Sky Anakis 3. Photo: James Pagram
Ed Ewing grabs the ‘100K on an EN A’ Challenge Cup
My first flight on the Sky Anakis 3 was on a low windy hill in the south of England. The place was empty apart from two guys carving fast loops in the air with their model gliders. “It might calm down for you lot, it’s getting less gusty,” one said.
It was already 5pm, so most of the day had gone. Somewhere, a couple of pilots were still flying 260km, literally crossing the country on XC epics. Here in this field though, it was rough and tumble.
Judging it to be “OK in the air” if not on launch I got the wing ready. First impressions are that, well, it’s a paraglider. By that I mean old school. There are no plastic bits and no shark nose. It’s got four risers, sheathed lines, an aspect ratio of 4.95 and it’s an EN A. It’s designed as a first glider or for pilots who want maximum security.
Imagining myself a new pilot with my first glider, I decided to risk it. It’s sort of what new pilots often do – dead keen to get in the air they maybe push the envelope a little when it comes to things like launch conditions. “I’ll give it a go” is one of the many arrows in a new pilot’s quiver.
In gusting wind I hauled myself as far down the sloping field as I could, almost to the bottom (bad form, I know) and popped the glider up. The manual promises, “Very easy take off characteristics” and indeed that’s what I got.
Straight up above my head, but no over shooting or collapsing in these rock n roll conditions, then a bit of dodging about on the brakes to get it steady. Turn and off and woo hoo… it’s all a bit rock n roll in the air too. I try a left turn and am swamped by a feeling of uncertainty: Where’s the biting point?! My hand seems to go forever. This is what they call long brake travel I suppose.
Finally I find it and turn, make a few beats, and then slope land, pulling the brakes down a long way as I stall it in.
Hmm, I think. It’ll just take a bit of adjustment…
The full review is in Cross Country 163 (September 2015)
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