Lightweight comfort intermediate (EN-B)

ION 3 light – Light Performance for All

The ION 3 light is a fully-fledged ION 3 - but nearly one and a half kilograms lighter. In has the same basic philosophy: the wing offers a lot and demands little. For this reason, it is the perfect all-round wing for mountaineering, cross-country and having fun. You can't get more out of a lightweight paraglider.

 Noticeably lighter. The ION 3 light is approximately one and a half kilograms lighter than an ION 3 and approximately half a kilogramme lighter than its predecessor, the ION 2 light. This weight reduction was made possible through an intelligent mixture of materials and an optimised wing interior. The robustness of the wing remains basically the same. The advantage: the wing is lighter to carry and the reduced canopy weight has a positive influence on its extreme flight behaviour.

 Dependable and powerful. The ION 3 light offers everything that one expects from a lightweight wing - sorting the lines is easy; thanks to the light material the launch characteristics are even simpler and in the air the wing is pleasantly restrained. In climbing and gliding the ION 3 light convinces completely. The brakes have been optimised for precise handling in thermals.

 Packed with innovations. SmartCells, Air Scoop, 3D Shaping - the ION 3 light has all the technologies we have developed through our experience of making performance intermediates. Thanks to its low aspect ratio (5.05), the ION 3 light offers a high degree of passive safety. These innovations are the result of an intensive development process which has led to high-performing and simultaneously safe wings.

Target group

The ION 3 light is a paraglider suitable for a wide range 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 EN B wings for training). On the other hand, its performance is impressive which makes the ION 3 light a wing for all occasions: it is a fun wing which turns like a dream; a cross-country machine, tutor and gentle acrobat all in one. It is suitable for gifted beginners as well as experienced pilots with cross-country ambitions.

The ION 3 light is a wing with high passive safety and at the same time it has a lot of performance. Simply, performance for all. Your Nova dealer will be delighted to advise on the correct wing! 

The ION light experience

Wings for flyweights

As with its predecessor, the ION 2 light, we wanted to produce an ION 3 light in the XXS size, with a weight range beginning at 55kg. It was important to us not just to scale down a large wing, but to take into consideration the technical peculiarities of small wings. For example, our designers and test pilots modified the curvature of the wing and paid particular attention to ensuring that the XXS had a balanced and suitable brake configuration which matches the size of the canopy. Therefore the ION 3 light XXS is more than just a scaled-down large wing. It is a wing with its own, fully-fledged specification. This allows women and lightweight men to enjoy a performance all-rounder. Even at the lower end of the weight range the ION 3 light XXS shows its impressive agility. This is our contribution to equal opportunities in flying. Simply, performance for all.

Discover the ION 3

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Technology

Optimised cell widths. Smart Cells counteract the variable force distribution within the wing that are caused by the line attachments. In NOVA paragliders constructed using SmartCells, the cell widths have been adapted to the load - basically, intelligent cells. Wings with SmartCells fly more calmly, are more compact and glide better.
Under pressure.

NOVA Air Scoop is an optimised air intake, which increases the internal wing pressure. NOVA's Air Scoop principle is similar to the ram-air inlet duct on a sports car: increased airflow produces higher pressure. Higher internal pressure in a paraglider means improved performance through increased structural stability and collapse resistance.

Flat profile nose. Anyone who tries to fold a piece of paper around a ball will notice that there are always creases. The nose profile of a paraglider is the same - the sail cloth has to adjust to both the profile and ballooning effect (cells are round, not straight). Double 3D Shaping uses additional seams to reduce creasing and therefore increases the performance of the wing.
Light as a feather and robust.

Very light but still durable: Light weight NOVA wings weigh little but are still robust enough to withstand the hard conditions of the mountains. The profiles are made out of durable cloth, so that this highly-stressed component does not deform - like it can with ultra-light material. This means we are able to guarantee consistent flying characteristics.

Less is more. Our idea of a three-liner with a reduced amount of line length allows us to construct wings with very good performance and a high degree of passive safety. The way we have conceptualised the lines has made it possible to manufacture wings which are collapse resistant; but when they do collapse, the collapsed area is generally less extensive. This significantly improves the wing's extreme flight behaviour.
Comfort on the ground.

All NOVA paragliders are simple and straightforward to handle. Using a cell pack bag is possible but not strictly necessary. Our long-standing experience shows that the packing method has only a minor influence on durability, as bent rods usually return to their original shape on their own.

What matters is storing the wing in a loosely packed, stress-free manner, so the rods are not subjected to sharp bends. Short-term compact packing or the use of a fast pack bag is unproblematic. For optimal long-term protection of the rods, we recommend a cell pack bag, as it keeps the rods neatly aligned and prevents permanent deformation.

Technical data

XXS XS S M L
Number of cells - 49 49 49 49 49
Projected span m 8,17 8,62 8,99 9,39 9,8
Projected area m² 18,56 20,65 22,58 24,63 26,82
Projected aspect ratio - 3,58 3,58 3,58 3,58 3,58
Flat span m 10,61 11,19 11,73 12,25 12,78
Flat area m² 22,1 24,59 26,99 29,44 32,06
Flat aspect ratio - 5,09 5,09 5,09 5,09 5,09
Line diameter mm 0,6 / 0,7 / 0,8 / 1,3
Line length m 6,22 6,56 6,89 7,18 7,49
Total line length m 219 232 243 254 265
Max. chord m 2,56 2,7 2,83 2,95 3,08
Min. chord m 0,74 0,78 0,82 0,86 0,89
Weight kg 3,55 3,8 4,05 4,3 4,55
Recommended take off weight kg 55-80 70-90 80-100 90-110 100-130
Certification (EN/LTF) - B B B B B

Materials

Leading edge: DOKDO 20 DMF WR 35 g/m²
Top surface: DOKDO 20 DMF WR 35 g/m²
Bottom surface: Porcher Sport Skytex 27 Universal 27 g/m²
Profile ribs (with line suspension point): Porcher Sport Skytex Hard, 32 g/m²
Profile ribs (without line suspension point): Porcher Sport Skytex 27 Universal 27 g/m²
Main lines: Liros PPSL 160 (Dyneema)
Gallery lines: Edelrid A8000-U70 (Aramid); Edelrid A8000-U90 (Aramid)
Brake lines: Edelrid 7850-240 (Dyneema); Cousine 85 (Dyneema)
Risers: Cousin Trestec PES/Aramid CSAR, 12 mm

Service

Every NOVA paraglider comes with a big package of extra services and guarantees. When you buy the wing you get more than just the product1.

Optimise your wing. 

During the initial flights the lines are subjected to real loads for the first time. This leads to stretching and shrinking - regardless of which line material is used. During NOVA Trim Tuning² our software analyses how out of trim the glider has become and then calculates the required correction values. Trim Tuning aids safety and increases your flying fun.

More than a check. 

The NOVA Full Service is more than just a check. Just like the Trim Tuning, we analyse the line lengths and ensure that the wing is restored to the optimal profile alignment across the whole of the span. Additionally we give the wing a full health check. Our NOVA Full Service gives you confidence in your wing.

Three years without worry. 

If your wing has undergone NOVA Trim Tuning, the date to the next check is extended from two years to three years. The two-year check becomes a three-year check. This allows you to have an extra year of carefree flying. Please note the maximum permitted flying hours in the manual.

Full four year warranty. 

As standard, NOVA provides a three year, rather than a two year, guarantee on its paragliders. If your wing has undergone NOVA Trim Tuning and a NOVA Full Service, then we will extend the guarantee for a further year to four years. You get a good feeling flying a NOVA wing.

Everything available, anytime. 

If you register your wing at myNOVA, it is added to our Quality Assurance Database. In the database - accessed through myNOVA - you can download all the key data about your wing. The database will also assist the person servicing your glider by getting information about your glider at the click of a button. Your glider will be more comprehensively checked.

1 The guarantee and service provision is limited, subject to conditions and not offered to the same extent in all countries. Detailed information is available in our guarantee conditions.

2 This service is included in the purchase price in selected countries. Please contact your dealer for more information.

Best flights

Colours

Petrol
Yellow

Please press the play button to launch the colour configurator.

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

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.

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.

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