The Aquila is ICARO’s dedicated freestyle paraglider that skillfully combines acro-style agility with robust thermal and cross-country (XC) flying capabilities. Featuring the company's best thermal profile, the Aquila offers impressive climb and soaring performance for a compact freestyle wing, making it an appealing choice for pilots seeking a blend of playfulness and serious flying functionality.
Design and Technical Specifications
The Aquila targets intermediate to advanced pilots who desire “real flying” experiences — a wing that is collapse-resistant, maintains high passive safety, and remains manageable even in challenging conditions, without sacrificing agility, dynamics, or speed. This versatility is realized through a hybrid 3-liner design with only two main lines per side, simplifying launches while enhancing performance.
With a flat aspect ratio of 5.1 and 36 cells across sizes 18, 20, and 22 m², the Aquila uses high-quality materials such as Dokdo 30 canopy fabric and 2-cell-bridge V-tapes. Its 3+1 line layout and powerful brake system provide precise control for slow-speed flight in weak lift and tight, responsive handling for acrobatic maneuvers like loops. The lack of trimmers and inclusion of a speed system with 80 mm travel underscore its performance focus.
Weight ranges from approximately 4.4 to 4.7 kilograms, making it lightweight and compact — ideal for hike-and-fly adventures and convenient travel. The wing exhibits stable, compact behavior in turbulence, with collapses resembling those of lower-rated EN-A/B gliders despite its high wing loading.
Certification and Safety
Certification-wise, the size 20 and 22 are EN-D rated, indicating a high-performance, demanding class requiring significant pilot experience and skill. The size 18 shows an “EN —” rating, suggesting a different or incomplete certification status. Despite its forgiving nature in flight tests, the Aquila is not recommended for beginners due to its advanced handling characteristics and performance profile.
Use Cases and Pilot Feedback
The Aquila is marketed as a true all-rounder freestyle wing designed for pilots flying beyond local ridge soaring—combining thermal efficiency, cross-country glide, and freestyle playfulness in one package. Its compact size and robust build make it well suited for hike-and-fly excursions. Review statements from test pilots highlight a harmonious balance between agility and climb capability, aptly describing the wing as a "symbiosis" for pilots eager to engage dynamically with the air while retaining serious XC potential.
Takeoff and Handling
Takeoff is noted to be straightforward in varying wind conditions, from weak to strong winds. Once airborne, the wing's stability and compact structure contribute to a smoother experience through turbulence. With its strong brake feedback and authority, pilots can confidently execute freestyle maneuvers and controlled slow flights in weak thermals.
Design Language and Aesthetic
ICARO has chosen a bold and radical design style for the Aquila, incorporating the company's signature Edelweiss motif with bright, contrasting color schemes such as blue, red, purple, petrol, lime, and bordeaux. These striking visuals underline the wing’s freestyle, show-oriented nature, with several predefined color options offered, although no fully custom schemes are currently available.
Commercial Considerations
With a retail price of approximately 2,500 EUR and a delivery lead time of 6 to 8 weeks, the Aquila sits within the typical price range for specialized paragliding equipment. The purchase package includes the wing, packing belt, inner bag, riser bag, repair kit, a small gift, and a backpack suitable for gear transport, reducing the need for additional purchase of carry equipment.
Comparison with Other “Aquila” Brands
It is important to distinguish this ICARO Aquila paraglider from other unrelated brands sharing the Aquila name. For instance, the Australian men's shoe brand Aquila suffers from predominantly negative customer reviews focused on quality and service shortcomings, while Aquila hotels in locations such as Pretoria, Bangkok, and Jeddah enjoy generally positive guest ratings. Aquila Software, an unrelated employer entity, maintains mixed reviews with varied experiences reported by employees. These contrasts underscore the specific identity of ICARO’s Aquila in the niche market of freestyle and hike-and-fly paragliding equipment.
Conclusion
Overall, the ICARO Aquila stands out as a versatile, high-performing paraglider designed for experienced, ambitious pilots who seek a single wing capable of freestyle antics, solid thermal soaring, and efficient XC flight. Its compactness, aesthetic appeal, and advanced technical features make it particularly suited for hike-and-fly enthusiasts and those who value a playful yet serious flying experience.
For more detailed specifications and ordering information, please visit the manufacturer's website and consider purchasing your paragliding equipment through Paragliding.me.