Nova have announced a wing that they say ushers in a “new era of paragliding”. The 99-cell Phantom is certified EN B and has the modest aspect ratio of a low-B Ion, but “the performance of a Triton 2”.
They say the Phantom’s complex construction gives it such an accurate and efficient profile that its performance is leaps and bounds ahead of any other wing with the same low aspect ratio.
It may be the most complex serial-wing design ever, they say, and is made from more than 3,000 components. It has a price tag that reflects this, and at €6,420 they admit it won’t appeal to everyone.
But that was the point. The design brief was to make a very safe wing with the best possible performance, not constrained by production costs.
The Nova development team, led by Philipp Medicus, asked themselves what a low-end EN B would look and fly like if it was constructed without being restricted by technical complexity. After completing CFD simulations the idea became reality. The Phantom is a radical, as well as a revolutionary, concept.
The Phantom’s flat aspect ratio is a modest 5.19, but 99 cells and 804 needle-eye ribs give it an extremely smooth, sleek, efficient and accurate profile. There are 3,200 slots in the profiles and diagonal ribs which shave weight, and up to twelve triple-tape ribs transfer the load on every line attachment point to its neighbouring profile ribs.
Nova have avoided using long leading-edge rods though, and as with the other wings in their range they say you don’t need to concertina-pack the Phantom.
The Phantom is mainly constructed using 27 g/m2 sail cloth, and the S size weighs less than 5kg. Nova say it’s straightforward to launch, solid in turbulence and has excellent handling.
Nova test pilot Ferdinand Vogel says:
What distinguishes competition wings is their ability to convert excess energy into height. Because of the multitude of cells and the resulting accuracy in profile shape, the Phantom doesn’t surge. Instead it converts the energy into height.
Nova will be making the Phantom in four sizes, XS to L, for 70-130kg. Sizes M and L are currently undergoing the certification process, and XS and S will follow after. There may be a wait for demo wings, but contact your Nova dealer for details.
NOVA PHANTOM – Specs
- Sizes: XS, S, M and L
- Area (projected): 25 / 26.24 m2 (M / L)
- Weight: 2 / 5.5 kg (M / L)
- Weight ranges: 70-90 / 80-100 / 90-110 / 100-130 kg
- Certification: EN/LTF B
- Cells: 99
- Three-liner
- Aspect ratio (flat):19
- Cloth: Skytex 27 and Skytex 32 (only leading edge and suspended profile ribs)
- Nova Triple Tape Ribs: Weight/strength optimised diagonal ribs made from individual fabric strips
- Nova Needle-Eye Ribs: diagonal suspension points which cross two cells through slots in the cell wall
- Nova SmartCells: optimised cell widths
- Double 3D-Shaping: fewer creases in the upper and lower sail when ballooning
- Nova Air Scoop: optimised air intake which increases the internal pressure
- Easy packing: concertina bag is unnecessary
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