有著高安全性能及最佳越野表現的最新中級傘具.高拱頂及高展弦比針對要求操縱性和全速下需有最良好反應之飛行員為訴求.在追求速度及安全性要求上仍保有高性能表現的革新設計.
巡航速度為同等級傘具中之佼佼者.滑降比數值經知名雜誌測試證實為9.傘繩配置使得總長少於300米並為同階傘具之最.效能較其他設計改善10-20%
除L尺寸負載為上限情況下為EN A外其餘皆為EN B.短傘繩的設計使充氣起傘就連小孩都能輕易上手.
Characteristic 特徵
· 高拱頂在全速下有較佳的熱氣流盤旋及安全性展弦比5.4更達到滑翔的最高境界
·如瀑布般兩階的傘繩設計除了減少傘繩損耗降低阻力並在高速下有更平衡的轉彎表現· 重製傘翼前後緣使其在全速下有俐落地傘翼張力。
· 控制繩行程設計改進了操控時所需投入的力氣
· 傘衣對於塌陷有較高的抵抗性.整體而言舒適度與使用性上的改進達到較佳的平衡
· 內層為克維拉製輕薄的3組提帶特別平滑易於操作輕巧的加速系統WINDTECH ZEPHYR - Test
by Philippe Lami
有54個隔間側縫及交錯的翼肋，傘翼前緣由3組(傘尖則為6組)間隔組成、每一片隔間都標記有數字及小洞以便區隔。傘繩則組成3組薄(1公分)提帶，A&B組傘繩為兩階設計而C則分為4階；底層傘繩則由克維拉及Dynema外層加上抗紫外線表層此為其降低阻力之設計。組提帶上有簡單似耳朵的設計，及傘翼後緣可供清理傘翼內層的粘扣帶口袋。大控制環沒有環狀磁鐵連結到C組提帶。
During the Zephyr inflation it is impossible to make a mistake. Even in no wind condition the Zephyr inflates easily and quickly. You just need to slow it with the brakes (easy) to stop the wing to overpass you. In strong conditions this wing is very simple to handle. It shows no power which normally means a high trim speed. Once inflated the wing shows its special character: a high vault and a small tendency for the trailing edge to go upwards. You are airborne with few steps with a progressive wing loading.
First surprise: the speed hands up. You doff one's hat because the speed, and this is the opinion of all pilots I gave the glider for testing: In the speed
meter you read a value between 40 and 41km/h. This is a big change since normally I read 35 and 37 km/h in this kind of intermediate gliders. This is almost the speed of my tandem glider! And this is a great point in many situations: strong valley breezes, getting into a thermal… but also a disadvantage (for a short time) for the pupils. You must learn to control the excess of energy. Hands up this wing is a train, bottom surface is clean. Brake travel is longer than 70cm but you can really slow it down the first 20 cm. The wing volunteers to slow down to 22km (note that I am highly loaded for this size). The brake pressure
value before the stall is 3k.
The dutch roll control is well balanced and according to the certification. The thick profile makes a good job here by itself but you still have to pilot the wing. The certification results shows no surprise and the wind surges forward very little. On my side after many hours of flying in all kind of conditions I have never been surprised by a true collapse. This wind piloting is direct and precise and not very physical even in the strongest condition. In thermals you can handle it with lot of efficiency by a combination of weight shift and brake input. The minimum sink rate is 1.1m/s around 30 or 32km/h with a brake pressure of
2.1 for my wing load.
IN THERMALS
About thermals with the Zephyr I can talk for hours... without saying much. It is simple; it has not a single problem! Good sink rate, good performance, good pressure and good and precise communication with the pilot, without excesses. The extra speed gives the glider a great potential to attack into the thermal.
In a transition glide without using the speed bar the win
g glides really great. The glide angle varies from 8.8 (in a normal seating position) up to 9.1 (faired harness) This is amazing for this category of wing. Is there a reason to look for something else? Anyhow the safety-performance ratio is exceptional and it may change the natural establishment of the other superior categories… Only the handling precision and the side roll absorption may get the experienced pilot confused but this only for a short time.
I personally did find that the Zephyr is a fun wing to discover the great angles of acro maneuvers and other inversions without problems. It is an homogen
ous piece. You will be surprised by you wing overs quality.
The speed bar is soft in your feet and you can reach a speed above 51km/h. The glide angle only starts degrading when 50% of the accelerator is used.
Big ears? Easy, thanks to the baby A. They tuck inside the bottom and you need a brake pump to get a quick reopening or a left/right inversion. Piloting with the harness (when doing big ears) is easy.
You can do 360º tuns really quick. The exit for the normal 3
60 banking angles is spontaneous with a nice energy recovery. Finally the landing is accomplished by a progressive flare and a well marked stop. Make attention the first times not to transform this extra of energy on a fire.
CONCLUSION
Well I confirm it.The Windtech Zephyr flies really great. Almost as good as the hot gliders. It gives you a lot. Its speed hands up is a real alternative for the pilot that don't use the speed system, simple and basic. But it wasn't this the definition of paragliding during its beginning? ? As a plus there is a ligth version in 27g fabric. Oil, pure oil,
the best of oils… Meanwhile I took my decision I take this Zephyr for myself!
| [+] [-] · high trim speed · a small lack of |
MEASURES
Weight range tested glider: 75/95 kg
All up weight: 93 kg
Load test in flight review: 3,51 kg/m2 (93 Kg/25,45 m2)
Trim speed: 40 km/h
Maximum speed: 51 km/h
Minimum sink rate: -1,11 at 31 km/h, brake effort 2,5 kg
Maximum glide: 9 at 40 km/h
Stall speed: 22 km/h, brake effort 3 kg
• Bad • • Average • • • Good • • • • Excellent • • • • • Perfect
Flight manual not seen Rolling control • • • •
Preparation • • • • Turbulence resistance • • • • •
No wind inflation • • • • • Reopening behavior • • • • •
Windy Inflation • • • • Maximum speed pressure • • • • •
Brake precision • • • • Slow flying behavior • • • •
Manufacturer Windtech (Gijón, Spain)
Designers Álvaro Valdés and Gabriel Cañada
Production Gijón (Spain) and Sri Lanka
Above information from Windtech
