A light, high-tech wing. Structurally optimised slots in the wing's interior, high-quality lightweight materials and slim risers allowed a weight reduction of 800 g compared to the ION 5.

The canopy construction uses mainly the latest generation of the Porcher Skytex 27 light cloth. The double-sided coating of this cloth provides the same proven UV resistance as current standard cloths that are significantly heavier.

Performance included. On launch the lightweight wing impresses with its good-natured take off behaviour. In flight, the precise and agile handling allows an easy entry into thermals and facilitates an intuitive flying style. The canopy provides clear feedback that is easy to understand, making it a pleasant companion for beginner and experienced pilots alike. The performance in glide across the entire speed-range is well above its predecessor the ION 4. It is the combination of these features that make the ION 5 Light a good choice for long but relaxed cross-country flights.

One wing for all occasions. The ION 5 Light is a glider for all occasions: whether it is a long thermal flight, a hike & fly adventure or simply soaring with friends. The ION 5 Light supports you in achieving your goals whilst giving you the peace of mind of a wing with a high degree of passive safety.

The ION 5 Light is suitable for a wide spectrum of pilots. On the one hand, it offers a high degree of passive safety and is therefore suitable for the use in most flying schools. On the other hand, the glider has impressive performance, which makes the ION 5 Light a wing for every occasion: fun to fly but with inspiring climbing capabilities and an agile handling. The wing is suitable for talented beginners as well as experienced pilots with cross-country ambitions. From each ION generation to the next, the demands on the pilot have remained the same. The ION 5 Light stays true to its low-end EN B roots whilst offering the performance of a cross-country machine. 

It is important to us to build smaller sized wings with a weight range starting at 50 kg. Instead of just scaling down a larger wing, we considered in great depth the technical peculiarities of small wings to ensure that the XXXS had a balanced and suitable brake configuration which matches the size of the canopy. Therefore, the ION 5 Light XXXS is a wing with its own, fully-fledged specification allowing both women and men to enjoy its excellent performance, safety features and impressive agility. This is our contribution to equal opportunities in flying.

• Like the MENTOR, the ION has become a class of its own. For many years, we have been making wings for pilots with great ambitions that demand a high level of passive safety. While we keep improving on the performance, handling and feel of the ION range, this has not made our wings more demanding to fly.
• New wing tip design: The profile has been optimized, the chord has been reduced and an additional cell has been added. The result is increased glide performance.
• Latest cloth innovation: Porcher Skytex 27 Classic 2 cloth is coated on both sides and therefore offers high durability at a low weight.
• Latest line materials: The PPSL65 from Liros are the thinnest sheathed lines on the market. We use them for the brakes and stabilo lines where they help us to reduce drag and make it easy to check lines before take-off.
• Optimized ballooning calculation: The wing’s ballooning significantly influences the stability, performance and handling. The ION 5 Light benefits from new modelling and simulation tools which helped us to improve the wing’s stress distribution.

Vera Polaschegg, para-mountaineer, cross-country and competition pilot weighs less than 50 kg.  What she says about the ION 5 Light XXXS:
“With the ION Light 5 XXXS, NOVA has designed a wing with which 50 kg girls - and light boys - can have a relaxed hike & fly experience, without the hassle of having to carry water ballast!  
Finally, we have the opportunity to dart like an arrow, rather than be blown like a leaf in stronger winds. And that on an EN B wing! I feel so safe on this wing that I have flown in thermals with just one hand whilst taking photos and videos with the other. With the XXXS we don’t land 5 km behind our larger colleagues, because the glide is unusually good for this little size. Another advantage: it turns very well without digging in.
And for the heavier pilots amongst us: the ION Light 5 XXXS is surely also a brilliant fun wing for strong wind days on the dune or hike & fly in strong wind conditions.”

On the 19th of July 2018, NOVA team pilot Berni Pessl flew the longest FAI triangle ever flown in Slovenia (244.37 km) on a NOVA ION 5 Light: With this flight he proved yet again how high-performing a low-end EN B wing can be in the hands of a excellent cross-country pilot. On the 16th of June he was already able to do a 145 km flight from the Stallersattel – with an average speed of over 30 km/h! Until he was washed down near Sterzing due the northerly wind, the Austrian pilot was able to keep up with several high-performance wings piloted by some world-class pilots.

Read the full story here

Berni Peßl

NOVA Team Pilot