Place first in the Canadian
or US Nationals on one of our U-turn wings is all you have to
do!
Lady
Guard
DHV 1
Glide 7.8
Top Speed 48 km/h
High-Tech to fall
in love with - well built, in feminine design. Lightweighted,
providing everything that makes paragliding fun by U-Turn
so unique. In brief: Haute Couture at the sky – that´s
the LADYGUARD:
As the name already implies: The
LADYGUARD is a modified BODYGUARD. Highest passive safety
is guaranteed by the automatic flight stabilization, (AFS-system)
and that despite the very high good naturedness of the canopy,
the flying fun does not
come up short has been shown by innumerable tests and customer
feedback.
"It is especially difficult
to find a fitting paraglider for slim, light-weight women.
U-Turn now offers an absolutely convincing alternative with
the LADYGUARD",
U-Turn co-founder Thomas Vosseler sees his brand yet again
confirmed as a trend setter in the field of business. The
glider is available in several attractive colour combinations.
PPG Riser Option: $171 CAD
Body
Guard
DHV 1
Glide 7.8
Top Speed 48 km/h
The new DHV-1 glider
by U-Turn, the BODYGUARD has, apart from numerous further
innovations, the pulley-assisted B-flight facility.
The advantage of the B-flight is
a strong sink rate of around 5 metres per second without
losing total control of the glider.
Noted flying instructors are extremely
enthusiastic. In addition to the long test phase with experts
including Felix Rodriguez and Richard Gallon the first courses
with the BODYGUARD authenticate what the extensive computer-based
calculations with high-end software promised:
The development of a new, unique and for flying students
safe to use assisted descent.
Ernst Strobl, designer of the BODYGUARD and, in former times
as a world class pilot, European Champion and vice World
Champion, succeeded in turning the not uncritical B-stall
into a simple and extremely safe B-flight with a sink rate
of around five metres per second.
"The energy involved in the B-flight should be as small
as possible, the glider should not enter into deep stall,
at best the whole system should be controllable. Additionally,
the potential sources of error for beginners should be as
far as possible out of the question" were Strobl's
essentials during the development of the new descent assistance.
In practice, the brilliance of the invention now proves
to be correct. "Up to now, no rapid descent has been
so safe", Andreas Schubert of the "Rhöner
Flugschulen", the leading training location in the
Federal Republic of Germany says.
With the help of a tackle the B-flight is immediately activated
by an easy pull. Releasing the outer B-straps makes a customary
curve flight possible that can be aggravated with the support
of the own body weight. The noise while flying is similar
to that of the trimming flight. The entrance into deep stall
known to experienced pilots does not take place. Even pulling
the C-lines by mistake with a sudden backward flight is
impossible as the tackle with the colour marked control
loops is only on the B-lines. The transition into normal
flight is hardly noticeable. After releasing the B-straps
the sinking is reduced. Without a forward oscillation the
BODYGUARD AFS/BFS passes into trimming flight again.
AFS system: A world first
With the AFS-system U-Turn introduces
a world first to the market. To fly safely means to fly
actively – the system employed on the BODYGUARD allows
this to happen automatically to a certain level. The secret
of the AFS-system is based on a pre-tensioning principle.
In the area of the brake attachment points the undersurface
is pre-tensioned. Whilst the sail is gliding through smooth
air, there is enough pressure inside and the pre-tensioning
is neutralised: The effect of internal pressure is more
powerful than the pre-tensioning and the trailing edge stays
aerodynamically perfect in the air like a conventional glider.
When entering turbulent air
with the BODYGUARD the system adjusts immediately, even
the slightest drop of internal pressure allows the system
to react. The pre-tensioning at the trailing edge is effectively
like pulling the brakes.
Technical specs
PPG Riser Option: $171 CAD
Emotion
DHV 1
Glide 8.0
Top Speed 50 km/h
The new DHV-1 glider
by U-Turn, the Emotion.
The EMOTION from U-Turn:
Fly today with tomorrows security and safety.
Villingen-Schwenningen. To be able to fly already today
with the security and safety of tomorrow – this is
made possible with the EMOTION. Not only does this new DHV1-paraglider
from U-Turn fulfill the rules and regulations of the DHV
and the CEN-norms for a safe category 1 wing. It is also
constructed in such a way as to easily fulfill the higher
and demanding requirements that are to be to put into force
next year.
The aspect ratio of the EMOTION has
in fact been slightly reduced In comparison to the BODYGUARD,
the reference model among the safest category 1 paragliders.
Nevertheless constructor Ernst Strobl has decreased the
curvature at the wing ends. The EMOTION gains agility and
improved handling reaction because of this. The AFS system
provides the safety and security: The Automatic Flight Stabilization
influences all cells and prevents in the majority of all
cases unpleasant asymmetric deflations already during their
initial phase.
Another selection possibility is
available for the EMOTION as well: It can be optionally
fitted out with the MYLAR-FIX-system, a unique folding system
to protect the sensitive leading edges and air intakes.
The EMOTION is available in four
colors and in the sizes XS (55 – 80kg), S (70 - 90kg),
M (85 - 110kg) and L (100 -130kg). This excellent performing
1-category paraglider closes the gap, which lies between
the BODYGUARD and the INFINITY II.
In the air the ALPINE
PEAK convinces through high passive security because the
lighter materials approach the system of the AFS a smidgen
more delicately. Also the efficiency is improved compared
to the Emotion, which it derived from. The Alpine Peak
is a touch faster and a little more direct and ascends
a bit better in the thermal- which is not a surprise as
the low masses achieve appropriate impact.
DHV 1
Glide 8.0+
Trim Speed 39 kph
Top Speed 48 km/h
Weight 3.9 kg
The new DHV-1 glider
by U-Turn, the Alpine Peak.
Aspect ratio flat 4.94
/ projected 3.95
The Alpine Peak is available in four
colors and in these sizes
XS (55 – 80kg), S (70 - 90kg), M (85 - 110kg) and L (100 -130kg).
The INFINITY II is a real multi-talent. With the AFS-System
it is the optimal glider for an ambitious beginner wanting
an agile canopy, an eager climber and a willing turner,
without forfeiting anything in passive security. The new
INFINITY II has got a lot of improvments: Optimised bend
of the canopy, new sectioning of the V-ribs up to the
D-alignment, new profile etc. The trim-speed now is 3km/h
above the INFINITY I. The improvements lead to a very
easy starting behavior and excellent gliding performance.
The INFINITY II employs high-tech liros-lines which are
well approved in the G-FORCE 360 under fierce conditions.
The OBSESSION is the brand new high-performance DHV 1-2
glider by U-Turn. The canopy provides in many areas the
performance of a higher certified glider and simoultaneously
a very high safety level. The OBSESSION is the perfect
paraglider for those looking for a high-tech-wing providing
lots of fun and a high level of security simultaneously.
Made of very good cloth and equipped with the fantastc
Liros-lines, the OBSESSION enables advanced pilots to
delightful flights.
I got to test out
the Obsession (M) – very hot machine! You'll love
it!
Flight
Report:
The launch, for me in no wind was quick a clean –
easier than the Infinity-II I thought. I then started
with wings overs: on the second pass the wing was quite
banked and eager for more. Next, big ears, asymmetrical,
front tuck, and B-stall were all the same as Infinity
II – no problems, quick recovery. I did search for
stall: my hands were 80% down for ten seconds and the
wing kept going (most DHV2 wings would have fell back
into stall, but the Obsession just keeps going). The big
difference between the Infinity and Obsession is the Obsession
turns very quick and has a huge spiral dive (when initiated)
– all pilots must add a little counter brake to
exit.
As Thomas (of U-Turn) says –
it’s perfect!
Available in size: XS (50-80kg), S (60-90 kg), M (80-110 kg), L (95-125 kg), XL (115-145 kg)
Free
Force
ACRO /
DHV 2
Glide 8.4
Top Speed 56 km/h
As of now the U-Turn GmbH enhances
its range of gliders with a powerful DHV-2 wing.
The FREE FORCE has the identical
ground plan as its successful, elder brother, but its aspect
ratio is so far subdued by the designer Ernst Strobl, that
the conferral of the seal of quality was assured.
There is even more: due to the employment
of the automatic flight stabilisation (AFS) the canopy was
awarded, despite tremendous performance in many fields,
the safety of the DHV-assessment 1-2.
The FREE FORCE is available in three
attractive editions. For details see here
"FREE FORCE stands for a lot
of fun whilst flying. By means of the manoeuvrability and
agility, similar to the G-FORCE, connected with safety supplies
of the AFS, the FREE FORCE is the perfect glider for all
those who want to start acro-gliding" Strobl marks
an area of employment.
At the same time the long-haul pilot
can look forward to this first DHV-2 glider with AFS-system.
Although the FREE FORCE has only a small cap, it craves
for altitude in the thermal. With a top speed of more than
56 kilometres per hour one is very agile en route and the
AFS-system makes sure with many little, automatic corrections
that FREE-FORCE pilots always achieve the maximum altitude
on trips.
"Of course it was questionable
for some time whether we could install the AFS-system into
a DHV-2 glider" U-Turn co-founder Thomas Vosseler reports
on an extensive series of tests. Felix Rodriguez, Richard
Gallon, Michael Knipping and in addition Ernst Strobl himself
have checked the results repeatedly. Finally, after all
the tests were completed it was decided: the AFS-system
in the applied form is solely profitable.
To talk about acro-gliding: The FREE
FORCE is available in sizes 22, 24 and 26, and thanks to
the ground plan that is identical to the G-Force, this canopy
also goes about it with tremendous dynamics.
Dynamic figures such as spirals and
loops work in an easy way; here the unrivalled performance
equipment is set to activate when and if required. "The
AFS-system is not activated during dynamic manoeuvres, as
the pressure inside the wing prevents an intervention"
Strobl explains.
"All 44 cells of the FREE FORCE
are endowed with the AFS-system" Strobl explains. To
draw a comparison one can say that with the BODYGUARD only
the ten outer cells are automatically slowed down at a time.
"Here it is not so much a question of the folding stability
than of the prevention of the shooting forward."
To summarise, a pilot who is
looking for a glider with which will give him a taste of
real acro-gliding like the professional pilots while still
giving a mainly mistake-forgiving flight need look no further
than the FREE FORCE.
New for 2007, the new
high performance acrobatic wing called the G-Force oo7.
This wing is more dynamic, more willing, more agile and
more amazing than last year’s G-Force – explains
designer Ernst Strobl.
The world’s leading pilots
have been in the air with the G-FORCE for more than a year
now, gathering ideas about how to improve this amazing wing.
All of their feedback has been considered and added to the
G-Force oo7: sometimes small, sometimes big. Ernst further
optimized the pretension at the leading edge as well as
the trailing edge. Weeks of meticulous testing was required
to find out which material works best, and the result: tremendous
flight characteristics. The G-Force oo7 is available in
sizes 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, and 22. For very athletic pilots
(up to 135 kg) you may choose a canopy that offers the same
area load like 18-square-metres-gliders for 80-kilo-pilots.
The new paraglider is above
all meant to be a show and D-Bag wing, ideal for example for jumping
out of a balloon or a helicopter. The MORPHEUS has in comparison
to the G-FORCE a slightly smaller wingspan. Mike Küng had
started the development of the MORPHEUS and has significantly
influenced its design. He needs a wing with extraordinary acro
characteristics for his extreme performances but also further
abilities are necessary – now in collaboration with him
the MORPHEUS has been developed, the show class paraglider has
emerged.
The MORPHEUS can be flown
safely at show performances even if the conditions are not 100%
optimal and a landing in lee conditions should not cause too much
anxiety for the pilot. The new show paraglider is now available
with the new modified U-Turn claw design with attractive colours
in the sizes 17, 17.5, 18, 19, 21 and 24.
The U-Turn-pilots Felix Rodriguez
und Richard Gallon will start at the world-Cup-Series with
the AIR FORCE. At the Stubai-Cup U-Turn will present a close-to-production
prototype with 25 square metres (projected 21,6). This is
the glider with the most extremely aspect ratio I ever designed
Ernst Strobl explains. The AIR FORCE looks very spectacular
and flies very spectacular as well. But for all that it
is a very stable canopy. You could call it a certain basic-good-naturedness.
Very high performance and stability simultaneously Strobl
reached this goal with a double-b-line-fixation and a new
b-band that is running over the whole wingspan. This is
the reason why this canopy does not bend or twist that much
in thermal as you could expect regarding the aspect ratio,
Strobl says.
"...tests of New
Gliders and our New Competition Wing. In the moment we call
the Glider “AIRFORCE” but we are not sure with
the name. But we have checked the Glide range it's better
than Boomerang 4 and Nova Tycoon and much better than Boomerang
3 and Apex XP ! I´m sure we have a real weapon. I
keep you informed. I try to send you a little video from
the first take off on a little hill if you can receive it
depends on the MB. The aspect ratio is 7.4 and the wingspan
14 meter and the airea 21 sqm projected."
High performance with maximum passive
security in a tandem has, until now, been an unsolvable
conflict. Now is the start of a new age: The U2, the new
Tandem glider from U-Turn GmbH, has agile flying characteristics
as well as a very high degree of security thanks to the
revolutionary AFS-System (Automatic Flight Stabilization).
Besides high performance and integrated
automatic security the U2 offers everything you can expect
as a professional or hobby pilot including a descent rate
down to 1.1 m/sec; thus far unknown agility for a tandem
glider; the landing behaviour of a solo glider. Unlike most
other tandem gliders, the U2 offers a trimming riser which
is approved by the DHV. Utilising the trimmers the glider
can be adjusted perfectly to the prevailing wind and above
all, the speed can be changed by up to 7 km/h. Accordingly
a slow set-up of the trimmers allow an extreme slow lift-off
speed making it possible to have a take off with old or
disabled people. Launching the U2 is very easy, because
the wing neither sticks nor surges forward.
To be able to concentrate fully on
the passenger whilst flying the U2 has two other features
built in to the risers to make the pilot’s job easier:
B-stall-assistance; and a separate A-riser for “Big-Ears”.
“Big-Ears” increases both the angle of attack
and the surface load leading to a very stable flight attitude
whilst the glider remains fully controllable. Whilst flying
with “Big-Ears” the descent rate varies between
3 to 5 meters per second depending on the number of cells
folded in. The “Big-Ears” A-riser feature has
been borrowed from the U-Turn beginner’s glider, the
BODYGUARD, where this feature serves as a security device
to help inexperienced pilots to distinguish outer A-lines
from the inners. Of course this kind of mistake doesn’t
happen to experienced tandem pilots but Ernst Strobl nevertheless
decided to add this feature to the U2, “Because it
improves the ease of use allowing the pilot to put his attention
to other things.”
The B-stall-assistance acts in a
similar way. B-Stall is initiated by pulling the b-strap,
this causes the current to break away from the top surface
of the aerofoil and the canopy folds in the direction of
the aerofoil effectively becoming a parachute. The glider
then starts sinking at a rate of about 5 to 8 meters per
second without moving forward. If the C-risers were pulled
accidentally to initiate the B-line stall the whole flight
attitude becomes instable, the glider tilts back and gathers
backward speed shortly followed by heavy swinging. This
is impossible with the distinctive B-stall-assistance feature.
With a conventional glider a very strong effort is needed
to pull the first 5 to 10 centimetres sometimes this effort
is so great that it proves impossible for some pilots. By
using a pulley system the beginning of the B-Stall on the
U2 does not need much effort and can be done sensitively.
A special feature of the U2 is the
ingenious line schema. The load bearing requirements of
every riser was calculated specially by Ernst Strobl leading
to the reduction at certain points of the diameter of the
lines. This in turn realised an added potential in handling
and performance, which is often underestimated. Effectively
the line diameters vary according to the requirements of
the different parts of the wing. According to Ernst Strobl:
“In the U2, we use high-tech fibers which can hold
up to 400 Kilo on each line.”
