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  • PRION 4

    The new A class

    PRION 4 - fly safely

    The PRION 4 offers much and demands little. Regardless whether you are making your first turns in a thermal or if you are flying big distances in unknown areas, in every case you will benefit from the simplicity and innovations designed into the PRION 4.

    Certification: EN/LTF A


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  • ION 5

    The Adventure Intermediate

    ION 5 - Evolution of a legend

    Making something good even better. This was our aim during the development of the ION 5. The result is a high performance, light and safe wing, which will impress you with its even better handling. Basically, a real ION.

    Certification: EN/LTF B


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  • ION 5 light

    A lightweight feel-good intermediate with high performance

    ION 5 Light – little weight, big performance

    The ION 5 Light combines a low weight, with the stunning characteristics of its heavier brother: outstanding glide, precise and agile handling and an exceptional climbing performance. Its light weight and forthcoming launch behaviour make the ION 5 Light an excellent companion both in the air and on the ground.

    Certification: EN/LTF B


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  • MENTOR 6

    High-Tech for the EN B Class

    MENTOR 6 - Extend your Range

    For many years the MENTOR series has been synonymous with top performance in the EN B class. The MENTOR 6 continues this tradition, complementing the strengths of its predecessors with innovations that enhance its performance even more. Broaden your horizons with the master in its class.

    Certification: High-Tech for the EN B Class


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  • MENTOR 6 Light

    Three-liner | 59 cells | 5.43 aspect ratio | 4,2 kilo weight - size S

    MENTOR 6 Light - Less weight, zero limits

    At home in the B class and travelling the world - the MENTOR 6 Light in size S is a hefty 850 grams lighter than its big brother, but offers the same ingenious new developments like Zig-Zag 3D-Shaping, the innovative Mini-Rib Vector Tape, Double-B Splits and new risers. Since sometimes during Hike&Fly you might get choppy conditions, the MENTOR 6 Light also comes with a plus trim in comfort next to the high performance.

    Certification: EN/LTF B


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  • PHANTOM

    Top-end performance with low-end B pilot demand

    PHANTOM – a new era in paragliding

    The PHANTOM offers the safety of a basic intermediate with the performance of a top-end wing. This has been made possible through probably the most complex construction ever used in a serial-production wing.

    Certification: EN/LTF B


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  • SECTOR

    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!

    Certification: Certification: EN/LTF C


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  • BANTAM

    Three-Liner | Cells: 33 | Aspect Ratio: 4.4 | Weight: 1.65 kg - Size 12

    BANTAM - Made for para-mountaineers.

    Small, compact, dynamic - the BANTAM is the perfect miniwing for all mountaineers who prefer a flight with plenty of speed to a descent on foot. Only 1.65 kg (size 12) makes the BANTAM the lightest certified non-single-surface wing on the market (as of October 2019).

    Certification: EN/LTF D


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  • IBEX 4

    The versatile fun machine

    Wherever you go

    Light, high performance, fast, uncomplicated, safe and just pure fun: the IBEX 4 is a versatile, super-lightweight paraglider (from 3.0 kg) with a multitude of uses and an extraordinarily wide weight-range. It is suitable for hike & fly, travelling, recreational flying, mountaineering, flying under instruction and strong-wind soaring.

    Certification: EN/LTF A


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  • DOUBLESKIN

    Three-Liner | Cells: 33 | Aspect Ratio: 4.4 | Weight: 2.1 kg - Size 17

    DOUBLESKIN - Minimalist hike & fly

    The DOUBLESKIN is the lightest paraglider in the world* with top and under surface (2.1 kg / size 17). It has a very small pack size and is a delight in the air thanks to better aerodynamics compared to a single-surface wing. With the DOUBLESKIN walking up is as enjoyable as flying and landing!

    (*by same flat surface area, with EN-certification, with the Ultralight Riser and without taking single-skin wings into account. As: 06/19)

    Certification: EN/LTF A


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  • BION 2

    Share the most beautiful moments

    BION 2 - flexibility and comfort

    Like its predecessor, the BION 2 excites professional tandem pilots as well as enthusiastic recreational pilots who want to share their most beautiful moments. Take off, enjoy, land safely: the BION 2 is a reliable partner which takes its responsibility seriously.  With maximum performance, it will never let you or your passenger down.

    Certification: EN/LTF B


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  • SPEEDMAX 2

    The paramotor wing with Soft-Reflex

    SPEEDMAX 2 - Pure Powered Performance

    Impressive performance, a high level of stability, balanced handling: the SPEEDMAX 2 is aimed at pilots who are looking for an efficient paramotor wing that is fun to fly. The wing combines high speed with easy launch characteristics and forgiving flight behaviour. 

    Certification: DGAC


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Stories

ION XC-Challenge 2016: Franz Breitwieser (AUT)

231km FAI triangle with a low-end EN-B

Franz Breitwieser from Kremsmünster proved yet again that there is no need for a hot-ship to fly big distances. And he also showed how well the ION 4 performs. On the 21st May 2016, the 34-year-old flew a 231.3 km FAI triangle from the Grente. And he was no slouch: his speed averaged 23.52 km/h. It was interesting that "Franky", who won the 2015 ION XC-Challenge with his ION 3, chose an ION 4 for this current season. Despite all of his success, he did not move to a higher glider class. He has stayed loyal to his brand and wing classification. We interviewed him… but we must point out that none of his answers have been changed in anyway. He is just extremely enthusiastic about the ION 4.

Related Product:
ION
SOMNIUM

Firstly, congratulations on retaining your title, Franz. 231 km is an awsome distance. How long have you been flying? And how many hours/flights have you logged?

Thanks! I have been practicing the most beautiful sport in the world for exactly 11 years. On average, I fly about 100 hours a year. Although that average will be lower now as my house building project has priority. That made it even sweeter that my only significant cross-country flight was really was amazing.

Ten years ago no aspiring cross-country pilot would have thought of using a glider like the ION 4, which is certified for training in some countries, as an XC wing. Today the MENTORs & Co are rocking the XC contests. And now the IONs are getting in on the act. How come you fly a low-end EN B?

Well, I never actually had any ambitions to fly a high-performance glider. In the past few years, I have flown higher performance gliders, but then I consciously and successively stepped back down to a low-end EN B. The main reason: I feel best when I am under a wing with very high passive safety. And sacrificing the safety advantages for the little bit of extra performance you get in the higher rated wings isn't worth it to me.

The 21st of May 2016 seems like it was the best day of the year. In the XContest there were 81 flights over 200km!  How did the day go for you?

 

That day had massive potential! The thermals started early and developed very well during the day. But I still think that the morning hours didn't conform to a really exceptional day. Before noon, the wind still had north in it, which could be seen in some of the polished clouds over the main ridge of the Alps. As a result, I would describe the conditions as “manageable, but sometimes challenging”. But from 1 pm, it turned into a great day. Strong thermals, high cloudbase, little wind – just fantastic!

Can you tell us a little about your flight?

Sadly, the day didn't begin as planned. Against my expectations, my glider was only on the second tractor transport up the Grente. Of course I mustn’t complain. People who carry up their gear themselves might be thinking "it's your own fault" – and they are not wrong. But this meant I couldn’t launch as early as I Would have liked to.

Apart from the challenging morning hours I had a really enjoyable flight. I should probably have extended the last leg to the south a bit. But I was already overjoyed that my GPS confirmed that I had flown over 200 km and I didn't want to risk bombing out in the Dolomites.

When you compare your 231 km triangle with other flights on the 21st of May, it is clear that you flew as far and as fast as others with higher certified wings. How did you do it? Are you a speed bar-addict?

I wouldn't really call myself a racer. Good, reliable thermals let you fly very efficiently. On days like that one, I usually use half-bar. My ION 4 isn't really familiar with full-bar.

 

In your opinion, what are the differences between the ION 3 and the ION 4?

I can't honestly answer that question because I changed the model AND the size. I changed from XS to XXS, which means I could stop using ballast. At this point I would really like to praise NOVA. There are very few wings in this size at all. And if you can find one with half-descent performance it is fantastic. The ION 4 XXS is brilliant! Fantastic in turns, good speed, a high degree of passive safety and amazing L/D. A really well-designed fun- and XC-wing.

If a less experienced ION 4 pilot asked you how to best fly the ION 4 , what would your advice be? What wing-loading would you recommend? How often and how far to push the speed-bar? To turn tightly or flat? And when to do what?

In terms of wing-load, I would recommend the golden mean upwards to the upper weight limit. I am in the upper third of the weight-range. I often fly half-bar. At half-bar I don't notice any loss of performance and the wing remains very stable. And in case of a collapse, the ION 4 responds very easily manageable.

 

You could discuss the best possible way to thermal for hours. I would say, feeling for the wing is everything! There is no (secret) recipe - not for me anyway. The ION 4 turns both flat or tight well, and it climbs very efficiently. I always try to centre in the thermal and then climb as tightly as possible in the core of the thermal. This works best especially in strong thermals. In weak thermals I try to turn as flatly as possible, often with my weight on the outside of the turn.

Do you know what wing you will be flying during the 2016/17 season? And what are your goals?

I haven't properly broken in the ION 4 yet. It'll serve me next season too (laughs). Neither have I decided on any concrete goals yet. Well, except for the 'ION XC Challenge hat-trick'. I would quite like to achieve that. And in general, I have always wanted to do some longer, multi-day hike & fly trips.

Many thanks for your informative answers. We hope you fulfil your wishes and we wish you safe, beautiful flights.

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