U-Turn Thriller
U-Turn are so excited about their new acro paralider, they feel they have almost reinvented acro. They say the wing takes agility and manoeuvrability to new levels.
The glider replaces the G-Force, and feedback from its pilots, who include the likes of Pal Takats and Gabor Kezi (of award-winning film Adrenaline and Turbulence fame), have greatly influenced the design of the Thriller, a whole host of tiny changes combining to create what head designer Ernst Strobl describes as a benchmark acro wing .
The Thriller incorporates a baffling array of acronyms representing U-Turn’s own technologies: The Extended Aeration System (EAS), Precision Profile Nose (PPN) and PPNplus systems and U-Turn’s Automatic Flight Stabilisation (AFS) system.
Acro flying can often cause what Strobl terms “aeronautically disadvantageous angles of approach” that require a well-functioning leading edge, even under extreme pressure. To deal with this, the PPN and PPNplus systems were invented. Synthetic rods are used in place of nose mylar (PPN), which is not new, but this has been backed up by stabilisers sewn across the middle of the cell openings (PPNplus) which improve the stability of the leading edge by retaining the internal pressure for longer.
“By means of the PPNplus-System, the discharge in the front area during manoeuvres like the Infinity Tumbling has been distinctly reduced”, explained Strobl.
The Extended Aeration System refers to a grid of ‘intelligent openings’ on the upper canopy surface above the regular cell openings. A cloth flap is forced against the grid by the internal pressure of the wing, keeping the grid closed, but if the wing’s internal pressure drops, the grid is opened and more air enters the wing helping to retain its profile.
Test pilot Pal Takats says “this is the best acroglider that I have ever flown. Individual manoeuvres can be performed to a wonderful perfection, and the transitions are especially phenomenal”.
Enjoying the manoeuvrability and precision of the Thriller
He continues, “With the Thriller I can easily fly a sequence from SAT to Heli and back to SAT without even having to touch the outer brakes for adjustments.”
As with the G-Force, the Thriller is a work in progress. In response to pilot feedback, adjustments will be continually made to it, and we can expect to see the resultant new technologies filter down to U-Turn’s LTF 1 or 1-2 wings.
The Thriller is now available in sizes 16, 17, 18, 20 and 22.
