Swing launch Sonic RS parakite

Swing have launched the Sonic RS, an all-round parakite developed from the reflex profile of their Scorpio RS paramotor wing. Aimed at a wide range of use from “strong-wind soaring at the coast” to “dynamic turns and precise proximity flying”, Swing say the handling stays “direct, predictable and intuitive”.

The wing was developed by Swing’s Italian R&D team, led by designer Alessio Casolla, and refined over extended sessions on South Africa’s coast. Swing say the goal was to make an accessible, all-round parakite with intuitive, predictable handling that leaves pilots plenty of room to grow – straightforward enough to build confidence quickly, but dynamic and capable enough to keep pace with more advanced flying.

At the heart of the wing is Swing’s RAST internal structure, working alongside a reflex profile developed from the Scorpio RS and adapted for parakite use. Swing say the combination gives the Sonic RS a calm, compact feel with neutral pitch behaviour and high canopy stability across the speed range, with faster inflation in light wind with no tendency to overshoot in strong winds.

Handling is built around a wingtip stabilo-control system fitted to every size, which combines with the main brake to sharpen turns for barrel rolls, launching and swooping. Rigid handles pair a conventional brake loop with a neoprene-padded grip bar for steering without fatigue.

Risers are built as a hybrid of Dyneema lines and 12mm webbing. Swing say this combination delivers more precise handling and more control on launch. Fidlock magnetic holders keep the brake handles at the best glide position for packing and can also be used in the air, if you need your hands free, although Swing warn that the fittings are not load tested and should not be used clipped-in for extended periods. In addition the wings are equipped with a depower pod that “lets you deactivate the lift quickly and in a controlled way on the ground.”

The Sonic RS comes in four sizes – 15, 18, 21 and 24 – load tested to EN 926-1, with all-up take-off weights ranging from 50-119kg on the 15 up to 70-119kg on the 24. All sizes have 52 cells. Wing weight ranges from 3.5kg for the 15 to 4.6kg on the 24. The Sonic RS is available in two colourways, Green and Sangria.

More info at swing.de