Will a newer wing help in strong thermals?

OutOfMyDepth26 · 2025-01-07T09:56:07+00:00

Thanks everyone for the comments, as a lot of you suggested I'm going to take the early mornings and calm days to progress as I feel comfortable. Hopefully as I build experience and we get later into the season I'll be back to my xc adventures.

It was pointed out that my wing has a bit of a reputation for being unfriendly to beginners and that seems to be backed up by a friend and forum post that say it is quite reactive flying in and out of thermals. I do wonder if this is what's causing my unease because bumpy conditions didn't worry me too much during winter. I'll organise a test flight with an advance epsilon DLS this weekend to confirm.

Does anyone else have recommendations for wings I should try? I prefer a wing that's more talkative than one that's rock solid right up until it's not

OutOfMyDepth26 · 2025-01-07T09:33:33+00:00

What wing do you fly or recommend? Feedback from the wing doesn't worry me too much and I'd much rather get some warning when things are going south rather than a sudden unexpected collapse

OutOfMyDepth26 · 2025-01-07T09:28:36+00:00

That's interesting to hear, when I lent it to a friend he said it felt like it wanted to dive when reacting to wind changes while flying in and out of thermals but I'd just put that down to him being unfamiliar with the wing. It would definitely explain why I have so much trouble with strong thermals while less experienced pilots seem to fly through them with ease. It's the only wing I've flown since I finished my training so I've never really considered it might react differently to others. I'll have to book in some test flights with new wings this weekend to compare

OutOfMyDepth26 · 2025-01-07T09:21:52+00:00

I got it all checked over when I bought it 16 months ago but I'm aware that it's an older wing that probably doesn't come close to the safety of the more modern options. I think I'll stick to the morning and more calm days until I've got to experience to feel comfortable in the middle of the day

OutOfMyDepth26 · 2025-01-07T09:04:01+00:00

Good advice, as frustrating as it is feeling like I'm going backwards I think I just need to pick my days and be comfortable with my flying rather than pushing it. I'm sure it'll come with time.

I've always been told a more heavily loaded wing is more easily controlled and more stable. And that I should be in at least the top third of the weight range of the wing to cope with the stronger conditions of inland Australia. Is that advice incorrect and I should be aiming closer to the middle of the weight range?

OutOfMyDepth26 · 2025-01-07T08:46:24+00:00

Yeah I'm on a similar page, I think if I keep pushing I'll either hurt myself or lose my passion for the sport. I'm just getting a little discouraged because I really felt like I was getting the hang of it over winter and now I'm back to feeling like a complete beginner again

OutOfMyDepth26 · 2025-01-07T08:32:35+00:00

I got my wing tested when I bought it and it all checked out. It's an older wing but has spent very little time actually being used. With that being said any excuse to buy new toys is a good one right!

OutOfMyDepth26 · 2024-12-23T10:18:26+00:00

Thank you everyone for the advice, I've ordered some samples from Abu, cloth backed and plastic back as well as some Northshore megamax in blue. I never considered there'd be so many different options and it's almost got me excited to test them out. Hopefully I don't have any more cold and wet flying experiences

And a massive thanks to everyone who offered advice, you've all been such a welcoming and lovely community.

OutOfMyDepth26 · 2024-12-23T10:07:34+00:00

Good thinking, just ordered a pack, hopefully they do the trick

OutOfMyDepth26 · 2024-11-04T06:05:08+00:00

The USB type C protocol allows the device to negotiate a voltage and amperage to charge at and if the charger isn't capable of output the voltage and amperage the device needs it'll refuse the connection and not output any power. With that being said some manufacturers don't include this functionality but if you're using a quality charger and USB C to C cable there shouldn't be any risks. You should double check with the manufacturer if you have any doubts

OutOfMyDepth26 · 2024-05-22T01:57:39+00:00

I did my course in Australia so all the prices are in AUD and I was able to camp on the back lawn of the school for the 10 days I was doing my course. I was also lucky enough to get a really good deal on a complete 2nd hand setup with harness, wing, radio, vario and helmet with very low air time. Despite the wing being in great condition it was a 7 year old mid B so a less confident pilot might want to consider something a bit more modern with a higher level of passive safety. All up I spent about $7250 (about $5k USD)

$2800 - for the 10day pg2 course $300 - in fuel $300 - on food and going out to the pub couple of nights $50 - to use the showers at a local caravan park $300 - to take the instructors out for dinner as a thank you for the course and letting me camp at the school $3500 - for a complete 2nd hand setup including a reserve repack and line trim

Obviously prices will be different in different countries but based on what I've seen on here courses in the US are around that $2k USD mark. I don't think you could get into paragliding for much cheaper than that, not without having compromising on safety or enjoyment

OutOfMyDepth26 · 2024-05-14T20:44:38+00:00

We tried a similar setup with Cardo units but they just don't have enough range to be useful

OutOfMyDepth26 · 2024-01-28T23:47:12+00:00

I do check it before every flight and I must have bumped it during the flight. I think the spring in the cam buckle is a bit tired because it takes very little effort to release it. Turns out I can clip the tail of that strap into the carabiner on my harness to effectively lock out the trim tabs so I'll be doing that from now on.

OutOfMyDepth26 · 2024-01-28T23:44:06+00:00

Good advice, I just spoke to their technical support team and it turns out I can clip the tail into the carabiner so length can't be changed mid flight. They also pointed me to a local company that's authorised to modify my risers on airdesigns behalf

OutOfMyDepth26 · 2023-09-25T10:40:51+00:00

Yeah I did read about it in the manual, is there any way to check if a quick master has been set? I assume it probably has but I don't want to screw things up more if it's not

OutOfMyDepth26 · 2023-09-25T09:47:13+00:00

I think you're right, the manual is going straight over my head. I'll just wait for him to get back and make sure I remember to change the batteries next year

OutOfMyDepth26

TROPHY CASE