Top Gun References

We recently graduated a   CF-18 Hornet Pilot from our Top Gun P2 Novice Paragliding Pilot program.  Read about his impressions of iParaglide.

iParaglide Location

We are the only paragliding resource center conveniently located in downtown Vancouver at 1238 Seymour Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, for all your paragliding needs.

iParaglide Flying Sites

We are central to paragliding sites in the Vancouver, Chilliwack, Pemberton and Bellingham area so students enjoy maximum variety and we can work with weather to optimize selection of the best location each day.

Right Stuff Equipment

We regularly test fly the latest paragliding gear and select only the very finest for our iParaglide Right Stuff Paragliding Equipment Store. This ensures our paraglider pilots enjoy a state of the art performance and safety advantage to accelerate their learning curve.

Paragliding Webcams

Vancouver Paragliding Webcams - get a view of cloud base to plan your paragliding cross country flight adventure.

Chilliwack Webcam

Hope Webcam 

Pemberton Webcam

Friday
Oct152010

G: Icaro Instinct XS Acro Paraglider:  Aerobatic

Acro for non-professionals? With Instinct XS Acro: no utopia. With no other paraglider you can learn SAT, Wing Over, Mc Twist and stall so safe, fast and controlled. With some training, even Helicopter and Tumbling are possible.

Everything with the felt safety of class LTF 1/1-2 and with "Breitenerprobung". Instinct XS Acro itself is not homologated, however, it has been put through the paces by Icaro. It is identical in construction with the homologated version Instinct XS except two key differences:

  • it is reinforced for heavy loads while doing aerobatic manoeuvres and the entire canopy is of normal strength sailcloth, not a lighter material like the Instinct XS.
  • it has a slightly bigger area than homologated Instinct XS.

What makes the Instinct XS Acro unique:

It is agile and dynamic. Especially on weight shift, it reacts immediately.

Never the less, it has long steering ways typical for gliders class LTF 1/1-2 which protect against inadvertent stalling.

It is extremely mistake-forgiving and therefore perfect for learning paragliding freestyle & aerobatics. With it you can coach your reflexes and train the manoeuvres calmly without demanding too much of yourself.

It is above all extremely easy in spin / negative and thus makes it easier to learn the Helicopter.

SIV coaches lend the Instinct XS Acro with pleasure to participants to fly their first full stalls, because it is simple to fly precisely, and in the case of a mistake, easy to control.

Instinct XS Acro Manual 

Instinct XS Acro Line Plan

Wednesday
Oct132010

B: Icaro Cyber 4 Paraglider EN A: Solid

The new Cyber 4 combines the best characteristics of its forerunner the Cyber 2+ with the innovation of the latest paraglider generation.  The Cyber 4 is the perfect schooling and beginner paraglider. It is extremely easy to launch and lifts the pilot smoothly and securely into the air.

Its gentle steering forces and extremely stable paragliding canopy ensures a trusting and relaxed feeling while flying. In comparison to the Cyber 2+ the handling is more free-moving, due to the increased wing flex. In turbulent air, it reliably absorbs turbulence and corrects pilots mistakes gently.

The beginner can put all his trust in this paraglider, for stress free and secure flying. With the new EN A certification, the paraglider is qualified for schooling and even more secure then its forerunner.

New highlights:

  • differentiate offset of the profile in the canopy to avoid a stable spiral
  • innovative c-stall aid for easy and quick descents, with less effort required than b-stall 

The sportive new wing plan form combined with the modern and elegant optic design and fresh colors give the CYBER 4 a very attractive appearance.

The CYBER 4 is the easiest way to enjoy flying in a carefree way.

Target group: For beginners with little to intermediate flight experience with the desire to get maximum security.  An easy to fly first paraglider, with improved handling and efficient and easy to operate aids to descend quickly.

*) HP = Tested by manufacturer. The XS size of CYBER 4 has been developed especially and was put through its paces by Icaro test pilots. Even without LTF/EN-certification, Icaro affirms, that the flight behavior of the XS size CYBER 4 is the same as the other sizes.

Cyber 4 Manual

Cyber 4 XS 55kg Test

Cyber 4 XS 75kg Test

Cyber 4 S DHV Report

Cyber 4 M DHV Report

Cyber 4 L DHV Report

Tuesday
May192009

Icaro Cyber 2 Paraglider LTF1: Fun

 

The Cyber 2 is a landmark DHV 1 paraglider featuring a flat aspect ratio of 5.24, among the highest in its' class. Use of v-ribs and lines only every other cell enable the Cyber 2 to deliver intermediate performance while maintaining the safety of a first paraglider. Highlights include:  

  • v-ribs
  • exceptional aspect ratio of 5.24
  • performance: accelerates up to 47 km/h with excellent sink values
  • high passive safety: DHV 1

Due to the outstanding features, the Cyber 2 is a legend amongst paragliding schools. High passive security make it suitable for first flights to intermediate flying and the longevity of this classic design are testament to the strengths of this ideal first paraglider. 

Cyber 2 has exceptional take off behavior: it fills easily, quickly and reliably. The wing gives the pilot a very safe feeling every moment in flight, even in turbulence, thanks to the stable canopy. 

Performance and handling are second to no other DHV1 class paraglider.  By contrast, even experienced pilots are amazed at its fine handling and excellent gliding abilities. 

Cyber 2 is the right choice for every pilot who wants to relax and enjoy flying without having to change his wing every couple of years.

Cyber 2 Line Plan

Cyber 2 Instruction Manual

Cyber 2 M DHV Report

Cyber 2 L DHV Report

Xandi Meschuh

Alexander Meschuh, Professional Acro Pilot

After an exhausting competition season I was looking forward to our adventure trip through the Abruzzi. Relaxed flying and discovering new landscapes.  Due to the unforgiving take-off from the cliffs, I selected the Cyber 2 from the loading ramp of the Land Rover.  A moment later, I was 8 meters away from the cliff edge, ready for take off.  The Cyber 2 paraglider filled immediately and even before I could set my last step at the edge of the cliff, the DHV 1 wing had lifted me softly into the 3rd dimension. In this season of the year, the thermals in the alps of Maiella are still very demanding.  The wing draws its curves neatly. With a totally relaxed and secure feeling, the lively DHV 1 paraglider takes me back to cloud base.  I enjoy the play with thermals, observing the rock walls, and in the moment,  an arising cloud.  An incredible feeling of freedom, with the assurance to have a loyal companion with me.

Thursday
May142009

E: Icaro Maverick Paraglider LTF2: Top Gun

 

“An impeccable XC wing with outstanding handling and top glide";  "shows its strengths in weak conditions"; "fantastic flat or banked turns";  "high performance without stress”; "Icaro Maverick - magnificent!": these are just some of the quotes from Maverick pilots and magazine reviews. 

DHV XC 2010 Leader: Cross Country with Grace  

Recognized worldwide as among the most desired in its DHV 2 class.  An astounding 9 hour, 221 kilometer cross country triangle was flown by pilot Werner Schutz on 05/06/2010, using his beloved and trusted Maverick.  

The Maverick's impressive optical appearance and shape is like that of higher class DHV2-3 gliders and is matched by its abilities: easy launch behavior; crisp flat or banked turns in thermals; class leading glide of 9.3:1; and well behaved and damped in turbulence.

Maverick is empowered with an array of state-of-the-art performance enhancing material selection and design, gleaned from competition and the latest R & D:

  • Professional racing risers;
  • Four different sail cloths which are selectively used according to tension and weight;
  • A mix of five different line diameters in Dyneema and Kevlar, with competition lines  in upper cascades;
  • partially closed leading edge;
  • performance-air intake-flaps open for launch and seal up during flight;
  • and a flat and projected aspect ratio typically only found on DHV 2-3 gliders. 

 

All of these unique attributes give the Maverick its definite performance edge on other DHV 2 gliders and allow it to fly on par with higher class DHV 2-3 wings.  

Independent review by the French Paragliding Magazine, Vol Libre, confirmed the superior handling and glide of 9.3:1 for the Maverick,  scoring it the best amongst the DHV 2 gliders reviewed.  "ICARO gliders deserve the success. The sports class glider Maverick is a very well engineered product: seductive!" - Vol Libre 

Even opened right up, at full throttle, Maverick can still be easily steered and controlled. This makes it a favorite amongst sport class competitors and a winner in OLC events.

Summary

We recommend test flying Maverick for your self.  Ideal for paraglider pilots who are either upgrading, or who have grown beyond flying overly demanding competition wings, and now favor real performance within the safety of a DHV 2 wing.  

Further, faster, higher: the Maverick combines first-class glide with beautiful agile handling, for top of the stack thermalling capabilites and the calming relaxed sensation of high passive safety in air.

A real “wellness” wing.

Maverick Vol Libre Magazine Review

Maverick 9 Hour 221 km Cross Country Triangle 

Maverick Line Plan

Maverick Manual

Maverick XS @55kg Test

Maverick XS@75kg Test

Maverick S DHV Report

Maverick M DHV Report

Maverick L DHV Report