5) EN C: ICARO Maverick 2 Paraglider: High Performance

Friday

Jul012011

Friday, July 1, 2011 at 11:34

The design brief for research and development team of the Maverick 2 paraglider was to stay on the leading edge, and create the ultimate cross country paraglider, that would not only be at the very top of the ENC class, but that would also hold its own even against higher class END paragliders. Adding to this complex challenge, it was deemed essential to extend the sweet handling and excellent passive safety of the original Maverick paraglider.

Creating the Next Generation of ENC Paraglider

The team decided that a completely new paraglider design was required, so several innovative concepts were explored as the design evolved.

The first protoypes were true 2-liners and achieved good performance. However the absence of quick and easy descent aids including big ears and b-stall, combined with the more complex and less intuitive handling of 2-line systems, moved the design team in a different direction.

The next protos had an increased aspect ratio. But further refining was necessary.

The third generation of prototypes incorporated a hybrid 3-line concept and had ideal, crease free sail tension with a razor sharp trailing edge and good handling.

3D-Shaping and reworking the profile resulted in further significant improvements to performance and handling: the Maverick 2 was born.

The Maverick 2 is empowered with 67 cells, 6.06 flat aspect ratio and an impressive 5.01 projected aspect ratio. This is a significant shape change from the original Maverick which was 55 cells, flat aspect ratio 5.96 and projected 4.81. A significant increase in the number of cells and flattening of the canopy arc-curvature.

While the design represents the cutting edge of what is available in the ENC range, handling and safety have been optimized to have good natured characteristics, similar to the original Maverick. Pilots upgrading from the original Maverick , will immediately feel comfortable and will be able to indulge in the experience of this new performance dimension.

Cutting Edge Technology

New Performance Profile. Thanks to new proprietary software, ICARO can diagnose the virtual profile (between ribs through inflated section) more precisely, allowing optimization. Thus, the 3D model corresponds more exactly to the real thing. The new profile brings more performance and stability.

Battens. Flexible and extremely light nylon battens give the profile the shape and distribute the load of the A-line attachments. The battens are less delicate than the well known Dacron reinforcements. This gives the paraglider outstanding leading edge characteristics and a great inflation.

Recessed A-tabs. The A-tabs are further back from the leading edge than typical. An auto-stabilizing system: if the wing load increases suddenly, in strong turbulence, the angle of attack increases slightly. The effect is similar to braking the paraglider, without pilot input, and occurs more quickly. The gain in stability is pronounced.

3D Shaping. To adjust the blown up profile (blue) to the desired profile (white)the difference is rectified by an arched sail cut at the highest point (red). This important cross stitching detail on the upper sail leading edge improves performance!

Trailing Edge Mini Ribs. Creating an impeccable sail at the trailing edge has been achieved through the addition of mini ribs.

Light Internal Construction. All non structural internal components are made with 27 gram Skytex material. This reduces weight and also improves the extreme flight behavior. The Maverick 2 is 300 grams lighter than its already light predecessor.

New Race Risers. Cross country paraglding flights often require standing on the speed bar for extended periods. The new speed system pulleys and a B-redirection reduce the effort by 30%, alleviating cramps in the legs.

Equipped with ICARO's patented TSO Trim Speed Optimizer Risers, the paraglider can be individually adjusted to optimize for pilots loading, aging or sub-zero temperatures. The Maverick 2 will continue to fly at its optimum trim for years to come.

Hybrid 3-Liner. Two and three line paragliders have a disadvantage: they develop a hump due to greater wing depths between the last row of line attachments and the trailing edge, while braking, per arrow in photo above. This hump distinctively detracts from the precision and climb rate. The first Maverick 2 proto was a pure two liner, the second was a pure 3 liner. The final Maverick 2 paraglider incorporates additional D support, which will only go under tension while braking. In this manner, the hump while braking is eliminated, and the advantages of a 3 liner are preserved. The result is a beautiful, crease free, optimized airfoil.

The Maverick 2 is Very Fast

Cross country flying is optimized through a high trim speed, offering more distance in the same time. The trim speed on the Maverick 2 is approximately 10% faster than the original. For example, the Maverick 2 would fly 220 km in the same time the original would fly 200 km!

The top speed on full speed bar has also been extended 6-8 km/hr, compared to the original, and also the stability at 50% speed bar is much higher. The Maverick 2 on half speed bar is as fast as its forerunner on full speed bar, but at the same time is more stable and with a better glide.

More Stable than Ever

Stability is always a requirement. The more stable the better. The technology employed in the Maverick 2 paraglider with performance profiles and battens with the A-tabs set back from the leading edge, enables more stability and safety.

In fact due to the increased stability, simulating/creating asymetric collapses in SIV training is more difficult.

Easy Launch

The Maverick 2 does not share the traditional tendency of performance paragliders to shoot forward and lift the pilot prematurely in strong winds. Pilots will be pleasantly surprised to find that even in strong winds, it is comfortable to smoothly lead the Maverick 2 to the apex overhead, without surging and with a high level of control of the precise moment of takeoff. An impressive score of ENA for launch confirms the beautiful and simple launch characteristics of the Maverick 2.

Precise Handling

With its increased wing loading and new profile, the Maverick 2 shines with polished and agile handling allowing pilots to center on even the narrowest meandering thermal cores. It can be either turned flat or rolled abruptly using brake and weight shift combinations, as appropriate, to the type of thermal engaged.

What we love best

When gliding in calm air the Maverick² is at the top of the ENC paraglider class. When thermal bumps are encountered, or when flying against the wind, the Maverick² is clearly in front: every movement of air is transferred reliably into height, like with competition paragliding protos of the open class, and the canopy pulls ahead.

It also shares the high stability of the competition paragliders when flying fast on speed bar.

Test and Compare

High performance claims can be heard from all paragliding manufacturers. Slick marketing campaigns and slogans should not replace true innovation.

With the MAVERICK², extensive design details bring a comprehensible reality. We absolutely recommend test flying the Maverick 2 and comparing against other reference gliders in side-by-side flight!

Pilot Feedback

"Yesterday I flew my new Maverick 2. You have not exaggerated with the promised points in comparison to the original Maverick 1. To tell the truth, I have never felt so fine under a wing! In 5m/s thermals, it knifes in to the thermal core. Top landing is a true joy. Big praise to ICARO, it is pure pleasure flying with the Maverick 2."

"Accelerated and at full throttle is a true joy... couldn't stop the grin all over my face. I have never flown so fast ... and did not even lose substantial height!"

"Impressive speed: at first I thought I was flying with a tail wind. Then I flew back over my path: as fast as before. Cool!"

"As described in your information, the Maverick 2 takes off with zero wind as well as with strong wind very easily. This is true, I can confirm that."

"When flying thermals, soaring, or even only a sled ride down the mountain, I always draw a comparison between my Maverick 2 and other wings of this class. Doing so, the speed advantage strikes immediately (catching up to colleagues), and how fast it engages the thermals and converts them in a fast climb."

"...it flares so nice :)"

"…it runs solid...like on rails...unbelievable"

"… thank you very much for the test flight! Now I must persuade my wife :)"

Target Group

For talented intermediate piltos with big cross country ambitions flying 75 or more air hours per year that also want: a high trim and top speed; exceptional glide; extremely agile and precise handling: while preserving high passive safety of a low EN C class. Also ideal for top advanced pilots, flying hundreds of air hours per season, that want EN D performance with the comfort of EN C safety.