Sharp handling and the ability to fine-tune your thermalling using AirDesign’s ‘brake-shifting’ make this a standout in the high-end EN-B class, writes Ed Ewing
My first flight on the Rise 2 SL was in Colombia, from a grassy launch in the Cauca Valley, close to the town of Roldanillo.
I was quite nervous: new wing, new harness, new site. “That’s a lot of new,” as one friendly pilot put it.
The glider is the light version of AirDesign’s Rise 2, which was launched in late 2014. I had flown the original Rise, and although I had made some beautiful flights on it, including 120km in the flatlands and several 50-60km jaunts through the Alps, I was never entirely convinced.
I only really enjoyed flying it in smooth conditions; add turbulence and I never felt I had enough autonomy, either in placing the glider where I wanted it or in controlling the pitch in tight turns. When it got rough, I’d land.
The Rise 2 is a different kettle of fish altogether. It launched beautifully on first inflation in light wind, giving me plenty of time to turn and launch fully in control; no grab and run here. Later I launched it in strong wind – easy, with just a touch of brake – while a nil-wind forward launch was also perfect.
Taking the brakes my first thought was “Wow! That’s sharp!” An inch of left brake had the glider turning smoothly and evenly. To me it felt as responsive as the Sigma 9, which I’d flown before taking delivery of the Rise 2.
Looking up you can see it looks pretty. It’s a three-liner with a small fourth line branching off the C-line right up high. There are red balls on the back risers for gliding and rear-riser control, which make you feel like a pro straightaway.
The handles on the SL version that I flew are weight-saving and utilitarian with no swivel, but they are red and big and comfortable and I had no issue with them. The risers are slim and good looking.
The whole package looked and felt finished, and the L size weighs just 4.6 kg. I felt comfortable on the glider immediately, and my pre-launch worries faded away as the ground dropped below me…
The full review is in Cross Country issue 159 (May 2015).
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