilot to check at a glance the needed glide ratio and best ‘goto’ glide during the task; but, this new graphic design will also help the non-competitors to have an immediate idea of needed glide ratio to reach the nearest safe landing.

The display layout is fully customizable also thru PC-Mac simply 'drag and dropping' the preferred functions, or even transferring them from a micro SD card or via Bluetooth from AIR to AIR.

The fast, efficient and full optional AIR’s software, comes from the Digifly’s know-how gained during years of competition’s support. It is designed in distinct blocks that facilitates to set the instrument, entering waypoints and setting task.

The high resolution display, the wide internal memory space and the surplus of computing capability, will allow to listen and to put into practice all the tips that will come from its users, and as like as for all the Digifly’s instruments, every one of the future firmware updates will provide to the AIR’s pilots a totally “for free” perfectly tuned “AIR-tool”.

 

Golden4 from Gradient ready for production

The all new Golden4 is the latest Gradient creation. The wing is a natural follow-up model  to the most successful Gradient model series ever, the Golden series. The result is pure style, with an aerodynamic design and an incomparable variety of uses, the Golden4 has the ingredients and design innovation to meet the demands of all kinds of pilots.

 

The agility, lift, performance and speed of the Golden4 are backed up by strong passive safety characteristics. Combined with Gradient’s typical sensitive handling and immediate feedback, means pilots fly relaxed and quickly harmonise with the wing, enabling them to fly to their potential.

 

It makes the Golden4 a truly reliable partner. Flying becomes intuitive, leaving your mind free to concentrate on making good decisions about your flight.

 

Flying the Golden4 starts with the typical, easy take-off characteristics Gradient pilots all over the world appreciate.  Continuing with the well proved DDsystem allows the development team to prepare  a very safe and stable glider with very interesting performance potential.

 

The Golden4 thermals with a flat turn, even when flying small circles. The wing reacts immediately to weight shifting and has precise brakes for sporty handling. It's well-balanced wing dynamics and a defined stall point gives this intermediate glider freestyle qualities. The glider also behaves in a calm and predictable way in extreme situations, leaving you confident of your safety while you regain normal flight – no matter if it was you or turbulence that caused the trouble. 

The Golden4 utilises the special double-coated skytex cloth EVERLAST which was developed in partnership with Porcher Sort and Gradient. The target was to develop a very durable paragliding cloth that keeps its shape and stability in all directions, including radial and diagonal strength. Gradient intensively tested EVERLAST on the Nevada and Golden4 prototypes for eight months. These gliders were used by expeditions in very difficult weather and flying conditions with excellent results. We are now extremely proud to be able to bring this material exclusively to Gradient customers. The new Golden4 is the first glider to use EVERLAST along the leading edge, after which EVERLAST will be used in the development of all new Gradient gliders.

 

 

 

 

We are expecting delivering of the first models into the UK by the end of this month and we are offering a special discount on any advanced sales. We are confident that the Golden4 is another pilots classic.

Gradient Golden 4 - A sneaky preview

 We have just recieved a couple of photos of the  new Golden 4 from Gradient -

More information to follow:-

Gradient Nevada Light

Gradient's new Intermediate Nevada (EN B) is now available as a light version. With a special combination of carefully selected materials the glider weight has been reduced by 1 kg down to 4700 grams (size 28). The Nevada Light will be available in sizes 22, 24, 26 and 28.

Another advantage of this glider is the packing volume, which is reduced substantially. With the new Nevada Light Gradient offers a wing for pilots who don't want to compromise  EN B performance, speed and climb, but additionally need lowest packing volume and lowest possible glider weight. This combination makes the Nevada light a wing for hikers, mountaineers and travellers who'd like to top their adventures with thermaling and XC flying.

Due to the special light material with Gradient exclusive double coating ( 32g/m2 EVERLAST) for leading edge Nevada light will be available in one RED colour combination exclusively, as per the photo.

Offering an Artik2 Size 25 for sale. It has only 32hrs since new ( bought Sept 2011) In excellent clean condition no repairs or rough treatment at all. Colour Sunset (or orange in non Niviuk speak).

This wing comes to me, as an very good condition trade in glider. It has been well looked after and has not be flown a great deal at all.

Priced to sell £975

Ava Sport

Ava Sport have recently overhauled their website and  it looks and works a lot better now. They have also improved their back office systems so we are all go with Ava this year after some difficulties during 2012.

Here is a quick look at some new models for this year

The New RACER

This new, light and very comfortable intermediate harness is the successor to the very popular sprinter model.

 The RACER sports a newly designed seat board which incorporats into  a back former to maintain its sleek aerodynamic shape; An elevated position of the reserve handle and new reserve container for even  easier use of operation should you ever need.

 

The RACER is also available in two options with and without  leg cover and we are very impressed with its reported weight – about 3.9 kg for L size without legcover or 4,9 kg for same size with cover.

weight is without karabiners and rescue parachute

 Colour options

 

  

The TANTO RACE

Although this was available in 2012 we thought with the new proposals for CIVL competitions wanting to make it mandatory to have two reserves  that this Harness, the Tanto Race would interest performance-oriented pilots requiring a harness with the security of a twin reserve  system.

Like the older Katana model the neoprene skin of this harness covers the entire upperbody and back ensuring a cosy snug fit for perfect aerodynamics with optimised trailing edge.
The Tanto Race has 2 rescue containers (left & right), and is now certified. The size Large is about 6,5 kg which is fantastic considering all the extra material used to seal the gaps between pilot and harness.


What ever your harness needs  we are confident that amongst the AvaSport range is a harness which fits your needs perfectly.

Richard Westgate

It is with great sadness that I write this post about the passing of a friend a team mate and a true xc legend. Richard Westgate lost his battle to regain his health on the 12-12-12. Richard was an exceptional pilot and an inspiration to many. He was also an influential part of the UK Gradient Team, Multi UK XC Champion and former World record holder. He was passionate about the sport and very encouraging to others entering the sport. He will be sorely missed by many but will live on in our memories as a generous and genuine man and a true cross country legend. R.I.P. my friend.

Aspen 4 - A short flight test

Finally got the opportunity to have a go on one of our own demos - Ok it wasn't the correct size but I just had to have a go.
So off to my local site for an afternoon boat about. My first impressions was it wasn't unpredictable or maybe as nimble on the launch as I'm use to but there was certainly no tendency to want to overshoot making it a very simple wing to get up and go.

In the air it was certainly nimble and after effortlessly gaining height on the dynamic ridge lift it was time to see what it was like in the air. Spin point is easy enough to find but you had to go deep to get to it . This gave me the confidence that my customers are unlikely to encounter it by accident. The leading edge feels very solid but I did let it front tuck once to see how it reacted and recovered. It was reassuringly predictable giving plenty of warning and was fast to recovery though being over the weight here may have changed the feel so won't say any more. In wingovers it was easy to get smooth high amplitude wingovers without feeling you were on the edge. A real pleasure and very hard not to spend the whole flight doing just that.

I was now joined by three other pilots - so an opportunity to compare. though knowing i was overweight on the wing I wasn't expecting to sit on the top of the stack. How wrong was I the Aspen 4 drifted effortlessly to the top without any particular effort, with my reward being more wingovers and asymmetric spirals. It was becoming addictive. Condition did shut down for a time and it wasn't long before we were at ridge height or below and slowly the others were forced to bottom land while the aspen 4 was able to maximises and opportunities for lift - I held out for a further 20 mins after the last had conceded before conditions resumed normal service again and it wasn't long before I was toping out and my previous altitude gains. - Time to fly home. The speed bar is smooth and progressive with only a noticeable drop in glide after 3/4bar. This should be a very good mile muncher for the xc pilot and although it hasn't quite got the range on the xc3 is pretty close. Edit. While managing Team GB at the recent European Championships I would often hear reports from the team in disbelief that the Aspen 4 pilot was often in the mix and was not being dropped by the gaggle that easily. My conclusion is the Aspen 4 is very much a player in the new generation EN -C and a real pleasure to be on board with.

Gradient reserve -GRP1

For those that might not be in the know Gradient have been working on designing their own reserve - The GRP1 is now a reality.See link for details.

Gradient Nevada EN - B

Here is a short tube from Team Freestyle demonstrating the simple delights of Gradient New EN -B wing the Nevada. Demo wings are now in the country. Call to arrange a test fly and explore the invisible.

Team Freestyle in UK

We have just received confirmation  from the organisers of this years Lakes Charity Classic / Buttermere Bash events, that they have  booked the Gradient Freestyle Team (former Renegades) to absolutely Rock the skies above the Buttermere valley during the this years Lakes Charity Classic.

This is a ticket only event so make sure you book yours now ( see Lakes Charity Classic link for more info).

My XC3 For Sale

Well you would think I would be pleased with losing some weight - and I suppose I am however it means sadly I am no longer within the range of my trusty XC3 so reluctantly I am putting it up for sale.


I am not an hour counter but it has 18 months use it has not be abused through acro, or flying at the coast and has always been concertina folded. I will add some photos when it stops blowing a gale here but it is in good condition and will serve its new owner for a couple more seasons yet. I will include two new stab' lines as my hand position while flying means  my brake line rubs the bottom of the stabs' otherwise very good condition.

£1200 free postage in the Uk everywhere else at cost

Aspen 4 review By Ziad Bassil

For those that look into the 'Pg forum' site they will be quite familiar with "Zen" objective wings reviews. I have just read his latest review, this time for the Aspen 4 and feel compelled to repost it here for pilots information.

GRADIENT Aspen 4  (link for Flight test report - size 26)

When GRADIENT first released the Aspen 4 ,with minimum line configuration ,my eyes opened wide, and I was concerned about the stability and how they could manage that. The first Aspen 1 was fast, quite alive but it had a very nice crispy handling.

Now I have in my hands the Aspen 4 to fly. Here’s what I found:

Launching this glider in nil wind requires a gentle but steady pull for the first 80 % .The Launching is a non-event.

Immediately after take off the feeling of security and comfort is present .It is like you are riding exactly in a big smooth American car.

The Aspen 4 flown at 100 all up in turbulent conditions showed a very homogenous character. Strangely, I could see the risers moving, but I was not feeling strongly the roll movements. It is indeed a new sensation for me! It is like the carabineers are working like shock absorbers, but actually it is the internal structure of the wing that is doing all the hard work. Gradient's DD system 1
What struck me also is that when conditions were shaky and turbulent inside an inversion and when I was finding it a bit hard to turn some agile gliders inside 'spaghetti thermal's ☺, the Aspen 4 was still very maneuverable and could be placed whenever I wanted regardless of the conditions.

It is one of the strongest points of the Aspen 4!

After some glides with some new “C’s”, I can confirm that the Aspen 4 is among the top performers. To talk about pure performance is always hard, but the Aspen 4 has a very usable one. The accelerator is soft and very easy to pull. Second bar has an impressive glide among the best, with a high stability and is user friendly.

I flew the glider in some weak and strong thermals, next to some “C’s” to conclude that the glider is not reluctant to any thermal. In fact it slides comfortably in, and climbs without delay.

Big ears are “BIG” because of only two lines on the “A’s” Using the second bar with big ears is very efficient with decent rates over -5m/s, depending on how much lines you pull.

Conclusion:

GRADIENT have now a new hidden weapon inside those Aspens, with this efficient 'DD' internal structure.

Pilots moving from high-end “B’s” to the “C” category will immediately feel at home under the Aspen 4.

My opinion about that glider is very positive because it has everything without the lacking anything. As I stated before, performance alone cannot make a good glider. On board of the Aspen 4 a pilot can have a very good glide, a very competitive climb, superb handling, a comfortable ride, and with big ears as a very efficient descent method.

It has everything to make a pilot smile after a long XC flight.

Cheers,

Ziad.

1
Gradient's Double Diagonal System (DDsystem) was developed especially for the Aspen4 and is the heart of this model. (with equililent systems now being added to the Nevada our new EN B Wing). It provides a stable profile and the best possible tension in the upper sail, the lower sail and the leading edge. A carefully chosen combination of different materials has been carefully selected to work with the DD system. The result is wingswith exceptional balance. Reinforcement is used where needed, including the leading edge which is strengthened with nylon rods. Uniquely shaped rib reinforcements further optimise the wingloading across the canopy: a big advantage in case of collapses.

New EN B wing in development from Gradient

Gradient are busy preparing a new glider within its range. The Nevada is being positioned between the Golden3 and  the new season release Aspen4.  Gradient state that they are already at the stage of final testing. With the local weather getting better every day they are able to complete their final pre certification test flights in the real thermic conditions.  Feedback from these test are very positive  both in   thermic and  dynamic soaring flight, with very easy flying characteristics as expected of an planned EN B wing but also with a good high performance potential  gained through the use of the new Aspen 4 technology and the perfomance increasing DDsystem.

Gradient would like to be ready with sizes 24,26 and 28 in time for the  European spring, with the size 28 being nearly ready for EN B certification now.  We look forward to providing more information soon.

Aspen 4 online review

The new Aspen4 size 28 & 26 has arrrived at the Uk importers and the 24 will follow by mid feb.
The final testing was done in the South African Karoo and the test team reports that Gradient have exceeded their targets for this new Aspen. The innovative DD (double diagonal) system massively reduces line drag bringing a big gain in performance.  Test pilots comment that it is easier to fly than the Aspen3 and that the glider can make very nice flat turns in weaker conditions while still being easy to handle in the strong thermals. We can't wait to have a go!
  
And will review it here once we get a reasonable  spell of weather.


In the mean time here is some pilot feedback about the wing I don't know the pilot but have a link to direct you to his review this from the Pg forum thread
http://www.paraglidingforum.com/search.php?search_id=bestposts&return_chars=-1&topic=37410&quality=3

Some amazing footage deep within 7000-8000 metre territory

Two Aspen3s, 2 days, 285 km, 7045 m. Karimabad to K2 and back

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150390822251158&set=vb.51701827326&type=2&theater

Sorry you will need to copy and paste the link