1) EN A: ICARO Oxygen Paraglider: Light
Monday, June 7, 2010 at 4:14 Oxygen Paraglider Purchase Inquiry
The purity of expending your own energy to reach a mountain summit, and to be rewarded by a fantastic flight under gravity back down, is an eco-adventure that gets to the heart of how paragliding got started. Para-alpinists can now take advantage of the latest inspired paraglider design optimized to save weight: Icaro Oxygen.
Icaro Oxygen is light weight and compact, making it the ideal companion for the para-hiker. Oxygen is also optimized for take-off reliability and certified for maximum passive safety as class LTF 1 and EN A.
Oxygen belongs among the lightest mountain paragliders available on the market, while maintaining v-rib construction for optimum performance, and not being under-sized or under-built.
Thanks to the ultra light construction of the canopy, lines and risers, the Oxygen size M weighs only 4.2 kg, while size S is a mere 3.9 kg!
Engineered light weight materials
The sail material utilized is Dacron high quality Skyte 27g NCV Porcher Marine, carefully selected for its durability and resistance to UV-damage and reduced weight.
To ensure durability, lines are constructed of Liros Dynema and Edelrid Technora with HMA core (High Molecular Aramid) and a PE covering for the other lines. Different line diameters are used, depending on the line level.
The stitching within the sail and at the v-ribs is reinforced per the typical high Icaro standards.
A 4+1 riser system is used allowing for ease of big ears or high wind launch. 10 mm Kevlar with PE covering for protection (Race-Risers) and Maillon Rapide oval, 3.5 cm soft links are used to further enhance weight savings.
Light paragliders are subject to the same test criteria (load test, manoeuvres) as all other gliders. If these criteria are not met the glider will not get a seal of quality (LTF- certification).
The use of light weight materials results in a decreased pack volume which further benefits the hiking experience.
Available in two sizes: S and M for a take off weight from 65-130 kg.
Guarantee: 150 flight hours or 2 years porosity guarantee.
Oxygen & Energy Cross Convertible Harness: a Para-Alpinists Dream at 8.5 kg
Recognizing the trend back towards alpine trekking and flying, Icaro has designed a first class convertible paragliding harness, Energy Cross, when combined with the Oxygen Paraglider, complete the dream alpine kit. The elimination of the redundant backpack allows for further weight savings and reduction in total pack volume. With the Oxygen and Energy Cross the weight is a mere 8.5 kg, and will travel internationally at a pack volume not much larger than a traditional backpack.
Now that's free flying!