Gradient Golden PAST MODEL Sports XC Paraglider We developed Golden as a successor of Onyx and because Onyx has been very successful and popular glider, the replacing of it was a really challenging job. The goal was to keep all good characteristics of Onyx and to improve what would be possible. Our job was complicated by new, stricter DHV standard for category 1-2. A glider of DHV 1-2 should be first of all well balanced in performance and behaviour. The most important for a glider of that class is to allow fly almost without "active flying" style. The canopy must be very resistant against collapses and when a collapse comes, the glider must not rotate fast and must be easy to stabilize it. The opening must be spontaneous, fast and smooth, without overshooting. A perfect launch and landing characteristic is a commonplace. During long, 15 month long-lasting development we used 11 prototypes with different canopy curvatures, different systems of attachment points and different systems of line suspension with 3 or 4 rows (risers). Experiments were also made on the shape and positions of the cell openings. Maximum attention was given to the relationship between the tension in the leading edge and trailing edge - when the tension in the leading edge and trailing edge of the canopy is well balanced, the glider feels compact, has good performance and gives perfect feedback to the pilot. If not, the canopy oscillates a lot or in the opposite, the performance and behaviour is bad. There are a lot of important parameters and only their optimal combination give a good result. It means that most important in development of a glider in this category is testing - and here our test pilots, lead by Ondrej Dupal, made a really good job. Gradient Golden > Design We decided to keep simple concept of Onyx. Golden has 42 cells only, suspension system with differing diameters of lines has three main risers (A riser is split), the new system of segmented diagonal ribs helps to reduce its number. All this elements bring some big advantages... Weight of the glider is very low - in size 28 less than 6 kg! (5.8 kg) including inner sack. Maximum simplicity which pilots will appreciate especially during the pre-flight checks and on launch. All main lines and middle level lines have the same lengths - it brings a chance very easy to check the condition of lines. Gradient Golden > Pilot Target Group Beginners : Yes (highly ambitious)Occasional and leisure pilots : YesExperienced pilots : YesCross Country pilots : YesCompetition pilots : No Gradient Golden > Size & Weight Ranges Size All-Up Weight Range Golden 22 55-70 Kg Golden 24 65-85 Kg Golden 26 80-100 Kg Golden 28 90-115 Kg Golden 30 105-130 Kg Gradient Golden > Certification Gradient Golden is certified DHV 1-2 in all five sizes. Gradient Golden > Standard Colours Blue Gold Grey-Blue Grey-Red Red Custom Colours for Gradient Paragliders It is possible to have your Gradient paraglider made with Custom Colours, but cost and availability for this will depend on the choice of colours. Any combination of standard colours should cost around £150 extra approximately. If 'special colours' are required, then please define what these are. Delivery time is quoted by Gradient as being about five weeks. Let us know your exact requirements and we will then find our the exact costing and expected delivery times for this. Once you have decided which Custom Colours you want, remember to make a note of this and include these details with your order.
