The Icaro Pandion is a thoughtfully designed EN-B paraglider that provides a reliable and comfortable flying experience for ambitious beginners and recreational pilots. As the successor to the Instinct TE, this paraglider is engineered to offer an intuitive entry into the B-class segment while maintaining a high safety margin, making it an excellent choice for pilots stepping up from EN-A wings or those seeking a trustworthy climber for thermal-oriented flying. Its design blends modern features with pilot-friendly handling, ensuring that both safety and performance are well balanced.
Design Philosophy and Target Pilots
The Pandion focuses on a rich and comfortable flight feel, incorporating a shark-nose profile, optimized line layout, mini-ribs, and a 3+1 riser setup. This design provides excellent pitch stability, efficient inflation, and reliable take-off behavior. It targets pilots who desire an easy and clear canopy feedback to help them read the air and center thermals without feeling overwhelmed by turbulence. Its moderate flat aspect ratio of 5.2 and a relatively low cell count underline a deliberate emphasis on stability, easy handling, and passive safety over maximum glide or top-end speed.
Who Should Fly the Pandion?
The wing is perfect for ambitious beginners moving up from school wings, leisure pilots aiming for confident cross-country (XC) and thermal flights, and even for pilots stepping down from higher-class gliders who want a more relaxed flying experience without losing reasonable performance. Its forgiving nature also makes it suitable for use in training environments, supporting pilot progression efficiently.
Flight Characteristics and Handling
In flight, the Pandion is characterized as a forgiving all-rounder rather than a high-performance B-class wing. It offers a top speed of about 45 km/h with speed systems fitted across all sizes, which is sufficient for typical XC and recreational use. Handling is user-friendly and enjoyable; the wing responds predictably to brake inputs, facilitating refinement of thermal and turning techniques without demanding overly active piloting. Pilots appreciate the wing’s calm and smooth behavior in active air, which builds confidence especially in turbulent conditions.
Launch and Descent Ease
Launches are notably easy and reliable, thanks to the redesigned nose, rods, and cloth choices improving inflation and rise characteristics, even in marginal or crosswind conditions. Descent techniques such as big ears and steep spirals are straightforward to initiate and exit, with minimal flutter and maximum control, which is a critical safety feature highly valued by instructors and less-experienced XC pilots.
Safety and Pilot Confidence
Safety is a core aspect of the Pandion’s design. The wing offers a high degree of passive safety and forgiving reactions across the speed range, ensuring pilots feel secure and cared for in rougher air. This makes it especially attractive for pilots who fly occasionally or those returning after a break, as the wing reduces pilot workload and stress while still delivering enjoyable performance.
Build Quality and Construction
Constructed with durable materials such as Skytex 38 and EasyFly fabrics and reinforced with a robust internal structure featuring 2-cell bridge V-tapes, the Pandion prioritizes longevity and durability over extreme lightness. Its weight range, from approximately 4.9 to 6.1 kg depending on size, reflects a balance suitable for school use, clubs, and weekend pilots who demand toughness and consistent behavior. The wing’s packing volume aligns with standard XC wings rather than lightweight hike-and-fly specialists, further emphasizing its role as a dependable everyday glider.
Model Variants and Accessories
Available in five sizes from XS to XL, all certified EN-B, the Pandion covers a wide range of pilot weights, ensuring most pilots can fly within the optimal loading parameters. It is winch-tow approved and comes without trimmers, delivered as a complete package including a backpack, inner bag, riser bag, and repair kit. Visually, it features Icaro’s signature Edelweiss-inspired design with modern color schemes, reinforcing brand identity while maintaining technical simplicity.
Customer and Pilot Feedback
Pilot impressions and specialist reviews praise the Pandion, especially its successor, the Pandion², for combining solid performance with high passive safety and smooth handling. It is regarded as balanced, offering improved glide and safety compared to the original model. Feedback consistently highlights the wing’s exceptional accelerated glide among mid-B wings, calm behavior in turbulent air, easy inflation, and predictable handling on descent maneuvers. Few criticisms exist, mainly noting that the wing prioritizes comfort and security, which may feel conservative for high-level competition pilots seeking more agility and raw performance.
Final Analysis and Recommendations
The Icaro Pandion series stands out as a highly regarded EN-B paraglider that delivers a reassuring mix of comfort, safety, and respectable performance. It is ideal for newer pilots progressing into the B-class, weekend flyers valuing relaxation over extreme performance, and experienced pilots looking to step down without sacrificing glide or speed entirely. Its robust construction and pilot-friendly flight characteristics make it well suited for schools, clubs, and recreational use where reliability and longevity matter most.
For more detailed product information, please visit the manufacturer’s website. To order the Icaro Pandion or get personalized advice, explore options at Paragliding.me.