Evolution instead of revolution. The ION 4 is this millenniums best-selling NOVA paraglider. The "ION class" has become synonymous with the ultimate in versatile paraglider. It stands for excellent performance, appealing handling and a high degree of passive safety. With the ION 5, we are raising these strengths to a new level.

Handling and glide performance for big adventures. The ION 5 responds directly to brake inputs and the reduced brake pressure makes long thermic flights more comfortable. The new wing tips and the fundamentally improved stress distribution improve the glide performance across the entire speed-range. The level of passive safety and the intended pilot target group remain the same as with its previous model. This makes the ION 5 the perfect companion for relaxed flights, even over several hours and hundreds of kilometres.

Lightweight. Like the ION 4, the ION 5 has been designed as a semi-light wing. We have built on our proven mix of materials, but a large area of the upper and lower surface is made with the new Dokdo 20D cloth. This cloth is even lighter, whilst simultaneously being more durable. At less than 5 kg (size M), this makes the ION 5 suitable for hike & fly, without having to worry about the longevity of the wing.

The ION 5 is suitable for a wide spectrum of pilots. It offers a high degree of passive safety and is suitable for use in schools (as long as your country sanctions the use of an EB B wing for training). On the other hand, the glider has impressive performance, which makes the ION 5 a wing for all occasions. It is a fun wing which turns like a dream, a cross-country machine, a tutor and a gentle acrobat all in one. It is suitable for gifted beginners as well as experienced pilots with cross-country ambitions. The demands on the ION pilots remain constant from one glider generation to the next.
An ION is an ION.

• Like the MENTOR, the ION has become a class of its own - and with good reason.  For years, we have been making wings for clearly defined target groups. What is being continuously improved is the performance, handling and the associated enjoyment of flight.
• New wing tip design: The profile has been optimized, the chord is reduced and an additional cell has been added. The result of these measures is increased glide performance. 
• Latest cloth innovation: The new DOKDO 20D is 2g/m² lighter and during fabric testing has proved itself to be more durable  (in terms of  strength as well as porosity).
• Latest line materials: The PPSLS65 from Liros are the thinnest sheathed lines on the market and are used for the brakes and stabilo lines. These aid ease of sorting and reduce drag.
• Optimized ballooning calculation:  The wing's ballooning significantly influences the stability, performance and handling. The ION 5 benefits from new modelling and simulation tools have enabled improvement of ballooning and, thus, the wing's stress distribution.

Lu-Glidz is Germany’s most popular paragliding blog and enjoys an outstanding reputation. Now, Lucian Haas tested our ION 5. Here you can go directly to the review (in German).

This is the translation of Lucian's conclusion: "With the Ion 5, Nova has once again succeeded in evolving its successful Low/Mid-B glider concept. The glider has taken over many of the strengths of the Ion 4 – with a dash of more sportiness, turning pleasure and performance as the icing on the cake. Yet, this is also evident in the launch behaviour, which is now not that forgivingly simple and as directionally stable as with its predecessor. Especially in stronger winds the glider reveals a slightly “bitier character”. Once in the air, the Ion 5 is one of the most comfortable, performant and versatile wings in its class. The relatively low weight and packing size (semi-light construction) make the wing also interesting for hike & fly".

Thermik is the #1 paragliding mag in the German speaking countries. In their May issue they published a detailed review of the ION 5. You can download the full review here (it is a 6-page-PDF in German). Thanks to Thermik for the permission.

Conclusion

"The ION 5 is clearly "even better". Without any reliable comparison flights, this remains spectulation, but it feels like performance. I'm quite willing to believe that there's been an addition here. Markedly more obvious is the fine-tuning of the handling. It seems exquisite even for the most demanding gourmets like myself.

Playing with the dynamics works well, and at the same time the ION 5 is also suitable for less experienced pilots. With a few caveats (not everyone wants a racy wing), the ION 5 of course also flies very well, even if you have not yet developed fully automatic responses. The wing spans an attractive arc from thermal flying-oriented beginners to ambitiously mile-munching XC-pilots.

NOVA has dared to significantly improve on their best-selling glider and, in my honest opinion, with complete success. Bravo!"

The French magazine hast published a review of the ION 5 in its July/August 2018 issue. We have translated the most important paragraphs of this test for you. Many thanks to Parapente+ for the permission to put it online.

You can download the full review (it is a 3-page-PDF in French) here. 

NOVA ION 5 – To broaden your horizons

If you are looking for a versatile wing that will accompany you as your skills improve as a pilot, and which will serve you in many flying environments (recreational flying, cross-country, hike & fly), the Ion 5 is the wing to make you happy. Uncomplicated and accessible, while still playful – it offers an excellent package of qualities!

Summary

I clearly had the wrong idea about the possibility of stalling or spinning an EN B wing for testing while doing a cross-country flight. Actually, I've been thoroughly questioning myself since I've been testing… On the last day under Ion 5, I flew 86 km with a good average speed and, considering the demanding conditions, I honestly would have much been more reluctant to do this with my usual wing! I particularly remember the physical and psychological comfort that the Ion 5 gave me on cross-country flights. With this wing, you can concentrate on the conditions and your flight strategy, and conserve energy and mental load. It’s easy to fly, forgiving and docile. In turbulence, the Ion 5 is a safe glider with very high passive safety. But it is also fun to fly with its responsive and precise turns. It also delivers plenty of performance to ensure successful transitions and helps you reach more ambitious goals.

The Ion 5 is the right compromise for pilots who are looking for a wing that performs in varying environments and different kinds of paragliding. It actually invites you to travel and adventure.

For whom?

Newbies in the intermediate category with an already good feeling for their wing. Cross-country beginners. Experienced pilots looking for safety and comfort, more than plain performance. Thanks to its low weight it is also suitable for hike & fly. A very wide range of pilots will enjoy themselves under this wing!

The advantages

Its versatility and its high passive safety – it offers a feeling of safety and pleasure at the same time – a glider, which enables the pilot to progress easily – true performance with generally uncomplicated handling – light weight, simple packing, small packing size.

The little disadvantages?

The fabric’s surface is very silky and rather slippery – to fold the wing perfectly may be more difficult – but the Ion 5 does not require a special folding technique, so it can be packed without a concertina bag.