Delta 2 pilots. Would you buy a Delta 3 if it was classified EN-D?
Once again Ozone pushing the envelope of the conversation about paraglider design, certification and safety.This great article from The Paraglider seems to sum it up quite well.
As a Delta, then Delta 2 pilot, I would have no issues buying a Delta 3 classed EN-D. I'm confident enough about my piloting to consider flying an EN-D glider and did so as far back as 2013.
After consideration of the EN-C gliders on the market I eventually went for the Delta 2. I've had no significant incidents on my Delta 2, despite flying in notoriously rowdy mid-summer air in southern California.
Given that the Delta series is probably the most successful sport class paraglider ever, Ozone undoubtedly a huge and loyal base of pilots who would rate themselves as skilled enough to handle the upgrade, even given the increased rating.
For Pilots new to the EN-C class however, it may take a leap of faith to go from a EN-B direct to a D, despite what I sure will be a similar level of handling and safety to the Delta 2.
Perhaps the saga of the Gin Carerra offers some insights into the importance of ratings in terms of pilot psychology and perception. The Carerra was a 6.2 aspect ratio wing, that Gin somehow managed to get rated as EN-B. Aspect ratio is generally accepted to the biggest determinant of how challenging a paraglider is to handle. Gin, formal reviews and pilots all confirmed quickly that the Carerra was really a high end C and not a B at all except for the rating. Gin's unusual move to offer a changed line set at very low cost after a year or so in order to tone down the handling characteristics to align with what pilots expected from a 'high-end-B' rather than a 'sporty C' seemed to be the result.
The other implication for Delta 2 pilots is that if rated as a EN-D, Delta 3 pilots may not be able to compete in Sport Class competition events. These events usually consider EN-D gliders to be in the open class, along with competition class gliders (CCC). For sport competition pilots like me whose aspirations are to see their name up the top of the sport class rather than the bottom of the open class under the long list of Icepeaks, Boomerangs and Enzos, this is perhaps a depressing and unfair thought, potentially even leading them to choose a different glider.
This scenario is quite possibly why the Ozone sponsored Chabre Open announced that they will determine glider class by aspect ratio, not EN certification. Based on aspect ratio, assuming the Delta 3 had the same aspect ration as the Delta 2 of 6.0, it would easily fit into Sport, however would still need to go in the X-Class because of the D rating. This apparently seems like a contradiction for ozone. This is pure speculation, yet possibly what Ozone will push for long term is to encourage sport and fun competitions to move to a 'aspect ration only' type of class system.
Interesting, the Gin Carrera would only just sneak in to the Sport class with it's 6.2 aspect ratio, and the new Bruce Goldsmith Design Cure, which is a high-end C, would be firmly into the X-Class with it's 6.75 aspect ratio.
Ozone Chabre 2016 Classes
Fun - EN B or below and AR equal to or less than 5.2
Recreation - EN B or below and AR equal to or less than 5.7, but greater than 5.2
Sport - EN C or below and AR equal to or less than 6.3, but greater than 5.7
X-Class - EN D or below and AR greater than 6.3
Once again Ozone pushing the envelope of the conversation about paraglider design, certification and safety.This great article from The Paraglider seems to sum it up quite well.
As a Delta, then Delta 2 pilot, I would have no issues buying a Delta 3 classed EN-D. I'm confident enough about my piloting to consider flying an EN-D glider and did so as far back as 2013.
After consideration of the EN-C gliders on the market I eventually went for the Delta 2. I've had no significant incidents on my Delta 2, despite flying in notoriously rowdy mid-summer air in southern California.
Given that the Delta series is probably the most successful sport class paraglider ever, Ozone undoubtedly a huge and loyal base of pilots who would rate themselves as skilled enough to handle the upgrade, even given the increased rating.
Perhaps the saga of the Gin Carerra offers some insights into the importance of ratings in terms of pilot psychology and perception. The Carerra was a 6.2 aspect ratio wing, that Gin somehow managed to get rated as EN-B. Aspect ratio is generally accepted to the biggest determinant of how challenging a paraglider is to handle. Gin, formal reviews and pilots all confirmed quickly that the Carerra was really a high end C and not a B at all except for the rating. Gin's unusual move to offer a changed line set at very low cost after a year or so in order to tone down the handling characteristics to align with what pilots expected from a 'high-end-B' rather than a 'sporty C' seemed to be the result.
The other implication for Delta 2 pilots is that if rated as a EN-D, Delta 3 pilots may not be able to compete in Sport Class competition events. These events usually consider EN-D gliders to be in the open class, along with competition class gliders (CCC). For sport competition pilots like me whose aspirations are to see their name up the top of the sport class rather than the bottom of the open class under the long list of Icepeaks, Boomerangs and Enzos, this is perhaps a depressing and unfair thought, potentially even leading them to choose a different glider.
This scenario is quite possibly why the Ozone sponsored Chabre Open announced that they will determine glider class by aspect ratio, not EN certification. Based on aspect ratio, assuming the Delta 3 had the same aspect ration as the Delta 2 of 6.0, it would easily fit into Sport, however would still need to go in the X-Class because of the D rating. This apparently seems like a contradiction for ozone. This is pure speculation, yet possibly what Ozone will push for long term is to encourage sport and fun competitions to move to a 'aspect ration only' type of class system.
Interesting, the Gin Carrera would only just sneak in to the Sport class with it's 6.2 aspect ratio, and the new Bruce Goldsmith Design Cure, which is a high-end C, would be firmly into the X-Class with it's 6.75 aspect ratio.
Ozone Chabre 2016 Classes
Fun - EN B or below and AR equal to or less than 5.2
Recreation - EN B or below and AR equal to or less than 5.7, but greater than 5.2
Sport - EN C or below and AR equal to or less than 6.3, but greater than 5.7
X-Class - EN D or below and AR greater than 6.3
Perhaps this be the Future Class Structure based on Aspect Ration only?
Fun - AR equal to or less than 5.2
Recreation - AR from 5.2 to 5.7
Sport - AR from 5.7 to 6.3
X-Class - AR greater than 6.3
Fun - AR equal to or less than 5.2
Recreation - AR from 5.2 to 5.7
Sport - AR from 5.7 to 6.3
X-Class - AR greater than 6.3