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The new Astral 7 is here!! The Astral 7 is a flawless 3 liner, and comes with a number of fundamental innovations and
improvements, which create new, trend-setting priorities in glider
development at Swing....
our best Astral yet!
 
FT - Frame Technology
The most important feature is the use for the first time of frame
technology, or "FT". The idea of using plastic wires and other
strengthening materials in a fixed system for the leading edge is not
new. However, a closed frame provides pressure stability in all
directions and thus much better profile accuracy and greater resistance
to canopy stability problems than open systems.
Less is more
As a flawless 3-liner with optimised hybrid line system, the Astral 7
can offer reduced line drag and improved performance especially in
accelerated flight. The saving in line materials is a full 18.5% -
that's 60 metres for the size 24 compared to the glider it replaces.
Glide performance could be improved by a good 0.5 points by the
reduction in residual resistance in combination with the new profile and
use of 3D-shaping to optimise tension. An ideal combination of canopy
curvature and pilot position ensures greater canopy stability, higher
projected aspect ratio and an optimum compromise between damping and
handling.
There is one respect, however, in which there is no difference at all
between the Astral 7 and its predecessor – the feeling of delight which
experienced cross-country pilots will feel the first time they fly this
glider. Didi Siglbauer turned even a maiden flight on the first
prototype into an impressive FAI triangle of 205km, and he flew a
further 235 km triangle soon afterwards. So any pilot who would like to
be completely satisfied with a paraglider would be well-advised to
test-fly the Astral 7 straight away.
Astral 7…
our best Astral yet! |
