29.05.08

New range of instruments from Digifly

Italian manufacturer Digifly has introduced a new range of flight instruments for hanggliding and paragliding. In comparison with their previous products the new series features stronger cases made from a combination of aluminium and Nylon. The new user interface is more detailed and user friendly. Acoustics has been greatly improved. Software offers better organised screens, easier operation and more efficient power management. The one AA battery power source and 3 years warranty remain unchanged.
The basic model, Archimede (Replacing Flyer II) features again the excellent graphic altimeter and, surprise; the color is not orange but a professional black. It can be yours for mere $460.00. The “Plus” version offers for extra $70.00 besides of rather gimmicky functions (with no GPS interface they work only in a still air) like STF and McCready also a handy “Thermal Coring Function” and 2 dimension recording (barograph).
Cartesio Plus (replacing Cartesio II) is the perfect companion for a demanding XC or competition pilot. With a GPS interface it makes a full use of the glide related functions, waypoint and routes navigation and management. This is one of the most sophisticated instruments you can find and the price of $595.00 makes it easily affordable. The original “all in one” Graviter remains basically unchanged except for a new software similar to Cartesio Plus.

28.05.08
From the Paragliding Forum:

Forum: Wings   Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 7:36 am   Subject: Record flight

http://no.flightlog.org/fl.html?l=2&a=34&user_id=854&trip_id=166866 I just flew 230km with the AvaxXC2 on sunday. The old Swedish record is ca 150km. I flew together with my Friend Fredrik Lindholm (axis compglider), and we wll share the record if it's approved. I have only 4 flights in th glider, but as you must understanf, I really love it. Since I'm also Gradient importer of Norway i will not write a long story of what I think of the glider, exept that it was easey to fly the glider if you are allready used to Gradient gliders. For the last 4 years my glider have been the Gradient Seven, (different sizes), and this is my first XC since 2003, exept some small ones in Annecy with my acro glider Seven.

15.09.07

New glider - AVAX XC 2

The long awaited performance glider AVAX XC 2 is here. It took a while, possibly because Gradient was careful not to repeat the mistake with AVAX XC which didn’t pass DHV 2-3 certification in the end. So, AVAX XC 2 has been tested more extensively over a long period of time before being presented to the jury. Sizes 26 and 28 passed EN (European Norm) as C rated gliders what is rating corresponding to DHV 2-3. Sizes 24 and 30 will follow soon. My own glider size 28 has been just cleared by customs and it will be available for test flights from Tuesday. AVAX XC 2 is a typical representative of the latest performance gliders with parameters close to comp machines. It has a formidable aspect ratio 6.38 and a high number of cells (73) to assure a clean shape of the airfoil. Its weight has been kept very low: size 28 weights only 5.8 kg. As usual, Gradient is not trying to dazzle the market by amazing performance data, but anybody experienced with Gradient gliders knows what to expect. Just making sure there is no misunderstanding: The AVAX part of the name is no indication this glider is a down-tuned comp machine. AVAX XC 2 has been developed independently from the scratch as a performance glider and there are no compromises. This should be another “pilot’s” glider for demanding recreational XC pilots and aspiring comp enthusiasts.

A word about certifications: the EN standard is replacing DHV in all European countries (more info here http://www.cen.li/ ) except of Germany that still requires DHV certification – it is a German  organization after all - but it is obvious this situation can’t last too long. At this stage this is an expensive problem for manufacturers competing for the large German market as they have to pay for 2 certifications. In case of AVAX XC 2 Gradient decided not to go for DHV certification as the number of glider expected to be sold in Germany doesn’t justify the expense. However, Gradient is confident the glider would pass in DHV 2-3 category with flying colors and if there is enough demand, AVAX XC 2  will be put thru the DHV torture later on.

Flying overseas

Antoine Montant won Acro Vertigo 07 flying a special acro glider Gradient Seven 18. Vertigo is the highest rated acro competition in the world. To add to the value of this success, in the First Swiss Acro Championship held together with the international Acro Vertigo all three first places were taken by pilots flying Gradient Seven.

20.08.07

New radios

A 5W UHF 2 way radio is available now for less than $120. It comes with a rechargeable battery pack, drop in charger and a headset with added finger-mounted PTT button for installation in a full-face helmet. More info and photo here: http://www.paraglidingheadquarters.com/radios/html . The radios are in stock for immediate delivery.

Digifly instruments

There is a new firmware available for the whole range of Instruments http://www.paraglidingheadquarters.com/instruments/html available now. A significant improvement has been made in the area of data available and the screen layout in the Leonardo and Cartesio II flight computers. The changes are too numerous to be listed here. Please, visit the Digifly website http://www.digifly.com/ and download the upgrades and amendments to instruction manuals. My British counterpart has published and excellent set of FAQ, in case you want to know more, on his website http://www.digifly.co.uk/kbase/11/ . Also: Digifly flight computer are now approved for use in PWC competitions.

The owners of the basic vario Flyer II are getting a nice present as well: the new firmware version communicates with the latest Vltool software creating a cool electronic flightlog in an Excel format. All can be downloaded for free. The good news don’t end here. The only complain I was ever getting on the Flyer was, the acoustic wasn’t loud enough – it was mostly from HG pilots who are getting more wind noise. Digifly is aware of the problem and developed a retrofit amplifier that rectifies this shortcoming. The modification is free of charge (postage is at the owner expense) and I received permission to do the modification in Australia saving local owners a lot of time and money. So, if you don’t find your Flyer II loud enough, please contact me for a prompt service. The part should be here early September and the turnover will be just a few days. All new Flyers are coming with this modification as standard now. With the electronic logbook, graphic altimeter (besides of a host of other features) and 3 years warranty Flyer II stands out in the entry level class for only $435.

“Flying today” page

Due to a atrocious weather and a bit of travelling I was rather slack at updating this page http://www.paraglidingheadquarters.com/flyingtoday/html . It seems like the weather is improving – we had 2 flyable days in as many weeks ;-) at the coast so all is getting back to normal and this page will be updated 2 times a day as before.

08.05.07