described as being a lightweight Rush but lighter than the Swift 2. Also in the news, the Enzo 2 had been certified in small and large sizes and should be shipping by the time you read this. The next six to12 months should see a new Mojo 5 and a new, very basic school glider called “Elements,” more pod harnesses and a new XC harness based on the Ozium. The Magnum 3, the next iteration of their popular tandem wing, is due to begin design in 2015 as well. Ozone’s big news at the show was their new, ultra-superextra-lightweight harness, the F*Lite. Weighing UNDER 100g, made mostly of Dynema thread, it was designed on a bet and has an expected worldwide market of (maybe) 50 units. This whimsical effort of fancy is indicative of the way Ozone likes to design and build their products. Their teamof-four design engineers collaborate on all projects, all the time, while sharing office space and flying together every day. In the words of Fred Pieri, “Good wings attract good pilots.” And on their production/release schedule, “We release it when we like it,” prioritizing design above schedule and reinforcing the concept that there’s better value in the product when the designers, not the accountants, decide that it’s ready for market. Ozone’s main factory is in Viet Nam, where they also produce the popular line of Squirrel wing suits. NIVIUK is celebrating their tenth year in business and hosted a great party in their booth that seemed to go on for the entire event. Founded in 2005, Niviuk is an Inuit phrase expressing “the importance of small things,” which is represented in their high quality and pilot satisfaction ratings. Niviuk is headquartered in Spain and produces a full line of gliders that are manufactured and assembled in China. In 2015 they will be launching the Artik 4, a more comfortable and “good going” EN-C XC glider and a new Takoo 3 tandem wing. Their highly regarded Icepeak 7 is already shipping in the US. The Artik 4 is a completely new glider, not just an upgrade, featuring new design features like lighter-weight bottom-surface fabric and the omission of the trailing-edge rods, in an effort to mitigate premature wear and tear. It’s being positioned as a “grand touring” glider for advanced pilots doing big XC flights who want to enjoy flying. Shane Denherder at Team Fly Halo is distributing Niviuk’s motor products in the US. Kougar 2 and Doberman are said to be the first motor-wings to use the patented “Shark Nose” design features. ADVANCE’S Valery Chapuis explained that Advance was not at the show to sell products. They are focusing on displaying new products, like their new harnesses, the Lightness
2 and the Progress 2. The Advance Lightness 2 is a lightweight harness with pod (or “speed bag” in their parlance) that promises to be more comfortable, with better passive security and an integrated reserve. Announced at the Coupe Icare, the Lightness 2 is shipping in all three sizes now. Advance was showing their new all-around, reversible harness, the Progress 2, a split-leg harness with no seatboard. Weighing in at just under 3kg, Progress 2 makes for the perfect companion for a lightweight hikeable kit, when paired with the new Sigma 9. Advance was also talking about the latest version of their popular XC glider, the Sigma 9. Designed for the skilled and experienced XC pilot, the Sigma 9 sports a slightly smaller aspect ratio (5.8) and a better profile, which makes for a more agile and precise wing with better speed, stability and passive security. All that and a nearly 11:1 glide. By optimizing their materials use, they’ve created the lightest wing in its category, weighing only 4.5 kg. With their new lightweight harness, the entire, all-up kit weight is less than 10kg. Advance has managed to improve handling and performance without increasing demands on the pilot, making for a less “busy” flight. More precise handling characteristics allow the pilot to fly more reflexively Unannounced at showtime was their new category entry, a high-end B wing, the Iota. Designed using software developed by former Nova designer Hannes Papesch, the Iota promises to be an exciting new category of high-performing but comfortable wing.
Summing up The Coupe Icare is an experience not to be believed. If you haven’t been, then you owe it to yourself to add this event to your collection of flying memories. Find out more about Coupe Icare: www.coupe-icare.org. Tourist Office Plateau Petites Roches will advise you on accommodation options in and around the Plateau: camping, cottages, hotels, bed and breakfast: otpetitesroches@orange.fr.
An active mountain pilot and a vocal proponent for the sport and the organization for 20 years, Tim has enjoyed thousands of hours of airtime around (and above) Lookout Mountain in Golden, Colorado, over the past two decades. He’s flown paragliders and made friends at flying sites around the world. He holds USHPA T-3 and P-4 ratings.
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