Santacroce takes away the mystery behind lightweight and normal paraglider technology. What is your experience with these different fabrics? Like, subscribe and share your thoughts in the comments below!
Good video! On a personal mark, my gradient bright 3 lasted until 5 days ago( since 2006!!!) Flying in harsh costal conditions. I was the 3rd owner. And my brother uses an old airwave sport 2, tested it last year, still 800+ seconds and perfect tear result! So my next gradient, as heavy duty grade fabric as I can get
Thanks Chris! My Roadster 3 is heavier fabric and comes up like a dream,nil wind,even when wet with trimmers closed. Cant imagine a lightweight glider,must have phenomenal inflation and launch characteristics. Is it true that the Dominator K2 or whatever its called is just as strong as a heavy glider,just curious?
Lightweight wings actually can last longer than regular heavier paragliders due it is much much easier to lift and handle and as result light paragliders are less subject of dragging and handling on the ground than regular paragliders. You just drop light paraglider mushroom on the ground, lift it and fly avay with minimal struggling and significantly less abrasion and dragging. You don't even need to lay lightweight paraglider on the ground likewise you have to do with regular wings, lightweight wing can pop up without any proper laying, just from mushroom shape like it goes out of concertine with minimal or no wind. No dragging, no abrasion. Abrasion stress is the one of the most aging factors on paragliders, and lightweight wing just experience less of such stress.
I'm looking for a normal paragliders because lighter paragliders seem to inflate too easily in strong wind. Maybe the issue is not about durability but security. And if you are more in control on the ground, you might avoid some incidents with dragging and so on... and improve durability? I don't fly in the mountains, I need stronger wind to make the best of the sites, I might need a heavier wing. A different reasoning might imply in the mountains.
What about the risers & lines? Do the lightweight gliders also use lighter materials for lines? Hike & fly in the west often involves time spent in weeds and bushes, where unsheathed lines can be a nightmare.
Look for double coated light fabrics. Airdesign gliders has this fabric. UP Kangri has super fabric also. Light but durable. Advance light wings has shorter life like my 27gr p m2 oxa2
