BGD Epic 2

Isabela Weir — Sun, 20 Nov 2022 19:57:42 +0000

INFO

The EPIC 2 is very safe and reassuring, accessible to low-airtime pilots but with handling and performance that experienced pilots will love.

We’ve improved the launch behaviour – the wing comes up smoothly and easily without overshooting. In flight, it’s slightly faster than its predecessor (+1km/h at trim, +3km/h top speed) and has improved glide. It’s also a great climber, especially in weak lift.

Long brake travel means you won’t accidentally stall or spin, but it is precise on the brakes with direct, playful handling. The EPIC 2 is safe and reassuring in strong air, but does not hide the bumps. At BGD we think feedback is really important: the wing tells the pilot about the conditions, and the pilot can anticipate and avoid collapses.

Like on the BASE 2, the new EPIC 2 risers have a B/C steering system for piloting the wing while pushing the bar and flying at speed.

TARGET

A safe, fun wing that’s a joy to fly. We’ve improved the performance while maximising safety, and the EPIC 2 is a versatile wing. It’s perfect for first cross-countries or a go-anywhere glider for weekend pilots. And, like the original Epic, it’s a great tool for getting to grips with your first freestyle moves. The test team can confirm it’s loads of fun for wingovers, SATs, heli’s and the like.

DESIGNER’S NOTES

The EPIC has been a very successful Low B wing. It was important to us to keep the accessibility and handling it was known and loved for, while improving performance. It has great glide and climbing ability, and a bit more speed than the original.

While it might look quite similar at a glance, design-wise a lot has changed. It now has 45 cells and an aspect ratio of 5.2, both slightly higher than on the original EPIC. The internal supporting structure is more intricate, but despite all this the glider weighs the same, 4.9kg for the M. The riser set is new, and the lines are a mixture of unsheathed higher up, and sheathed at the bottom.

The Epic 2 has short rods in the leading edge and none in the trailing edge, so it is easy to pack. The single-piece leading edge plastics are made of different materials: stiffer purlin in the central section with softer, more flexible supports towards the tips. It’s a light, elegant and effective method for shaping the leading edge.

As on the BASE 2 and CURE 2, there is a double skin on the lower surface of the leading edge. The internal pressure of the wing pushes on this lower skin which helps pressure it to maintain a clean and stable leading edge.

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MATERIAL

TOP SURFACE	Porcher Skytex 38g/m²
BOTTOM SURFACE	Porcher Eazyfly 40g/m²
INTERNAL STRUCTURE	Porcher Skytex hard finish 40g/m²
NOSE REINFORCING	Plastic wire 2,3 / 2,7mm
RISERS	12mm Kevlar / Nylon webbing
PULLEYS	Allen
TOP LINES	Edelrid 8000U
MIDDLE LINES	Edelrid 8000U
LOWER LINES	Edelrid PPSL and TSL
BRAKES	Liros DSL, PPSL

SPECS

	XS	S	M	ML	L
LINEAR SCALING FACTOR	0.92	0.96	1	1.04	1.08
PROJECTED AREA (M²)	17.7	19.4	21.1	22.8	24.5
FLAT AREA (M²)	21	23	25	27	29
GLIDER WEIGHT (KG)	4.4	4.6	4.9	5.1	5.4
TOTAL LINE LENGTH (M)	227	233	244	254	263
HEIGHT (M)	6.4	7	7.1	7.3	7.5
NUMBER OF MAIN LINES (A/B/C)	3/4/3
CELLS	45
FLAT ASPECT RATIO	5.2
PROJECTED ASPECT RATIO	3.8
ROOT CHORD (M)	2.5	2.6	2.7	2.8	3
FLAT SPAN (M)	10.4	10.9	11.4	11.8	12.3
PROJECTED SPAN (M)	8.2	8.5	8.9	9.3	9.6
TRIM SPEED (KM/H)	39
TOP SPEED (KM/H)	53
MIN SINK (M/S)	1
BEST GLIDE	9
WEIGHT RANGE (KG)	55-75	65-85	75-95	85-110	100-125
CERTIFICATION (EN/LTF)	B

The post BGD Epic 2 first appeared on Torrey Pines Gliderport.

Skywalk Chili 5

Isabela Weir — Tue, 03 Aug 2021 18:00:58 +0000

Our CHILIs have always offered the perfect complete package: they are the high-tech, performance reference in their class, while remaining easy to fly with a very manageable extreme flight behavior. With the CHILI5 we have succeeded in continuing this tradition. The glider flies intuitively as pilot and glider quickly become a single unit. This is especially noticeable when coring thermals. The core becomes easy to find and the glider climbs quickly.

Additional performance can be called up easily and efficiently in all flying conditions. As the first and only of our EN-B intermediates, the CHILI5 is equipped with the Skywalk SPEED CONTROL that helps XC pilots perfect their flying skills to achieve even higher average XC speeds.

With many innovations and small optimizations, we have once again managed to improve the CHILI in all areas to achieve maximum flying comfort and efficiency. The result is the best CHILI ever.

HOW DOES THE CHILI FLY?

Ground handling is easy thanks to the user-friendly line setup. Internal seams on the mini-ribs increase robustness during ground handling as well as launch preparations. The handling is very intuitive, and the glider gives you precise feedback, which builds confidence and makes you feel comfortable immediately. The CHILI5 takes on thermals well, so it’s extremely easy to find the core of the thermal. The CHILI5 is a fast climber. Brake line input is directly converted. Control travel and braking forces are designed to meet the requirements of thermal and XC pilots, so that you can still make a safe landing after many hours in the air. In turbulent air, the CHILI5 provides enough feedback to avoid glider disturbances before they happen. This increases safety and keeps you flying on course. When gliding in active air masses, the wing’s high aerodynamic efficiency can be further increased via the SPEED CONTROL. When flying on bar you can control the angle of attack via the rear risers and significantly increase your average speed.

Construction

In the CHILI5 we use a fabric mix of TX-Light and Dominico 30 DMF, which reduces the weight by ten percent compared to its predecessor, without any disadvantages in terms of robustness and aging resistance. The effect is not only noticeable in your rucksack, it also improves the flying characteristics.

In the usual CHILI manner, the CHILI5 shines with maximum performance, uncomplicated handling and an adequate safety cushion. Good, better, CHILI.

Technical Data:

Size	XXS	XS	S	M	L
Cells	57	57	57	57	57
Area flat (m²)	22,79	24,53	26,35	28,23	30,18
Area projected (m²)	19,54	21,03	22,59	24,20	25,88
Wingspan flat (m)	11,30	11,72	12,15	12,57	13,00
Wingspan projected (m)	9,04	9,37	9,71	10,05	10,40
Aspect ratio flat	5,6	5,6	5,6	5,6	5,6
Aspect ratio projected	4,18	4,18	4,18	4,18	4,18
min. profile depth (cm)	64	66	69	71	74
max. profile depth (cm)	244	253	262	271	280
Glider weight (kg)	4,5	4,8	5,0	5,3	5,6
Certified weight range (kg)	55 – 85	70 – 95	85 – 105	95 – 115	105 – 135
Homologation	LTF/EN: B	LTF/EN: B	LTF/EN: B	LTF/EN: B	LTF/EN: B

Your CHILI package

the high end intermediate comes with:
- 1x Glider backpack ALPINE
- 1x Compression strap
- 1x Innerbag for glider
- 1x Riser bag
- 1x BASIC GUIDE
- 1x Bandana
- 1x Self-adhesive repair patch

The post Skywalk Chili 5 first appeared on Torrey Pines Gliderport.

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