Certification: EN/LTF C

SECTOR – For Your Perfect Day

The SECTOR is a performance XC wing with comparatively low aspect ratio, with substantial, totally usable performance and excellent handling. Like the MENTOR in the standard class, the SECTOR is the mile-eater of the sports class.

SECTOR - for your perfect XC day!

The inspiration - the mile-eaters of the sports class. For nearly a decade, the MENTOR has been the benchmark in LTF/EN B cross-country wings and it wins everything that can be won. With the new SECTOR we have taken the same approach - but in the sports class (EN C). The low aspect-ratio (5.92) is the basis for a high level of passive safety and confidence-inspiring flying characteristics. Coupled with a precise handling, the SECTOR offers an impressively high level of totally usable performance.

Performance comparison. Years ago we stopped detailing absolute performance figures. Instead, we make comparisons with well-established models. Comparative flights with the MENTOR 5 showed 0.7 to 0.8 better glide points - with a very flat polar curve and high top-speed. It also clearly tops the TRITON 2. The SECTOR needs not be afraid of any comparison.

Thermal flying - balanced and uncomplicated.

Immediately after take off the pilot will feel a solid wing with a high comfort factor. And this happy feeling continues when initiating a turn. Short brake travel with very moderate pressure results in direct and precise responses to brake inputs. Whether the thermals are large and weak or small and strong, the SECTOR will climb in anything. It will master all turns and angles of bank. Its main strengths are balance and simplicity.

Totally usable performance – it's a confidence thing. What is the use of having great performance in the morning, when there is no wind, if the wing is tossed about in turbulent air on a mega XC day? Pitch, roll, yaw or a continually deforming wing reduce the performance. The advantage of the SECTOR is the totally usable performance - like on the MENTOR. Even in strong thermals it stays solid. The SECTOR also inherited the MENTOR's stability at full-speed. The SECTOR gives cross-country pilots real confidence - a really important prerequisite for long-distance flights.

Requirements

In terms of the technical data, the SECTOR is nearly exactly positioned between the MENTOR 5 and the TRITON 2.

The same applies to the pilot target group. Any pilot who has a handle on their MENTOR and wishes to have more performance and that "EN C feeling" in handling will love the SECTOR. In comparison to the TRITON 2, clearly the SECTOR requires less active flying - but this does not change the fact that this is a sports class wing.

For queries about the suitability of the wing for you, your NOVA dealer will be happy to assist.

Little weight – compact packing volume

In size M (90–110 kg), the SECTOR only weighs 4.4 kg! This nearly puts it in the specialist lightweight wing market. We did not, however, make this a radical lightweight construction. The internal wing construction has been analysed and optimised for strength and then made lighter by using Triple Tape Diagonals. The risers are 'normal', but light and slim. Our cloth choice is a clever compromise of durability and lightness. This means the SECTOR is absolutely usable for hike & fly and vol biv.

Of course, the SECTOR comes with all NOVA guarantees and services.

Video

Further design details

Diagonal Tape Ribs are lightweight and ensure a stable structure (as used on the PHANTOM). Although more complicated to manufacture, they ensure better form stability without adding weight.

Automatic speed-bar stabilisation when accelerated: The outer A-line is re-routed over a pulley. This means that when using the speed-bar, the inner A-lines are fully accelerated and the outer A-lines are accelerated by 50%. The result is more wing stability and less tendency to yaw.

Low Drag Brake: The Low Drag Brake on the SECTOR looks unusual, but in the course of the wing's development we found it to be the optimal solution- both in terms of the number of line attachment points (fewer lines = more performance) and in terms of the brake pressure, sink rate when turning and steering characteristics.

Easy Packing: Many current sports class wings have a complex construction with long rods and a multitude of reinforcements. For the SECTOR we applied the NOVA motto: "Keep paragliding simple". Apart from the kink resistant nylon rods in the leading edge, we were able to avoid using any other reinforcements. The SECTOR doesn't require a concertina bag.

Impressions

Peter Gebhard, X-Alps finisher (2013, 5th place) and former PWC competition pilot commented after testing the SECTOR in the Dolomites:

"Launches easy, flies, climbs and turns well! I would describe the brake as rather short (for an EN C wing) with moderate brake pressure."

Attribute

Everything you need to know about the SECTOR:

  • Low aspect ratio – high level of really usable performance
  • Short brake travel – moderate brake pressure
  • Balanced thermalling characteristics with exceptionally good climb rate
  • Stable on bar – flat polar
  • Lightweight construction – small packing volume, little weight, improved take off characteristics
  • First place in national XC Championships 2018 in the sport class in Germany, Austria and Switzerland

Review - Thermik Magazin

Thermik Magazin is the leading paragliding magazine for the German speaking countries. Here you can download a PDF file of their review (German) of the SECTOR.

Summery: Nova offers a sports class wing that is appealing to a wide range of paraglider pilots. Pilots stepping up from a B-wing will feel just as comfortable as an ambitious sport class pilot who wants to rely on higher passive safety in the future. Of course, you will have to enjoy this relaxed feeling - whoever is searching for a thrill should look elsewhere. Nevertheless, the SECTOR will be a relieble companion for XC pilots of all kind, delivering high performance for epic cross-country adventure. Surely, there will be someone within the NOVA family trying to break records with the SECTOR.

Thanks to Thermik-Magazin for the permission to publish this review.

Technology

Technical data

    XS     S M L
Number of cells   67
Projected span m 9,19     9,65 10,09 10,52
Projected area 19,31     21,31 23,32 25,32
Projected aspect ratio   4,37
Flat span m 11,59     12,17 12,73 13,27
Flat area 22,69     25,03 27,39 29,75
Flat aspect ratio   5,92
Line diameter mm 0,6 / 0,8 / 1,0 /1,2
Line length m 6,72     7,06 7,39 7,70
Total line length m 238     250 262 273
Max. chord m 2,41     2,53 2,65 2,76
Min. chord m 0,38     0,40 0,42 0,44
Weight kg 3,80     4,10 4,40 4,70
Recommended take off weight kg 70-90     80-100 90-110 100-130
Certification (EN/LTF)   C     C C C

Materials

Service

Best Flights

Speedbrake Riser

Colours

Lime
Orange
Purple
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.

Scope of delivery

FAQ

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.

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.

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 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.

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