Dust Of The Universe

Skywalk X-Alps 3 size S (80-95)  My last flight on a Skywalk D glider was on the Poison X-alps size S (70-90).  The New Xalps 3 is the wing that have won the 2017 X-alps with Christian Maurer, and third place with Paul Guschlbauer.  This new version was especially made for the X-alps with very light cloth and Dyneema risers. It’s the Hike and fly Skywalk latest competition wing.  Taking off in light wind is easy on this 7 aspect ratio glider.   I have the LM 6 in size MS (80-95) in order to compare the differences in behaviours and feeling under those gliders.  With same loadings, (92 all up), the Xalps is +2 km/h faster at trim speed. At full bar it’s also 3 km/h faster.   In turbulent and strong conditions, the Xalps 3 needs active piloting much like the Poison X-alps in size XS i had earlier.  I found out that the Poison Xalps XS handling was slightly sharper, and i was more connected to the gli...

Air-design Rise 3  I flew both the Rise 1 and 2. Here’s the Rise 3 from Air design. A high -end B with 5.95 AR and lots of design technologies from a Lightweight construction, to the Stabilo Winglets which are an interesting funny looking new feature, a Shark-Nose  and  Vortex Holes on the extremities , Mini-Ribs, Race unsheathed lines but it looks not that skinny, and tough enough, Thin performance Risers with a C-Control System !   Everything is there to show that AD are aiming for performance at first…Lets see… Launching the Rise 3 is very easy without any hang back or surge. The light material has its benefits in the launch characteristic. I flew the glider from 85 to 92 all up, to discover that flying it near the top weight is really efficient.(90-92) on the S size.  At 90 all up, the Rise 3 S has a short, precise brake travel and could be described as fairly agile.  The pressure on the brakes are moderate for th...