Nivuik Peak paraglider

[ron freeman]

Last night on East hill I was watching Gary Stenhouse flying his new wing the 'Nivuik Peak' I have to say, it looked very impressive and it made me want to have a go...I thought I had a good chance after giving him one of my special bacon sandwiches in the afternoon!

I was a bit nervous when Gary replyed "no problem Ron if you bend it you mend it" (I thought he meant me... not the glider !)

The conditions were perfect for trying out a new wing, smooth wind, very little thermal and the hill to myself.

The wing came up very nicely with no vices, I immediatley felt there was a sports car above my head. Brake pressure very light then firm at trim speed (all in about 2-3 inches of handle movement ! )

The glide is fantastic, sink rate is brilliant I was soaring in 5 mph.
In a gentle turn the brake pressure is very firm and the turn radius very flat and wide (something I like in a wing)

My first attempt at a hill side landing was like trying to land an Aeros Target hangglider...it was that fast ! This soon made me realise a different approach was needed when landing back on top.

I was well impressed with this paraglider but I've no doubt if you do get a collapse you will know about it !!! After saying this the wing felt very solid and stable for a 2-3 wing.

Thanks Gary for a very enjoyable experience

[brian day]

I was traveling around the Lakes with the first guy to have a peak in the country, he's on the Nivuik team, although he's only been flying a couple of years, his flights are testimony to his skills and he's probably got more hours than Gary and I put together. (didn't know him till the weekend, just blagged a lift from the campsite, great guy though, with hods of weather knowledge and lots of skills in the air, lots of people tried, but no one managed to follow him.)
His description of the wing,,,,,,,'hey man it's collapsomatic, I had to stall it 3 times in one flight in Spain to sort it out, but you expect that from a wing like this, it sort of hunts the sky for lift for you, you've just got to look after it, 'cause it won't look after you'

So please treat it with care!

[ron freeman]

Please remember this with paragliding... It does not matter how much experience or airtime you have and how well you can read the weather, at some point your paraglider will probably have a collapse... to what degree who knows ?

Any experienced pilot will always tell you 'its not the glider its the pilot on the handles that gets the results.

[gary stenhouse]

views our too soon to say but the lift thing is true, the wing tips feel like tenticles and feel like they our searching all the time. as for colapses i shall wait and see but when talking to more experienced pilots again the thing with 2-3 and more so comp wings prevention is the key not correcting. another words 100% active piloting all the time. these wings our not designed as death ships they our designed to fly so be active dont fly to close when possible and take it easy untill you oursure you can handle all the conditions that a pg can fly in. do that and you will get the best flying possible ot of a pg. after all you fly to fly not sit back and let the wing do all the work.

[brian day]

Any experienced pilot will always tell you 'its not the glider its the pilot on the handles that gets the results.

Yes, but when it hits the fan, it's always nice to know that what's above your head, (or what should be above your head) at least makes an effort to help you out, not do it's damndest to make things worse.
Everyone makes their decision as to what to fly and when to fly and Ronnie you always push for safety in the sport, good on yer. (none of us are at a cutting edge of the sport and pushing the limits before someone bangs on about progress)
All I was trying to say was, please be careful, don't make light of this wing and think it's going to help.
As I said at the last meeting, I don't bang on about safety too much, because people make their own choices. However, if others see things happening they sometimes follow, flying in thunder storms, flying hot wings, the 'if he can do it, then so can I mentality'. How many have stood waiting for someone to take off,,,as soon as they do,,oh it's ok I'll go.
Just a cautionary note for the on lookers and a wing and a prayer that Gary keeps it above his head.
PS> I can't even count the people that have questioned me about the situation.
Going back to Ronnies quote, I have also been told by many top pilots that they fly further and better on lower classed wings, because they can relax and enjoy their flying. If you want to take the enjoyment out of your flying then,,,,,,,
I've got one on order!

[brian day]

Hey Gary you need to add it to your saying, you're getting behind the times mate!

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