pauldeakin Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 Just been flying side by side 1. Gin Airflex, 28m, EN B, all up weight 130kg, no speed bar, 2. Windtech Zenith PW, 28m, EN B, all up weight 130Kg, no speed bar We were flying side by side at the same speed, I was on the Windtech Zenith with about 1cm of trimmer out the Airflex was in full reflex with trimmers fully out. I then let the trimmers out and the Airflex could not keep up. Why was the paraglider wing faster? Higher aspect ratio, more cells so neater profile, some reflex in the centre of the wing. Note: both wings are uncertified with trimmers open Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s1buell_wl Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 Well.... Good question Windtech Zenith max speed trim* (km/h) 40km min-max speed* (km/h) 22-59km Gin Airflex They do not state the gliders speed anywhere. But interestingly enough Gin has replaced the airflex already! http://www.gingliders.com/paramotoring/ what was the pilot loading (all up weight on both). T Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morgy Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 Well what was the Speed??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pauldeakin Posted July 25, 2012 Author Share Posted July 25, 2012 Well what was the Speed??? the ground speed is not really relevant, we were flying into a slight headwind, it was only a comparison of two wings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pauldeakin Posted July 25, 2012 Author Share Posted July 25, 2012 Well.... Good questionWindtech Zenith max speed trim* (km/h) 40km min-max speed* (km/h) 22-59km Gin Airflex They do not state the gliders speed anywhere. But interestingly enough Gin has replaced the airflex already! http://www.gingliders.com/paramotoring/ what was the pilot loading (all up weight on both). T All up weight was almost the same for both about 130kg. Max speed of 59kph quoted for the Zenith is without trimmers and at the certified weight of 115Kg. Both the Zenith and the Airflex are certified at max weight of 115Kg both were being flown at 130kg It looks like the new reflex wing from Gin the 'Mirage' is the same wing but with nylon battens in the leading edge instead of Mylar, and a new name. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s1buell_wl Posted July 25, 2012 Share Posted July 25, 2012 Well.... Good questionWindtech Zenith max speed trim* (km/h) 40km min-max speed* (km/h) 22-59km Gin Airflex They do not state the gliders speed anywhere. But interestingly enough Gin has replaced the airflex already! http://www.gingliders.com/paramotoring/ what was the pilot loading (all up weight on both). T All up weight was almost the same for both about 130kg. Max speed of 59kph quoted for the Zenith is without trimmers and at the certified weight of 115Kg. Both the Zenith and the Airflex are certified at max weight of 115Kg both were being flown at 130kg It looks like the new reflex wing from Gin the 'Mirage' is the same wing but with nylon battens in the leading edge instead of Mylar, and a new name. From what I see its a fast glider. I could not believe the tainted history of Windtec. The guys on paraglider forum where having quite a debate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morgy Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 So was this just an normal flight and an observation??? or were you out to test? if so why not do up wind and down wind to give us an ave speed... I would be keen to know ave speeds fuel burn etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aquatix Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 There's a guy in the States you could ask, as he has done some awesome scientific testing of almost every wing on the market, and even provides video evidence so it cannot be disputed ! Can't remember his name, but should be easy to find as he holds every world record ... in everything ..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pauldeakin Posted July 26, 2012 Author Share Posted July 26, 2012 So was this just an normal flight and an observation??? or were you out to test? if so why not do up wind and down wind to give us an ave speed...I would be keen to know ave speeds fuel burn etc It was a normal flight, We was just surprised that paraglider wing was clearly faster than the reflex wing, so we decided to do a comparison. I did not have a GPS, next time I will take a GPS and get some figures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morgy Posted July 26, 2012 Share Posted July 26, 2012 Nice one paul i will be interested in your findings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pauldeakin Posted July 27, 2012 Author Share Posted July 27, 2012 Nice one paul i will be interested in your findings I will shave my legs first to reduce drag Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
savage Posted July 28, 2012 Share Posted July 28, 2012 It looks like the new reflex wing from Gin the 'Mirage' is the same wing but with nylon battens in the leading edge instead of Mylar, and a new name. I am more than happy to be proved wrong, but I don't think it has got battens, the 'light leading edge' referred to in the blurb is exactly the same blurb that was used for the Airflex and is Marlar with a lot of it cut away to reduce weight, I think they have just changed colours and material suppliers, which is not surprising as it is such a nice wing anyway. Stuart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbertflyer Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 Most recent ENC paraglider wings are fast:- http://www.gradient.cx/en/Aspen4/tech Why shouldn't they be? Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farmer_Dave Posted July 31, 2012 Share Posted July 31, 2012 Not only fast Richard. Almost 10 to one glide aswell. And even a couple of ENB wings with well over 50 kmh, 10/1 glide AND safety !!! Fit trimmers for 60 kph and chuck some of the safety if you want to. We're spoilt compared to some of the dogs of yesteryear. I sat infront of my mate on his revo for miles and miles with atis 2 with trimmers. Used less fuel , sporty handling, better glide, inspite of the extra 3 stone etc. No one believed it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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