Airwave FR5 Open class competition paraglider
Airwave describe their new FR5 paraglider as an “open class race ship” and feel its significant performance improvement combined with its ease and stability make it a real jump forward from the FR4.
It has a larger span and 6 more cells (now 81) than the FR4, and a significantly different line layout, including only 2 instead of 3 C lines (to reduce drag). The third A and B line are joined together saving another lower line, all of which means huge benefits in performance but you can no longer perform B line stalls or big ears manoeuvres, so be prepared to spiral dive if you need to descend rapidly!
The new, very circular arc results in a wing with “lovely handling and turn co-ordination”, say Airwave, and there is “very little wobble or oscillation considering the high aspect ratio and the flat arc”.
The glider has a lot more internal reinforcing and the snake-like plastic wire in the nose gives improved high speed stability.
The trimmer system offers a speed range of 13km/h and top speed is just under 70 km/h.
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