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Windtech Honey 3

Eolian honey

This new version of its entry-level model increases its performance and speed. Not only max speed is higher but trim speed as well. Its main qualities are those that can be expected from a level A wing, let say a “high entry paraglider", that is: good agility, with capabilities and performance to start in soaring, thermal and XC flights.

Let´s describe it; it is available in 4 sizes, from XS to L, with surfaces ranging from 25.8 to 29.95 m2, and an aspect ratio of 5.08 and 4.11 projected.

The wing has a height between 7.1 and 7.7 m and has 44 cells.

The full paraglider weights go from 4.3 to 5.3 k. so we can consider it as semi-light, with details and concessions to the concept of modern wings of hike & fly (low weight and small volume), but without giving up standard materials of high durability. For example, the risers have a normal construction but are very narrow and instead of maillons, it has flexible Dyneema connections, instead of metal pulleys, it uses ceramic rings, both for the accelerator and the brake and also inside the risers. All these details are minimalist and quite clean.

The lines are sheathed on the lower floor and it has only two floors in the centre and three floors at the wingtips, it is very easy when arranging the wing on the ground before take-off. The width of the cells and the separations between attachment points every two main ribs contribute to this cleanliness. It is a 3-riser glider with the C row making in a pyramid on the upper deck, for maximum plant cohesion and 3 bottom lines per side and riser.

The weight ranges are 45-65 / 55-75 / 65-90 and 100-125 kg. With a proven trim speed range of 37-39 km/h, a minimum speed is less than 23 km/h and a maximum speed slightly above 50 km/h. This is great speed potential for an EN- A. When testing the large size at the middle of the weight range, speed reached 39 and 52 km/h respectively (measured with a Flymaster wireless pitot anemometer and compensating for altitude and temperature).

In the homologation carried out in February, the verified brake travel exceeds 65 cm, and the recoveries to all the manoeuvrers are spontaneous and take place in less than 3 seconds, with hardly any changes in course or any surge forward or any remarkable pitches. This is what you can expect from an A-certified wing with great passive safety.

The control is direct and agile, precise, and with a net response in roll and pitch when required. The turn is completed by using a bit of the external brake, ideally to get the least sink rate possible in the turn, without needing a lot of travel or pulling a lot the brake handle either.

Its vivacity and agility stand out and its response is light without the need to stop the wing or barely hold it with the brakes.

In thermals, it makes a small turning radius and allows a slower, less banked turn for smooth thermals. When you let it run hands off, it helps you in the transitions with a more than worthy glide angle for its class and initiation vocation. The speed bar is a bit physical because the rings cause some friction with respect to metal pulleys, but you can put the pedal to the metal without fear and without the leading-edge warping, wrinkling, or feeling unstable. It does not have any specific system to control the rear risers, but they can be taken directly when they are free and close to the grips due to their short ring-pulley separators. The big ears are easy and stable and maintain horizontal speed or slightly increase it without feeling to be close to a stall or deep stall. The B risers are also useful, they require some effort to lower them but their descent rate is very stable making the manoeuvre quite easy to accomplish.

From the inflation it is an easy wing to fly, the pressure is little when brakes are not applied in a light wind at launch meaning it won't want to pop you out like a corkscrew in higher wind launches nor will it produce much traction if you don't overbake. You need to take only the two central lines on each side, something easy to identify due to the split of the A riser. By grabbing this riser like this it goes up more gradually and the ears gain load later on. It does not require special preparation on the ground, she climbs by herself forming a large arch. Its openings are trapezoidal and large, as well as its thick profile, the rods help to give rigidity and shape to the leading edge and the 3D cut gives a perfect shape of the profile and the wing. The risers are covered with a light lycra lining to cover the flexible connectors, making them very soft and pleasant to the touch when inflated. The planform of the wing is quite elliptical on the leading edge with curved wingtips and it is almost straight on the trailing edge, with a thin truncated stabile formed by narrower cells. there are four internal load-bearing straps in each line of the hook-up points and the diagonal ribs, assembling a very resistant and compact internal structure. The leading edge draws a slight shark nose of variable width depending on whether they are main or secondary ribs, following the trapezoidal shape of the openings.

The upper surface of the profile is quite flat, which helps to the remarkable pitching stability and great damping thanks to this fact, meanwhile, the brakes make a flap and tighten in the trailing edge well with tension V-ribbons t, even with the separate attachment and wide cells.

With lines easy to identify by colours in each riser, everything is easy to prepare the wing or to know when flying what descent manoeuvre to use (ears, B risers). It does not have mini-ribs and the canopy manufacture is aimed for lightness without the need to use ultra-light fabrics that are less durable in the long term.


Technical Specification Marks out of 3
Inflation : light, unattended, low tension • •
Turn entry : direct and effective • • •
Turn reversal : dynamic and playful • • •
Slow turn : resistant wants to run more • • •

Handling Marks out of 3
Slow flight : it always goes a little fast • •
Normal flight : agile and fluid, reactive • • •
Accelerated flight : brake free and with pedal • • •
Pitch : well damped and easy to steer • • •
Roll : frank and direct, precise • • •
Handling : effective and direct, long brake • • •
Stall : far, far below, deterrent • • •
Tensión : always compact and solid • • •

Performance

Wing loading 115 kg (3,8 kg/m2)
Min speed 24 Km/h
Speed 50% brake 33 Km/h
Trim speed 39 Km/h
Max speed (100% accelerator) 52 Km/h

Manufacturer: Windtech (Gijón, Spain)
Designer: Álvaro Valdés
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