What many beginner pilots would like to know is how much of a difference does a higher class wing actually make. Without never having tried them, there's no way to know. I changed my wing this summer, from low-B to mid-B. A small step, but I only wanted a bit more floatiness in light conditions and lighter construction for hike&fly. I don't race and don't do record xc, so top speed is not a priority for me. But comfort in rough conditions is.
Anecdotally, photon is very comfortable in rough conditions. Hence if you go for comfort only, 2 liner is not a bad option. Although, downside that if it collapses I can no longer be a passive pilot.
Congrats, Theo you could moderate the interview by urself, you are really prepared and a good talker. But I still don't know how to choose my paragliding wing ;)
I'd be really curious to hear from a certification test pilot. I mean there are now 100s of interviews of competition pilots, adventure pilots, designers, instructors, race directors, etc. I don't think I've ever seen a test pilot, aside from brand test pilots, kinda like Theo for nova. Truly the unsung heroes of our sport^^ . The other ones would be the people doing the controls and repairs on wings. That might also be an interesting interview : )
Jockey Sanderson has a video on his channel, "Testing Paragliders with Alan Zoller". He's a certification tester at Air Turquoise. There's another EN test pilot on that video too I think. They show the guide lines on the wing for testing and where they have to "fold it" in the air to get the "certification collapse". I've had collapse results on SIV way outside of the class of my wing - because I'm not a test pilot!. Russ Ogden is a test pilot for Ozone - lots of videos and interviews around with Russ. Gavin McClurg's Cloudbase Mayhem has interviews with other test pilots too. There's a video from Ozone which came out earlier this year from inside their factory which is worth checking out.
I also was a test pilot for BGD, and I am considering to sit down with Alan Zoller from Air Turquoise and Toni Bender from Nova. Once I find time for it. I also have interview videos with Bruce Goldsmith on this channel who's been testing and designing wings for 30+ years.
@@FlyingKarlis The videos with Bruce are really good. That must have been some experience testing wings! Thanks for all the interview videos - they are a really great source of info - I hope you get many thousands of views. It's hard to get the wing choice right. I went too fast, for too much performance at first. Only now, after 6 SIVs, am I on the right wing. One of my SIV instructors said that most pilots fly a wing one class too hot.
There are a few universal things like next to the ocean you have this large laminar flow with the on shore breeze off shore breeze. In the mountains behind them big giant Stones there are places with too much sink. There must be cubic miles of sinking air behind those mountains. What would be the best wing to land in a place where there was cubic miles of sinking air? Would it be the same as the best wing for ridge soaring on the Coast?
Is there any discussion anywhere about your flying conditions and what's around where you fly to determine for example what kind of aspect ratio wing you need? I just read in the comment somebody said that if you had a two liner you couldn't be a passive pilot anymore. I don't really want to do active flying for a while because I don't want to make an error. Instead of specialization on pilot experience would there be any specialization For flying conditions? I got an epsilon 9 and it's real short and stubby. They have quit making this and I was considering just looking for another one if I wear this one out because I don't want to learn how to fly more stuff I would learn how to fly one thing.
You guys are great!
Glad you think so 😊
Awesome content 👍
Thank you 🙌
What many beginner pilots would like to know is how much of a difference does a higher class wing actually make. Without never having tried them, there's no way to know.
I changed my wing this summer, from low-B to mid-B. A small step, but I only wanted a bit more floatiness in light conditions and lighter construction for hike&fly. I don't race and don't do record xc, so top speed is not a priority for me. But comfort in rough conditions is.
Anecdotally, photon is very comfortable in rough conditions. Hence if you go for comfort only, 2 liner is not a bad option.
Although, downside that if it collapses I can no longer be a passive pilot.
yes i want to switch from mid a to high b and i would like to know if its a good move!
Congrats, Theo you could moderate the interview by urself, you are really prepared and a good talker. But I still don't know how to choose my paragliding wing ;)
I'd be really curious to hear from a certification test pilot. I mean there are now 100s of interviews of competition pilots, adventure pilots, designers, instructors, race directors, etc. I don't think I've ever seen a test pilot, aside from brand test pilots, kinda like Theo for nova. Truly the unsung heroes of our sport^^ . The other ones would be the people doing the controls and repairs on wings. That might also be an interesting interview : )
Jockey Sanderson has a video on his channel, "Testing Paragliders with Alan Zoller". He's a certification tester at Air Turquoise. There's another EN test pilot on that video too I think. They show the guide lines on the wing for testing and where they have to "fold it" in the air to get the "certification collapse". I've had collapse results on SIV way outside of the class of my wing - because I'm not a test pilot!. Russ Ogden is a test pilot for Ozone - lots of videos and interviews around with Russ. Gavin McClurg's Cloudbase Mayhem has interviews with other test pilots too. There's a video from Ozone which came out earlier this year from inside their factory which is worth checking out.
@@7up-weee Thanks ! much appreciated, I'll check those out !
I also was a test pilot for BGD, and I am considering to sit down with Alan Zoller from Air Turquoise and Toni Bender from Nova. Once I find time for it. I also have interview videos with Bruce Goldsmith on this channel who's been testing and designing wings for 30+ years.
@@FlyingKarlis The videos with Bruce are really good.
That must have been some experience testing wings! Thanks for all the interview videos - they are a really great source of info - I hope you get many thousands of views.
It's hard to get the wing choice right. I went too fast, for too much performance at first. Only now, after 6 SIVs, am I on the right wing. One of my SIV instructors said that most pilots fly a wing one class too hot.
There's a video from Air Turquoise called "The Faces of Safety" where they show the certification process and interview test pilots.
great... bravoo
Glad you like it.
There are a few universal things like next to the ocean you have this large laminar flow with the on shore breeze off shore breeze. In the mountains behind them big giant Stones there are places with too much sink. There must be cubic miles of sinking air behind those mountains. What would be the best wing to land in a place where there was cubic miles of sinking air? Would it be the same as the best wing for ridge soaring on the Coast?
Is there any discussion anywhere about your flying conditions and what's around where you fly to determine for example what kind of aspect ratio wing you need? I just read in the comment somebody said that if you had a two liner you couldn't be a passive pilot anymore. I don't really want to do active flying for a while because I don't want to make an error. Instead of specialization on pilot experience would there be any specialization For flying conditions? I got an epsilon 9 and it's real short and stubby. They have quit making this and I was considering just looking for another one if I wear this one out because I don't want to learn how to fly more stuff I would learn how to fly one thing.