Adventure intermediate with smart brakes (EN/LTF B)

ION 4 - Performance for All

High performance, light and a master at turning: the ION 4 has a better glide than the MENTOR 3. From 3.95 kg (XXS) it is feather light and thanks to its smart brakes, it offers impressive handling and climb performance. Discover the new milestone in the ION series!

Performance inside. The result of analytical improvements and technologies like the Smart Cells, the Air Scoop and the new PPSL 191 lines have assisted us to create a wing with groundbreaking performance data. The ION 4 performs better than the MENTOR 3 - to date the only EN/LTF certified B wing to have flown a 300km FAI triangle. But the demand on the pilot stays the same: an ION is an ION and it offers performance for all.

Smart Brakes. Our design team used the idea of Smart Cells to create Smart Brakes. The team designed a new geometry, so that the brakes run in line with the direction of force. A refined canopy shape and tapered wing tips underpin the design optimisation. The result: a brake configuration that pulls down the trailing edge symmetrically and with little effort. This means the wing is easier to turn, climbs more efficiently and is more fun to fly.

Feather light technology bundle. The ION 4 is a well thought out adventure intermediate, that is also wonderfully simple to fly. With only 3.95 kilograms (XXS) it makes the carry up or mountain adventure easy. The light weight makes the ION 4 simple to launch and improves its extreme flight behaviour. The reduced weight is the result of smart material selection and an optimised internal construction which has been subjected to rigorous strength analysis.

Tested beyond the standard

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Requirements

»The ION 4 is suitable for a wide spectrum of pilots. It offers a high degree of passive safety and is suitable for use in schools, so long as your country sanctions the use of an EN B wing for training. On the other hand, the glider has impressive performance, which makes the ION 4 a wing for all occasions. It is suitable for gifted beginners as well as experienced pilots with cross-country ambitions. To the members of the development team it is of great importance that the demands on the pilots remain constant from one glider generation to the next. An ION is an ION.«

Mario Eder
Chief test pilot

If you are unsure, your NOVA dealer will be happy to advise on the correct wing!

The ION experience

Useful information

  • Like the MENTOR, the ION is in a class of its own and with good reason – with each generation of wing the demand on the pilot has remained constant. What has changed is the performance, handling and the associated enjoyment of flight.
  • On the ION 4 we have used a clever brake geometry - brake attachment points are positioned on the trailing edge to run in line with the direction of force. We call this Smart Brakes. The optimised brake geometry results in a clean trailing edge which markedly improves performance during slow flight.
  • The tapered design of the wing tips is new and they are narrower in comparison to the ION 3. The result is a wing that is much easier to turn. The new wing tips, in combination with the Smart Brakes, has produced a handling which really excited our test pilots.
  • We have used the know-how gained from our strength analysis testing in combination with our laser cutters to optimise the weight of the ION 4. The wing is as light as possible without compromising on strength and durability. Size XXS weighs less than 4kg while remaining extremely robust. Thanks to its lightweight and great durability we have been able to combine the ION and the ION light into one product: the ION 4 has all the advantages in one great glider.
  • One for all - the ION 4 offers ultimate flexibility. With little weight, it is excellent for hike & fly; its good performance makes it hungry for distance and thanks to its good nature many pilots will have blissful flights on this wing.
  • New technologies: the ION 4 has been kitted out with all the features that make our wings perform so well. As well as Smart Cells and Air Scoop we have also used the new PPSL-191 lines for the first time. These reduce drag by approximately 12 percent - in comparison to conventional PPSL-160 lines, which are equally strong.

Take a look inside

Not a gram of unnecessary weight and really tough – the ION 4 has a structurally optimised internal construction. All internal ribs are cut depending on the force that is exerted on them. The result is a super-light wing weighing only 3.95 (XXS) to 5.30 (L) kilograms.

New PPSL-191 lines: super thin, super strong

Five characteristics that make a good line: thin, strong, easy to sort, robust and its length should remain basically constant. The new PPSL-191 has all these atributtes. This is the rationale for using this line on the ION 4. Ultimate strength and ultimate simplicity thanks to its sheathing - with minimal drag!

346.8 ionised kilometres

»I didn't believe that it would be possible to build a wing with such a low aspect ratio but with so much performance. The ION 4 proved me wrong! As well as the incredible glide performance the wing offers an impressive thermalling experience. The ION bites into the thermal and it feels like it locates the best climb all by itself. No surging, no correction needed - it just climbs. It's great!«

Berni Peßl
XC champion and record holder, extensively tested the ION 4 in Quixadá (Brazil)

配色

Lime
Petrol
Pink
Red

This 3D model will assist you to see the approximate appearance of a custom colour. But please be aware: the actual colours may vary from the 3D model. For any queries, please contact your NOVA Partner or email us directly at info@nova.eu.

Speedbrake Riser

技术参数

  XXS XS S M L
气室数 49
投影翼展 8,02 8,44 8,82 9,22 9,62
投影面积 18,65 20,65 22,57 24,62 26,81
投影展弦比 3,44
平铺翼展 10,65 11,21 11,72 12,24 12,78
平铺面积 22,06 24,31 26,69 29,12 31,71
平铺展弦比 5,14
伞绳直径 0,7 / 0,8 / 1,0 /1,2 / 1,3
高度 6,24 6,57 6,87 7,17 7,49
总绳长 217 229 240 250 262
最大弦长 2,57 2,70 2,83 2,95 3,08
最小弦长 0,59 0,63 0,66 0,68 0,71
重量 3,95 4,30 4,65 4,95 5,30
建议起飞全重 55-80 70-90 80-100 90-110 100-130
Certification (EN/LTF) B B B B B


The weight of the wing can vary by +/- 100 grams.

技术细节

材料

服务

Best flights

Scope of delivery

Trim Tuning – the better line service

Reviews

Motor

According to the DGAC (France), the ION 4 will be registered for powered flight. Our adventure intermediate is suitable for both free flying and paramotoring. You can find the certification documents in the Downloads section. Especially for powered flight, we have developed a riser with two mounts1. It is suitable for two different hook-in heights. 1Available from the end of April 2016

FAQ

This depends on what type of flying you do. If you are passionate about cross-country flying, then the Speedbrake Riser provides efficient "counter-acceleration", which improves your glide performance. We recommend conventional risers for recreational flyers, acro pilots and hike & fly enthusiasts.

Where the glider is flown in the weight-range is first and foremost a question of personal preference: anyone seeking a high degree of agility and dynamic flying should fly our wings at the higher end of the weight-range. Pilots who are happier with gentle flights with a high degree of damping will be happier in the middle of the weight-range. Of course, the flying conditions have a big influence - in turbulent, windy conditions greater wing loading will bring greater stability; whereas flying the glider at the lower end of the weight-range makes it unbeatable in weak thermals. Correct wing loading is mainly a question of personal preference and the conditions in which you mainly fly. Your Nova dealer will be happy to advise you!

The brakes are components relevant to certification - modification can affect the flying characteristics and extreme flight behaviour. Because of this, we strongly advise against any modification of the brake system. It is important that the brake has sufficient travel before it engages. This is also important so that the wing does not brake automatically when the speed bar is used. Furthermore a brake that engages too early affects performance and influences the recovery during incidents, for example during a collapse or when the canopy goes parachutal.

Performance data depends heavily on the drag created by the pilot and this is linked to their seating position and harness type. An aerodynamic harness or seating position can make the difference of one glide ratio point. We at NOVA never determine absolute performance data, instead we make comparisons with reference gliders. For this reason we do not publish performance data.

The way a pilot holds the brake handles is a matter of personal preference - but it does have significant influence on the handling and flying characteristics of the wing. We recommend a half-wrap. You hold the brake handle in your palm and twist it half way around your hand so that the brake line lies between your thumb and forefinger. This shortens the brake travel by approximately 20 centimetres and this has a positive effect on feedback - firstly you directly feel the travel of the brake line and secondly, with the arms positioned higher, it is easier to feel the wing. The exception is of course when gliding or during other phases of the flight when steering with the brake is not necessary. Please note: when changing from no-wrap to half-wrap, the shortened brake travel must be taken into consideration.

The ION is less dynamic than the MENTOR. The ION is suitable for pilots desiring more comfort and a more relaxed feel while in the air. In comparison, the MENTOR is sportier.

Simplicity is our motto. Our wings can be packed using a concertina bag, but it is not essential. You can fold this wing using your preferred method and pack it in our stuff sack. Be careful not to bend the leading edge rods unnecessarily. This is particularly true if the wing is to be stored for longer periods or if it is packed tightly.

Sail cloth, lines and all other components are subjected to rigorous testing before they are used in serial production. We not only test the sail cloth for durability (high porosity or reduced tear resistance through UV damage or wear) but also for mechanical robustness, for example stretching. For quality control purposes we regularly take samples during serial production.

During the initial flights the lines are first subjected to load. This load induces a small degree of stretching and shrinking. These are not associated with the line manufacturers or the quality of workmanship - in the factory all NOVA paragliders are trimmed and pre-stretched to within a very low tolerance. To adjust this stretching or shrinking, we recommend that the wing is taken for NTT (NOVA Trim Tuning) after ten to twenty flights - after one year at the very latest. Generally, the line lengths remain constant after the first ten to twenty hours. To make full use of the NTT, NOVA encourages all pilots to have their wing checked after ten to twenty flying hours.

The best person to contact is your authorised NOVA dealer. If there are no paragliding schools in your country, contact the NOVA importer. A list of our dealers and distribution network can be found here. If you have specific questions you are welcome to contact us directly.

Dry, not packed too tightly and if possible in a space without wide temperature variations - these are the conditions that make our paragliders feel well. You should never store a wing when it is moist. You should also avoid excessive heat, like you would have, for example, in the car. Never remove dirt using chemical detergents and/or brushes.

The NOVA Trim Tuning is optional. We would strongly recommend it, but there is no obligation to have the NTT. You can skip the tuning and have your wing fully inspected during the NOVA Full Service.

Test flight
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