Jeff Goin tries out the new Charger, a full reflex wing aimed at newer pilots
It was very easy to launch – very easy. Light wind reverses, where backwards walking is needed, were easy.
Even after letting it fall back slightly, it would recover overhead nicely once we scored some thrust. Trimmers were set about an inch from full slow.
Walking backwards like this is not a technique I would recommend – forward inflation makes more sense – but we wanted to see how it behaved. It shined. Most wings can be reversed this way, but easier inflators tolerate less finesse. In general, if you can’t kite while standing still, it’s probably better to do a forward.
Mac Para have always shone here which is good for motor pilots who frequently face flat ground, soft sand, and no wind. We all appreciate a wing that pops up smartly when trying to accelerate through the soft, superfine sand that’s endemic on some of Earth’s coolest beach locations. It can be nearly impossible to get a sluggish wing overhead when running in that stuff.
Inflation characteristics are important for mountain flyers but in a different way. Namely, models that inflate nicely in still air tend to overshoot and front tuck in strong winds on hills. Proper technique can easily overcome that, of course, but it’s something to be aware of – the flip side of easy inflations…
The full Mac Para Charger review is in Cross Country issue 159 (May 2015).
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