AirDesign have announced two new lightweight gliders for the 2025 season – including one specifically for the Red Bull X-Alps.
Tagging both wings ‘XPed’ – for Expedition – the wings are designed to be light and tough for “the most remote and extreme adventures”.
The first glider is the SuSi XPed. A lightweight double-skin mountain wing based on the popular SuSi 4 the glider starts at just 1.62kg for the smallest size.
The wing comes in three sizes – 13, 16 and 18 – and covers a weight range of 50-100 kg. Size 13 is certified EN D while sizes 16 and 18 are certified EN C.
The flat aspect ratio is 4.86 and the glider has 34 cells. Colour schemes include ‘Jay’ and ‘Cherry’.
The second glider released this month is the Hero XPed. Designed specifically to be used in “the world’s toughest adventure race” the Hero XPed is a lightweight EN D “with a distinct DNA”.
Based on the AirDesign Hero the Hero XPed is a superlight cross country wing available in four sizes: 19, 20, 22 and 23. It weighs just 2.81kg for the size 19, up to 3.28kg for the 23.
With an aspect ratio of 6.81 in all sizes and 57 cells it is certified EN D. It covers pilot weight ranges from 64-108 kg.
AirDesign said: “The Hero XPed is a serious contender for hike-and-fly competitions. Its passive safety, delightful cohesion and global performance make it also a perfect companion for vol-biv adventures.”
They added: “The Hero XPed is flown optimal around 5kg below the max weight loading, allowing you to carry more gear if needed, without exceeding the upper certified range, like in bivy for example.”
The Hero XPed does not replace the Hero, but is designed to complete the range by aiming at hike-and-fly and adventure racing pilots.
It will be flown in this year’s Red Bull X-Alps by Davide Sassudelli and Hugo Alvarez Chamoreau.
