New Fusion Wing

Gordon Dunn · Sat Jul 11, 2009 8:17 pm by Gordon Dunn

Just had a few flights on my new Fusion 26- pretty impressive wing- though still getting used to it i must confess! The 'feel' is quite different from the Action 27, but there are some great improvements.
One of the most notable is the stiffened ribs inside the wing, which form a structure which helps keep the front open- makes launching easier.
Apparently can be reversed in a 5km wind....

First attempts on Thursday resulted in a few failed launches- reading some other pilot blogs, this has been the case with them too.... The wing needs less 'encouragement' to lift as it's so light- just move forwards and balance the 'A's.... if you are too heavy on the 'A' or apply asymmetric forces on them the wing will rotate to one side.... I was a bit heavy on the left (throttle side)... Eventually got first flight on Thursday, and after a few initial circuits to get the 'feel' of the wing... i let the trimmers off to the 'neutral' position.
At neutral the wing is very manouvrable, quite fast- with brake pressure moderate- no worse than the Action- quite pleasurable.
I then climbed to a safer height, and let the trims completely off- I was amazed at how high the brakes are away from the normal position... A noticable increase in speed with trimmers off... tried the brakes again.. and the pressures are really high...... Surprisingly the wing responds very well to weightshifting- even the slightest shift will induce a turn- obviously when you really swing over, and cross the legs it can really turn.
One thing i noticed when trims were off was an intermittent oscillation- never got this on the Action before, but realised what this was when i read the Ojovolador report- (http://www.ojovolador.com/eng/read/test ... /index.htm)
"The Fusion is very comfortable on long journeys although it has a peculiar way to move when absorbing the turbulence: when the air is rough this glider counteracts it with smooth oscillations instead of the dry whacks of the GT, something a little disturbing at first but that you learn to appreciate after some flights since the final effect is smoother."
With the increased break pressures- i can really see the logic of the tip steering kit on the Fusion- these come with the wing, but are not fitted. Fitting is real easy, the modules are on velcro tabs.....

On Friday's flights (2) I did some longer XCs....spending more time cruising with the trims off- full reflex mode. Amazed at how fast i could cover ground- even into wind... and without the speedbar fitted.
Returned to the flying field and did a few circuits on neutral setting- much more manouvrable, great for tight turns, stick kicking, etc.....
With trims at take off- you can really turn on a sixpence......
At full trim the glider really slows down well for landing- again another much talked about characteristic of the Fusion.

Here are a few pics taken by Ken McBride (Thanks Ken!)
I really like the colour scheme on the new Paramania range!!!!!

(Photo Ken McBride)

Gordon Dunn · Sun Jul 12, 2009 9:38 am by Gordon Dunn

Gary- just noticed one of your previous posts-
"......carnt get it back in the bag though because of the plastic things springing the leading edge up all the time so I need to learn how to pack it differently than my old wing ..."

Any tips in packing the wing into the bag again?
This wing dosen't seem to want to go into the bag, i guess there must be a better method..... The comression straps seems way to short too- yet it is a standard Paramania one.....

Also noticed when preparing for a reverse the cells are so open that the wing could just rise at any moment- heed the advice in the manual, and only open the wing fully out when you're clipped in and holding the 'D's.

GD

Donal Litster · Sun Jul 12, 2009 11:05 am by Donal Litster

....on packing the wing....not sure if it would work in this case, but you might try the Airwave Magic bag....it doesn't exactly make things hassle free, but helps in dealing with the mylar stiffeners in the leading edge a bit better....mind you they seem more like lobster pots on the fusion.... Also useful when packing on a windy day.
Donal

http://www.northern-paragliding.com/onl ... e&vmcchk=1

garyfreefly · Sun Jul 12, 2009 10:20 pm by garyfreefly

I have given up trying to pack this wing away......it lives in a stuff sack now.....two points to note here.....the stuff sack supplied ...which is inside and part of the Rucksack....will probably wreck your wing.

...because as you pull the cord through the nice shiny rings it also pulls your wing through them unless your super carefull

personally I think if you are going use the paramania stuff sack its a matter of time before you will need a repair to your wing (Bad Design I reckon ):x
no 2 when you fit the tip steering system and use the correct knot.....no matter what they say this knot eventually will slide down the stabilis line you have to check it every single flight and give it a pull and even then sometimes it will move a little making the tip steering uneven with your hands....

as this line slides down it can get very close to your prop :shock:

and apparently has caused accidents allready (allegedly)
Ive contacted and :cry:

told paramania about these two problems and that one could potentially cause a fatality :shock:

Ive had their usual responce ..... (Nothing) nowt zilch bugger all
however there is light at the end of Paramanias error Ive improved the fusion ....Yes little old me and I didnt use too many brain cells on this major contribution to Safety.....I just spoke to aerofix and asked them to make the stabilis line in two pieces ie with a loop 1mtr up from the riser end to which I can attatch the tip stear line and hey presto it can not slide any more..

...of course...I can remove it if I want to as well .......
with that done all I have do now is find a way of packing the dam wing up in a small package so I can take it on holiday with me.....think think think :idea:

Gordon Dunn · Sun Jul 12, 2009 11:08 pm by Gordon Dunn

Gary....

Got mine into the bag tonight... just takes practice....
Slow and careful folding, getting as much air out as possible... even got the compression strap around the wing!!!

I don't like using the stuff sack (inner bag)- i use it only as an emergency- if the wing is wet, i'm moving fields, or it's too windy to pack up. I use it very rarely.

I've noted your issue with the tip steer and will look out for it when i get mine fitted... Very good solution to the problem...!!!- effective, and simple- what more could you ask for?

Regards,

GD

garyfreefly · Mon Jul 13, 2009 7:59 am by garyfreefly

Did you manage it on your own ?? :shock:

or did you have a team of helpers :lol:

Ive just got myself a super big stuff sack.....(Ive got a big camper Van) and I need to fill it with somthing.... :roll:

Gordon Dunn · Mon Jul 13, 2009 1:48 pm by Gordon Dunn

A great review on the wing from Ed Cunliffe is available online-
http://www.flyparamania.com/images/stor ... 20test.pdf

garyfreefly · Mon Jul 13, 2009 4:11 pm by garyfreefly

Ive read the report .....a few times now and he also mentions the fact that the wing tip steering lines can get close to the prop .....? can not figure out why paramania dont do somthing about this after all its a major major issue :evil:

as far as safety is concerned .....
I notice he also does not mention how he packed the wing away.....perhaps he didnt :lol:

ps took the Skywalk scotch up the other day as since Ive had the fusion it has not been out of its bag (Poor thing) its a much more nimble and responsive wing and will turn on a sixpence (remember them) but its just so so slow just goes to show you carnt have your cake and eat it.... :roll:

maybe you can :idea:

what about a speed wing :lol:

Gordon Dunn · Sat Sep 12, 2009 10:45 am by Gordon Dunn

20+ hours on the new Fusion wing now, and have to say its fantastic. Like anything though- takes a while to get used to it.
Had a flight on Thursday night which demonstrated the 'easier' launching capability. Light regular winds- approx 4mph, I was able to do a simple reverse- but Kevin on his Action was unable to reverse, and had to do a forward. Also noticed when we were landing, there was a significant difference in speed. The Fusion came in at a gentle walking pace, but Kev had a slightly faster run on landing.
Had to do a zero wind take off last night- forward launch... setup,technique, and commitment are critical, and a very fast run! The speed of the wing in zero wind is amazing!!!
Flying speeds are definitely faster in comparison to my old Action, and the increased penetration into wind means i can go further on XCs.

On full reflex weight shifting is simple enough for gentle turns, brake pressures are high- and generally dont feel right... B line tip steering is by far the best way to turn the wing.... I'm reluctant to fit the tip steer kit as i'm not convinced it's the best solution for fitting. I'm currently jsut pulling the B lines directly.
There has been a lot of discussion about the 'Prussic knot', and looking at it i have to admit if there is a chance of it slipping, i don't feel safe. Not sure if 'stitching' or 'super glue' would be recommended to 'fix' the slipping issue , but feel that a split B line would be the best solution- with the TS kit attached to a mallion. See sketch below-

Oisin Creagh · Sun Sep 13, 2009 9:30 pm by Oisin Creagh

I have been getting the hang of my Fusion as well! I find as you did in the beginning that forward launch has been a bit different to the Revolution, and it can be a more delicate. Your initial comments on the heavy throttle hand seem to be the same for me, with wing regularly diving to the right. Still working on the forward launch, and would love to see it on video.

I love the wing in the air. Fantastic, and great fun!

The reason I was keen to add the 'ALC' type system was to avoid the prussic knot and its potential to slide. This is a knot we used to use for climbing a rope if you needed to climb up a rope. It locks well when 'loaded' but is easy to free, when you want to move it up the rope again. The very fact that it does not tend to lock, but takes load was the advantage, but also the potential problem. I have never had a slippage in the air, but have had to tighten it in preflight check from time to time. Because of recent concern about the knot, I tend to take a quick look at it most time I fly now. The implications of it slipping down are obviously potentially very serious. It is not an ideal solution.

Paramania are still working on the alternative steering system I believe?? Might ask them at Coupe Icare next weekend.

On packing, MCJ suggested in Kildare that regularly stuffing the bag into the 'stuff bag' on the rucksack was no harm to the wing, and that the best thing to do if its being packed away for a while, is to put your hand into the ribs, which are now like handles, and pack them one on top of the other giving a degree of protection to the leading edge, as you stuff into the bag. Its easier and quicker than it sounds!

Oisin

New Fusion Wing

New Fusion Wing

Re: New Fusion Wing

Re: New Fusion Wing

Who is online