Nitinol is a high-strength, temperature- and corrosion-resistant shape memory alloy. The name Nitinol is an acronym for Nickel Titanium Naval Ordnance Laboratory.This material is well-known in medical technology, and for a long time Swing has been using it as leading edge reinforcement in paraglider design, one of the first paraglider manufacturers to do so.

 

The Nitinol reinforcements on the Sphera RS ensure a permanently razor-sharp leading edge and maximum quality of the profile. The reinforcements in the top and bottom sail are also made of this shape memory alloy, which is insensitive to buckling, temperature and moisture. This means that you can be sure that no unwanted deformation of the canopy will affect the performance of the Sphera RS, even if the canopy was not packed up or stored correctly.

 

Airflow Alignment

In the design of conventional paragliders, the cells are stitched the same distance apart across the chord, taken from a line drawn perpendicular to the leading edge in the centre of the wingspan. This however means that as you near the wingtips the cell stitching and internal ribs are actually not perpendicular to the leading edge, because the leading edge bends around in an arc towards the wingtips. This equates to the airflow actually crossing the cells, creating drag and turbulence. With the SPHERA RS we have aligned the ribs to the true airflow over the wing, meaning far less drag and turbulence, especially at the wing tips. The result is a far more efficient wing.

 

 

Sharknose

In order to increase the internal pressure in the front area of the wing at low angles of attack, a Nitinol-reinforced Sharknose adapted to the profile, ensures optimum stability at high speeds.

 

 

Pro Dry Aramid Lines

In the Sphera RS, Swing is using the latest generation of unsheathed aramid lines. The special Pro Dry coating reduces the moisture absorption of the line by -60%, and also increases both the UV resistance as well as the dirt resistance.

The lines are easily visible and easy to sort even without a sheath due to their magenta, blue and orange colouring. The high rigidity of the line material leads to a reduction in the formation of knots during use.

2 Level Risers

The riser configuration of the Sphera RS consists of a split A-riser and a B-riser. The split A-riser allows a differentiation of the angle of attack between the centre of the wing and the wingtips during acceleration, which results in an even change of angle of attack over the whole speed range. You can also perform “big ears” easily in combination with the speed system.
 

The ergonomic “T-Bar”, specially designed for the Sphera RS, can be quickly and individually fixed to the B-riser and facilitates canopy control via the rear risers.