Airwave describe their new FR5 paraglider as an “open class race ship” and feel its significant performance improvement combined with its ease and stability make it a real jump forward from the FR4.
It has a larger span and 6 more cells (now 81) than the FR4, and a significantly different line layout, including only 2 instead of 3 C lines (to reduce drag). The third A and B line are joined together saving another lower line, all of which means huge benefits in performance but you can no longer perform B line stalls or big ears manoeuvres, so be prepared to spiral dive if you need to descend rapidly!
The new, very circular arc results in a wing with “lovely handling and turn co-ordination”, say Airwave, and there is “very little wobble or oscillation considering the high aspect ratio and the flat arc”.
The glider has a lot more internal reinforcing and the snake-like plastic wire in the nose gives improved high speed stability.
The trimmer system offers a speed range of 13km/h and top speed is just under 70 km/h.
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