Fly For Fun is NOVA Testcenter
Test reports, NOVA Paraglidersnew models: | | 
| Primax, classification 1 Development Story:
We're very proud of a premiere: First time in NOVA history we are able to present you a new wing, already having
certified it in 5 sizes!
Even DHV 1 is the hardest certification class, our development team was able to have the PRIMAX XXS, XS, S, M and L successfully tested by the DHV test pilots. Even the XXS (19sqm) passed the DHV test flight successfully without any problem!
Based on the SYNTAX, the PRIMAX is even safer: even better damping around all axes, even more brake travel, even softer reactions in all manoeuvres.
It's safety is unbelievable, which made it very easy to
pass all certification test flights for all sizes in such a short time. The concept is very forgiving: For the XXS it was for example not necessary to change a single line length from the Computer calculated prototype! Only the brakes were adapted. So the optimal trim was already there: no loss in performance, comfort or handling. No compromises, no work for our test pilots. :-) |
To develop the PRIMAX was the easiest job we ever did: after we decided to make a DHV 1 wing out of the SYNTAX, the very first prototype already worked perfectly. So we had time to do some aging simulation: we washed a PRIMAX wing for hours in a big US army washing machine to be sure that it will last long in even the hardest conditions (more details and pics later). As expected: the famous Gelvenor cloth was
undestroyable!
And the best of all: it's real funny to fly! Even having long brake travel, the wing reacts quite direct to brake inputs. Wingovers are easy, the performance and handling in thermals are great.
Safety:
Like the SYNTAX, it doesn't spiral with more than 15m/sec without special input. All spirals are exiting very soon. The roll damping is perfect. It's hard to fly a negative: it lasts a while until it begins to turn negative with full brake pulled.
When you just release the brake a little, the wing begins turning positive again! The collapses are very soft, reopening fast but smooth. Very little turning, very little surging.
Technical Changes:
The PRIMAX has the following changes over the PHERON:
- very different canopy construction: diagonal ribs: very few attachments, very few lines: less drag, better performance
- different
airfoils (based on the Syntax): very soft collapsing, extremely good low speed behaviour - more aggressive sail tensions: handling, wing rigidity
- canopy curve, line length: handling, better roll stability
Design:
Corresponding pilot profile:
Technical data:
Manual: Download (PDF) | |
DHV test reports:
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| Mamboo, classification 1-2 Development Story:
Mid of 2003 the DHV (German Hang gliding Association) decided to tighten the requirements for the 1-2 class. Wings are now only allowed to surge forward for 45 degrees after an asymmetric collapse (even accelerated). New 1-2 wings need to be a lot less dynamic after collapses than those of the older 1-2 class. We worked to build a successor to our successful model ARTAX at least as good as the wing we would have built had there
been no changes in the certification rules.
The main goal for the whole MAMBOO / TATTOO family was to make the handling easier and more comfortable with less brake pressure and better reaction to smaller brake inputs. We tried to realize the perfect handling wing by building many different prototypes. After playing around with modifications of the AERON, which didn't offer the big step we wanted, we tried some unusual planforms, different airfoils and experimented a lot with the sail
tension. We also experimented with many different wing curves, brake geometries and trims. I needed a while and around 20 prototypes to get a wing which satisfied all of our demands. |
With the MAMBOO we found the right balance. The brake pressure is light but the feedback is still good. The glider needs only a little input to react
but the brake travel is still long enough for the 1-2 certification. Although the wing is agile and very dynamic in turns, the thermalling performance in weak lift is the best we have ever had in this class.
For some time now the 1-2 class has been the real intermediate class. Because of this fact, NOVA offers 2 wings in this class: the low level 1-2 wing SYNTAX, which is also suitable for beginners, and the MAMBOO, which is a high performance wing that offers a maximum of performance
and speed. Because of this synthesis of a very high safety level and maximum performance, the MAMBOO is the optimal wing for a broad range of pilots
Our test pilots made lots of careful comparison flights to measure the performance of the MAMBOO. Of course the computer made some very accurate simulations, but real wing to wing comparisons with a reference wing is still essential. During these comparisons the MAMBOO clearly dominated over its predecessor ARTAX in both max. glide and
max. speed.
Visually comparing the MAMBOO with the ARTAX, the MAMBOO leaves a much more slim and elegant impression: the lines are longer, the aspect ratio is much higher and the wing curve is more harmonious. We also managed to improve the finish of the cloth: the surface is smoother, single cells have less flare and fewer wrinkles.
As usual for NOVA wings, the airfoil of the MAMBOO is a new development. Because of the stricter certification demands our goals were not easy to
reach. The airfoil not only needed to offer great performance and very dynamic handling, it also had to provide optimal collapse and recovery behaviour.
The combination of these elements forms an outstanding unit. The NOVA MAMBOO sets the new benchmark for performance and dynamics in the new 1-2 class. Despite the stricter certification rules, this new wing exceeds its predecessor in all disciplines.
Technical Changes:
The MAMBOO has the following changes over the ARTAX:
- much greater flat and projected aspect ratios ->less drag
- smaller surface -> speed, dynamic
- newly developed airfoil -> more performance, smoother collapses, better handling
- more aggressive sail tensions -> handling, wing rigidity
- cleaner surface -> less flare, fewer wrinkles
- canopy curve, longer lines -> handling, roll stability
- line geometry (the MAMBOO has main D lines) -> more defined shape in the trailing edge, better handling
- new wingtip shape -> better aerodynamic efficiency
- some new internals (holes, diagonals..) -> better inflation, stiffer, cleaner build-up
- speed system -> more speed
What remains unchanged: - number of cells
- sweep angle
- position of intakes
- some materials: the MAMBOO is still built from the very robust Gelvenor cloth, enabling us to give also the 3 years material and the 1 year full protect guarantee!
Main characteristics:
The MAMBOO is a high performance wing in the DHV 1-2 class for occasional pilots. It offers very dynamic handling, extraordinary thermalling performance and top level glide ratio and speed.
The NOVA
MAMBOO demonstrates in an impressive way the possibilities of up-to-date paragliding development by using very modern technical tools in combination of many years of practical experience.
The MAMBOO impressed our test team most with its dynamic handling, its very impressive performance and its smooth reactions during extreme maneuvers.
Design:
Corresponding pilot profile:
Technical data:
Manual: Download (PDF) |
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DHV test reports:
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| Tattoo, classification 2 Development Story:
After the big success with the RADON family (ARTAX, AERON,
RADON), we collected feedback from many pilots, and from this made a to-do list for our further developments.
The main goal was to make the handling easier and more comfortable: less brake pressure, better reaction with smaller brake inputs. With lots of different prototypes we tried to realise the perfect handling wing. After trying around with modifications of the AERON, which didn't offer the big step we wanted, we were trying some untypical groundshapes, different airfoils and
played around a lot with the sail tension. We were also experimenting with lots of different wing curves, brake geometries and trims. I needed a while and around 20 prototypes to get a wing which was satisfying our demands.
With the TATTOO we found the right balance:
The brake pressure is light, but the feedback is still good.
The glider needs only a little input to react, but the brake travel is still long enough.
Although the wing turns agile and very dynamic, the
thermalling performance in weak lift is the best we ever had in this class. |
Another goal was to offer a wing, which is flyable by a big target group. It should be a normal high level intermediate glider, with not too high demands. So the TATTOO is offering a high safety potential: it collapses quite smooth and gives the pilot
enough time to react. It doesn't have any tendencies for line tangles and is quite easy to control in even extreme manoeuvres.
And last but not least, the new wing should certainly offer a higher performance level than it's predecessor. So we had to find an airfoil which is offering the smooth collapsing behaviour and the ability to be very fast and stable. In that point we were a bit lucky: One of the first schemes worked very well and it only needed to be changed slightly for the
serial wing. In the concept of the TATTOO the airfoil is the key to the good performance, as the aspect ratio is slightly smaller than that of the AERON. In addition to that, the higher safety level offered by the airfoil made it possible to keep the wing in the computer calculated, performance optimized trim. So no compromises (e.g. higher angles of attach in the wingtips) were needed, to reach the safety level necessary for the certification class 2.
Including a cleaner shape near the
trailing edge, these improvements are enabling the TATTOO to offer even a bigger performance level than that of the AERON. - and that means a lot as the AERON was still the performance leader in the DHV2 class, as the TATTOO was introduced.
To reach good performance and stability at higher speeds, the speedsystem is changing the airfoils shape and characteristic:
In normal speed the airfoil is formed to offer best possible thermalling abilities.
When accelerated, the airfoil's shape is optimized for speed and pitch stability.
Technical Changes:
The TATTOO has the following changes over the AERON:
- The stabilo has one cell less (per side): less wrinkles
- The profiles are absolutely new: more performance, smoother collapses, better handling
- more aggressive sail tensions: handling, wing rigidity
- canopy curve, longer lines: handling, roll stability
- lines geometry (the TATTOO has main D lines): more defined shape in the trailing edge, better handling
- smaller surface: speed, dynamic
- some internals (holes, diagonals..): better inflation, stiffer, cleaner buildup
- speed system
What remains the same: - sweep angle
- position of intakes
- some materials: the TATTOO is still built from the very robust Gelvenor cloth, enabling us to give also the 3 years material and the 1 year full protect guarantee!
Main characteristics:
The TATTOO is an intermediate DHV2 wing for experienced pilots. It offers a very dynamic handling, extraordinary thermalling performance and top level glide ratio and speed.
Through it's soft brake pressure, the direct reaction on pilots input and the very balanced safety behaviour, it enables long and relaxed distance flights as well as impressive flights in even difficult conditions.
The TATTOO convinced our testteam most with it's dynamic flying in thermals and it's straightforward safety.
Design:
Corresponding pilot profile:
Technical data:
Manual: Download (PDF) | |
DHV test reports:
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| Radon, classification 2-3 Development Story:
The RADON gave the name to the RADON family. It was our originally plan to develop a class 2-3 glider. During the progress, we made several protos with different aspect ratios and cells. So there was one which had much less cells, less lines, and the safety potential
of a class 2 model. Although the Computer predicted a very high performance of the new wing, we could not believe it until it was proven by a practical test. The Computer was right: same hands off speed glide and even better high speed glide compared to the originally, much more complex 2-3 prototype. Further prototypes and comparisons with new attempts to reach better performance and stability with a higher aspect ratio and a more complex build-up showed, how balanced, performant, safe and
stable the concept of the AERON (DHV2) was. The new protos could not beat the AERON with the thin lines. It was our goal to give the best glider of all this RADON family members the name RADON. So we decided to tune the AERON by mounting thinner lines and optimising the handling for advanced pilots by changing the brake line geometry. The final RADON was born. |
Our goal was to reach a DHV rating of 2-3. Finally we were surprised to get a 2 with it. So we have 2 class 2 wings now, having the same tech data, but being targeted to different pilots groups. The AERON is an advanced intermediate wing, while the RADON is a wing for very engaged pilots, flying comps or competing in the cross county discipline. The thin lines of the RADON need more attention, the shorter brake travel and more precise reaction on brake input
need a more advanced pilot. The trim speed of the RADON is slightly higher than that of the AERON, the wing is over all more dynamic and powerful.
The fist enthusiastic feedback on our new high performance glider is telling us, that our decision was right. The pilots are praising the RADON`s performance, stability and extraordinary safety for a highest level serial competition wing.
Special Technical Details:
It was our goal to expand the flyable speedrange to
a higher level. To keep the perfect tension of the brake line in every position of the speedsystem, the RADON has a new brake line transition system (BTS). The brake pulley is moving up by accelerating the glider. So it is possible to keep the brake line tight in normal flight to have the best feeling and feedback and still the trailing edge is clean and the glider very performant and fast by pushing the speedsystem.
Design:
Corresponding pilot profile:
Technical data:
Manual: Download (PDF) | |
DHV test reports:
| | 
| Syntax, classification 1-2 Basic idea:
The basic idea was to make a sucessor of the legendary X-act that combines the perfect damping
(absorbability) and easiness of the X-act with a modern buildup, techniques and materials. Easy turning with perfect damping. No hard collapses, very soft in all maneuvres.
Claim: it has to be pure and effective: no frippery, reduced to the essence.
Improvements: faster in trim, higher max. speed, even better safety (surging, collapses, min. speed), off course more performance. | Main characteristics:
Safety: We never had a wing with a bigger tolerance: You can change the trim massively, the tensions, suspensions, even the airfoil the wing is still very safe!
Handling: very forgiving and pure fun. It has an extremely low minimum speed and a very long max. brake travel. I never flew a wing that turns so flat and narrow (specially towards the rock walls of the Rofan). Also
top landings are very easy. The perfect combination between good agility and turning and a perfect damping is unique.
Performance: The real wolf in the sheep's clothing! You can fly it very radical in thermals, outclimbing nearly everything when the thermal is narrow and tricky or you have to fly very small 8s near the relief. Gliding is surprisingly good.
Technic: some new materials, some new technics. Because of the high safety level, we had time to optimise some new ideas and
combine them with picked up old ones.
Technical data:
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DHV test reports:
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Nova Syntax easy walking, classification 1-2
The Syntax Easy Walking passed the DHV tests!
The Easy Walking is a light version of the Syntax. In contrast to special, fragile extreme mountaineering wings, the Easy Walking is a durable wing for normal usage. By using a
new, light cloth, smaller quick links, the slim risers and reduced reinforcements, the weight was reduced by 15% (1 kg). | |
DHV test reports:
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| Artax We wanted to build a glider that behaves very safely in every situation but
still has the performance of a high perf. machine. The ARTAX is the result: The optimum solution of a high performance wing for a big target group of pilots. - easy start behavior at different wind conditions
- perfect handling
- excellent performance
DHV test reports,
classification 1-2: | |
| Aeron Our
testpilots used all their skills and experience to give the AERON a very performance oriented, dynamic and balanced handling. The brake pressure is just right, gives you the perfect feedback. In turns the AERON stays very neutral: it is easy to turn very tight and flat. It is a pleasure to climb in weak thermals. In strong thermals you will enjoy the new airfoils stability: the glider doesn't drop behind the pilot on entering a thermal and does not lose performance in turbulence. The AERON is
not nervous: this wing is full of energy, but still relaxing!
It was our goal to expand the flyable speedrange to a higher level. To keep the perfect tension of the brake line in every position of the speedsystem, the AERON has a new brake line transition system (BTS). The brake pulley is moving up by accelerating the glider. So it is possible to keep the brake line tight in normal flight to have the best feeling and feedback and still the trailing edge is clean and the glider very
performant and fast by pushing the speedsystem. DHV test reports,
classification 2: | | 
| Phor2 Tandem: | | 
| DHV test reports,
Phorus, classification 1 |
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DHV test reports,
Pheron, classification 1 | | 
| DHV test reports,
Phelix, category 1 | | 
| DHV test reports,
X-Act, classification 1-2 | | 
| DHV test reports,
Carbon, category 1-2 | | 
| DHV test reports,
X-Ray, category 2 | |
| DHV test reports,
Argon, category 2-3 |
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