Skyward Chronicles: Latest Reviews in Paragliding Gear

The Advance IOTA DLS is a high-B category paraglider designed for ambitious cross-country (XC) pilots seeking a blend of high performance and long-flight comfort, paired with everyday robustness and ease of use. This EN/LTF B certified wing targets pilots transitioning from low-B wings or stepping down from C-class who desire strong performance without complex handling.

The Loxia² by ICARO Paragliders is a tandem pilot harness designed specifically for professional and frequent use in commercial tandem paragliding operations. It builds on the original Loxia model, optimizing compatibility with the Batis² passenger harness and the Parus² tandem paraglider, making it an integrated part of a complete tandem system tailored for durability, practicality, and comfort.

The Inner Container with Handle is an essential replacement part designed specifically for ADVANCE paragliding harness rescue systems. This product is not a standalone rescue parachute but serves as the soft container that houses the reserve parachute within the harness, featuring an ergonomically shaped handle that provides the pilot with a reliable and accessible grab point in emergency situations.

The BGD Adam 2 EN/LTF-A paraglider is designed as a modern, beginner-friendly and school-oriented wing that guides pilots safely from their first flights through early cross-country flying stages. It is a successor to the initial Adam model, refined to enhance safety, comfort, and ease of use while retaining the forgiving, user-friendly nature essential for novice pilots.

The Xema light² is a lightweight, reversible paragliding harness designed to cater to a wide range of pilots—from beginners to experienced cross-country (XC) and hike & fly enthusiasts who prefer a seated rather than pod-style position. It offers a distinctive reversible system allowing it to transform into a spacious integrated backpack, accommodating the wing and equipment conveniently for walk & fly or travel use.

The Advance EPSILON DLS paramotor risers represent a dedicated accessory uniquely engineered to optimize the EPSILON DLS paraglider for powered as well as unpowered flight. These hybrid risers feature integrated trimmers that afford pilots precise control to counteract engine torque and adjust cruising speed seamlessly during paramotor use. Designed to maintain the wing’s certified safety and handling characteristics, these risers enable pilots to effortlessly switch between free-flight and paramotor configurations without compromising the wing's EN/LTF certification standards.

The Powerfly Inox by ADVANCE is a specialized accessory designed for paragliding applications, serving primarily as a strong and reliable connection component such as a stainless-steel carabiner. It stands out with a maximum breaking load capacity of 26 kN, making it suitable for safety-critical uses under high-stress flying conditions. Additionally, it balances strength with lightweight design, weighing only 139 grams, and accommodates strap widths of 28 mm and 40 mm—standard sizes for paragliding harnesses and webbing. This product is uniquely identified by the article number 30002 in ADVANCE’s catalog and is also known as the AustriAlpin Powerfly Inox stainless steel carabiner, often referenced under model FP10A – Powerfly Inox.

The NOVA CODEX paraglider is positioned as an accessible, EN C / LTF D certified two-liner designed for cross-country pilots stepping up from high-end EN B or traditional three-liner wings. It features 65 cells, a moderate flat aspect ratio of 6.1, and a semi-light construction starting from around 4.0 kg (size XXS), aiming to balance high XC performance with forgiving handling and strong passive safety, making it attractive to both progressing pilots and experienced XC competitors.

The AIX³ from Icaro Paragliders stands out as a robust, compact all-round harness designed with beginners and leisure pilots in mind. Its design emphasizes an upright, seated flying position rather than the more reclined pod-style harnesses, catering to pilots who value comfort and support in that posture. The latest generation notably trims weight compared to its predecessor while maintaining durable and resilient construction, making it a preferred choice for repeated training hill use, paragliding schools, and for casual recreational flights.

The Buteo XC stands as an innovative EN-B certified cross-country paraglider from Icaro, designed to bridge the gap between mid-range safety and high-performance flying typically offered by EN-C and EN-D class wings. Developed over two years based on the Gravis architecture, it targets ambitious pilots seeking extended cross-country distances without exposing themselves to the elevated risk profiles of classic high-end wings. This analytical review delves into the technical design, flight characteristics, user feedback, and market positioning of the Buteo XC.

Tandem spreaders serve as essential accessories for tandem paragliders, creating the correct spacing and attachment geometry between pilot and passenger. In broader agricultural contexts, tandem spreaders predominantly refer to tandem-axle manure and fertiliser spreaders used in farming operations for distributing horse, cattle, sheep, and pig manure, pen-pack bedding, compost, and various fertilisers. Their design prioritizes stability, durability, and versatility in handling heavy loads across diverse terrains.

The “Reserve” accessories from Advance are a specialised set of high-quality components designed to support the installation, packing, and deployment of paraglider reserve parachutes, critically enhancing safety in emergency situations. These accessories include various inner containers, covers, containers, rubber bands, and stainless steel carabiners tailored primarily for the COMPANION SQR series reserves and compatible harness integration.