Infinity and beyond!

Antoine Montant is captured performing the first infinity to ejection, on board his Gradient Seven, Totally sick, but ultimately wicked, enjoy the spectacle.

Infinity Drop - Première mondiale

XC3 First Flight

One of the first xc3's to arrive turned up on my doorstep on Thursday, though It wasn't until Saturday that I could get it out of the bag, and even then it was very much on the windy side and had reservations about whether to fly or not.
However, I have been eagerly waiting to get my hands on this wing ever since the first protos were being talked about.
What I can say, well this is a neatly constructed wing with great attention to the detail, this was immediately noticed by the two pilots with me, which also included a founding partner for another PG manufacturer.
Considering it was a top end day, this wing is a real pussycat at ground handling, it comes up with only a light pull and is very easily controlled. the next thing that struck was the lightness on the brakes and the responsiveness to my inputs is just superb.
There were reservations about taking to the air on such a top end day and on a site which can be unpleasant to say the least when its also a bit off, but playing with the wing on the ground gave me so much interest to see what its like in the air, I had to give it a go so cautiously I allowed myself to take to the air.

Immediate impression, Oh this is good! and certainly nothing like as demanding to fly as my other wings. - A real confidence boost that I was under a very sorted design. Now the day was difficult to gauge speed and to be honest there were times I was simply parked, but as height was gained it became clear that this is a very solid wing, even though I was on the lighter end of the weight range 114(I'm guessing) on the size 30. Speed bar is lighter to push than my Avax SR8 and its effect is immediate. In turns it is nimble needing less adjustments to the outside than what I have been used to, though this may have been more about the day. It certainly felt that I was able to hook the climbs a lot easier under this wing.

It short this wing gives confidence, I was definitely with a wing that was not on the edge of giving one more excitement than required.

I was unable to compare glides etc as the others were unable to take off due to the gusty and unpredictable wind. Now I know i was lucky in choosing my take off slot but once in the air this wing was giving everything I wanted to feel assured that I hadn't just made a big mistake.

Cannot wait till this front clears today and I can get back on it hopefully with others on Monday.
My overall impression was -Why oh why, have I been flying so long on wings where you really had to keep on top of them at times when here I could simply enjoy the great experience of xc.

If you are planning to change wings this year foro something with EN D performance this wing seriously needs to be on your short list.

Swallows and Swifts are back!

While trying to get a quick flight in yesterday - I noticed the return of the first Swallows and Swifts of this year. These are great thermal markers as they go about catching insects in the rising air. Now these birds are back, it's truly open xc season once more.

Our New Avax is now ready

Received news today that the AvaxXC3 has attained its predicted EN D certification (size 28) and that sizes 24, 26, and 30 are ready for certification as well.

Certification in progress for AVAX XC3

The certification process has now begun for Gradient's new high performance glider the AVAX XC3 . We have been told The tests are going-to-plan and we should expect production to begin with sizes 28 and 26 asap in April with other sizes to follow.
We have heard on good authority that the Avax XC3 is a 3 liner, and includes rigifoil, and makes use of the 'Gibus arc' on the rib at the height of the B, it also makes use a the new diagonals as first seen in the Aspen 3, and has an aspect ratioof 6.8. Overall handlling quite similar to XC2, theough even more agile This Italian Importer who was there at Bassano during final tests states this is very 'nice'! He states the leading edge gives the impression of great solidity. The ppeed system uses 2 pulleys, it is not an effort to apply and the wing speeds up a lot just touching it lightly. Speed increase is considerable.
Ondej Dupal is happy with the result; he said the leading edge is very stable and he tested the wing up to 68 km/h (though this won't be the final trimming for certification). He states that for Gradient this is an innovative wing with big performances and is very nice to fly.

To whet your appetite for the Golden 3

This short video was taken on the beautiful Island of Madeira. See in action the latest intermediate glider from Gradient. - Golden 3

Enjoy!

Lighten up for 2010 with the Ava Sport Tanto

The all new AVA Sport harness -TANTO has been designed for the cross country pilot who is conscious about pack weight yet does not want to compromise on comfort or performance. The New TANTO is packed with many new features and innovations which aid to a very simple and functional design.
Firstly the new harness belt system makes the regulation of the whole unit very easy and simple to use.
Secondly there is a new design and construction method for the reserve parachute container, which provides a very sleek storage solution, yet offers a very quick deployment, should it be required.
The TANTO has 17cm back protection, but unlike other products on the market, The TANTO harness will integrate a new generation of protector, which aims to put an end to the heavier foam and voluminous 'Cygnus' protectors currently in use. Made entirely of a (dare I say, rather secret) new high quality material, which is being manufactured using the latest technology within the textile industry. Using this revolutionary new material AVA Sport Design and Manufacturing teams are working hard on a new weight record for this type harness 4,5-4,8 kg. This will place the TANTO in a new class of cross country harness for all Pilots wanting to minimise yet not compromise!

We are expecting full certification of this new harness around mid March. The harness comes in 5 sizes and with three different colour options. It is currently available (by special order) at an amazing weight of only 5.2 kg with the standard foam back protector, The retail price £735 includes postage.

Ava have also informed us that they are also going to produce this harness in an eye catching material which resembles the weave of carbon. It seems carbon will continue to be the talk on launch for 2010 Call for details.