UP Paragliders are looking for a test pilot and a service technician to work with them in Garmisch-Partenkirchen in Germany.

UP Paragliders are looking for a test pilot, and someone to help them in their glider servicing department in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. One person could fill both roles as a full-time position, or it could be two people working part-time.

The test pilot will be an expert pilot who would work in close collaboration with chief designer Franta Pavlousek to perform comparative and check flights. UP say, “A test pilot has an acute sense for the effects of even minor changes to line configuration and trim, and the ability to communicate and transfer the knowledge gleaned, in English, to the other members of the team”.

The second role is with UP’s service team who perform bi-annual checks for the German market, and general checks and repairs for UP wings from all over the world. They are looking for someone to help with repairs, maintenance, reserve repacks and checks and some shipping. For the service department role experience in similar positions is not essential, but the applicant should be a licensed paraglider pilot.

To apply, email info@up-paragliders.com

Franta Pavlousek leaves Axispara to head up UP's design team

43-year-old Czech national paraglider team pilot and ex Axispara designer Franta Pavloušek is now heading up UP’s design team.

‘Franta’ has worked with Axispara for a decade, as both the creative spirit behind the wing designs and as production manager. He built his first gliders as an engineering student, twenty years ago.

UP say that Franta’s “vision when it comes to building gliders reflects UP’s philosophy: finding the perfect blend between performance, handling and safety for the task at hand. We’re very excited to welcome Franta on board and look forward to working with him, designing winners for UP during the coming decade and more”.

www.up-international.com

UP XD70 Open Class competition paraglider

German paraglider manufacturer UP have revealed their new ’secret weapon’ in the Open Class category: the XD70 is, they say, a “machine that oozes performance”.

Available to competition pilots only, the XD70 has a flat aspect ratio of 8 and only two lines on each of the three risers on each side, but the company say it  is very manageable in thermals, with a lively handling and very smooth carving turns. They add that it doesn’t suffer from the tendency to throw you out of the turn that other very elongated designs have.

The company describe the speed system as light and very efficient, and say that the wing is stable throughout. The XD70 is trimmed fast, but effective pitch trimmers allow you to limit this to ensure that no one climbs past you, even in the weakest of lift.

UP say the XD70 is a well-rounded competition wing, but it does remain a work in progress – so if your Edge is getting a little weary and you’d like to stick with the UP quality and handling you have come to enjoy, then contact Mads as the XD70 could be your next wing.

The XD70 is load- and shock-tested by the DHV, and can be ordered in sizes S/M, M, M/L and L.

www.up-paragliders.com

UP Xpress mini paraglider

UP have brought out a mini paraglider, the Xpress, which will be available in three sizes (14, 15.5 and 17.5) from May 2010.

The Austrian company say they have gone back to basics with the wing – it is a small, go-anywhere package which can be “stuffed” back in its bag when you are finished flying it – nothing to break and no fussy packing techniques required.

They also say it can be flown anywhere – whizz it around in sand dunes, or fly off a high mountain peak. The wing is small, fast and agile with “incredible roll”, but the larger sizes can be thermalled too. The philosophy behind the Xpress is definitely maximum fun with minimum fuss, as UP say, it was made to “put the excitement back into flying”.

www.up-paragliders.com

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Airwave have announced that long-time UP designer and former world champion Stephan Stieglair will be moving from the German company and heading up Airwave’s R&D team.

Stephan Stieglair’s paragliding competition CV is impressive: apart from the Paragliding World Championship he has won countless World Cup competitions and the Austrian National Championships. He no longer flies competitions, but is still considered one of the world’s best pilots.

Airwave say, “Stephan Stieglair’s proven design skills [will be married with] a young and motivated team, which was trained by, and had many years experience working with, Bruce Goldsmith. Furthermore Airwave uses the best CAD software and hardware available in the industry and we have our own manufacturers, all adding up to guarantee highly innovative products of top quality.”

Stephan is based in the Austrian Zillertal, only “a glide away” from Mario Eder, who was appointed head of their test team back in February. Airwave say that it is no accident that their new team all live within the vicinity of the company’s headquarters just south of Innsbruck, and they believe this will strengthen the team.

Meanwhile UP say their core team is “undergoing some changes”, some of which are already in place, but they do not want to introduce the new team to the world until it is complete.

www.airwave.aero
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UP's Fight Gravity T shirts, new for 2010

Austrian-based paraglider manufacturer UP have a new long-sleeve T-shirt design for 2010.

With Fight Gravity logo and in a snug contemporary style, the T-Shirt is available in sizes S to XL and in light green or grey.

UP have also updated the colour options for their ‘1972′ and ‘Lady’ T-shirts, which are now available in orange and aqua respectively.

www.up-paragliders.com

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