The NOVA PENTAGON Light is an ultralight, five-sided reserve parachute designed specifically for hike & fly, climb & fly, and vol-biv paraglider pilots seeking maximum safety coupled with minimal weight and compact volume. Weighing only 810 grams in size 85 without the deployment bag, it is about 300 grams lighter than the standard PENTAGON, making it a favored choice among weight-conscious pilots and those participating in competition hike & fly. Available in two sizes—85 kg and 100 kg maximum payload—both sizes meet the EN 12491 certification with low descent rates of approximately 5.2 to 5.4 m/s, which is competitive among modern lightweight reserves in this category.
One of the defining technical features of the PENTAGON Light is its pentagonal canopy planform. Unlike traditional round or square reserves, the pentagonal shape lacks point symmetry; opposite a corner is an edge, and vice versa. This asymmetry is intentionally designed to disrupt pendular motion during descent. When the canopy is pulled to one side, the opposing edge’s asymmetric aerodynamics produce a restoring force that reduces oscillations and swinging. NOVA emphasizes this design delivers very high pendular stability, significantly lowering the chances of violent swinging and consequently hard landings.
Opening behavior is another highlighted attribute of the PENTAGON Light. The canopy features five corner vents and relatively short suspension lines, accelerating the inflation process and minimizing the time from deployment to full canopy inflation. Its low overall canopy height and vent design also decrease the risk of entanglement with paraglider lines before full deployment. NOVA integrates a reefing concept adapted from traditional round parachutes, employing spliced suspension lines to moderate opening shock. This innovation helps distribute opening loads evenly, ensuring the deployment is fast yet controlled and reducing the risk of damage.
Ease of repacking is explicitly addressed in the design. The base lines are all of equal length, uniformly spaced, and color-coded, with included packing loops to guide pilots through the sequence. This thoughtful design simplifies packing and reduces human errors, a critical factor for pilots who repack their own reserves or smaller clubs without specialist riggers. NOVA stresses that regular repacking is essential to maintain quick openings, and the PENTAGON Light is made to make this maintenance practical rather than burdensome.
The construction firmly situates the PENTAGON Light in the ultralight category. The canopy is crafted from very light Dominico 10D parachute fabric, lines are Edelrid Restrix and Liros DC 120, and risers use Liros D-Pro materials—all recognized as premium lightweight components in paragliding. The result is a very compact packing volume of around 2.4 to 2.8 liters depending on size, and a total system weight including the inner container between 835 and 935 grams. However, the choice of ultra-light materials entails trade-offs in durability. NOVA explicitly warns that the PENTAGON Light is not suited for repeated use in SIV (Simulation d’Incident en Vol) or pilotage courses involving water landings. After every deployment, an authorized workshop inspection is mandatory. This clearly positions the product as a high-performance, light emergency tool rather than a rugged training device.
Real-World Impressions and User Feedback
Dealer feedback, pilot forums, and shop reviews consistently characterize the PENTAGON Light as a very modern and well-engineered ultralight reserve, especially suited for hike & fly, vol-biv, and other pilots highly attentive to weight and volume savings. It is trusted for its superior pendular stability and low sink rates, performing on par or better than many standard modern round reserves. However, it is universally noted that this reserve is not designed as a “training” rescue parachute, particularly unsuitable for frequent water deployments common in SIV training.
Pendular Stability and Canopy Behavior
The unique pentagonal shape continually receives praise for excellent oscillation damping—when the canopy swings towards a corner, the opposite edge’s airflow counteracts the motion. Repackers and instructors observe that the canopy stabilizes quickly and maintains calmness, outclassing many traditional round reserves. Pilots note that the canopy "does not hunt or surge," which contributes to softer, more controlled landings. This aligns with NOVA’s claims of immediate oscillation damping, an important quality enhancing pilot safety by minimizing violent swings.
Low Sink Rate and Size Options
Both sizes offer competitive certified sink rates: about 5.2 m/s for size 85 and 5.4 m/s for size 100 under the EN 12491 standard. Dealers emphasize that even the smaller size maintains excellent descent performance, enabling lighter pilots to choose an ultralight reserve without sacrificing safety. Buyers report choosing the PENTAGON Light because it matches or surpasses the performance of heavier alternatives while saving significant weight.
Weight and Packing Volume
Perhaps the biggest attraction is its exceptionally low weight and compactness. At roughly 810 grams for size 85 and 910 grams for size 100 (without the container), it is about 300 grams lighter than the standard PENTAGON. Its packing volume is impressively small—approximately 2.4 to 2.8 liters—making it ideal for ultralight harnesses and hike & fly setups. Pilots confirm it is among the easiest modern “serious” reserves to fit in compact harness compartments, with noticeable weight savings that pay off on long hikes and vertical ascents.
Opening Behavior and Reliability
Feedback from shops and instructors highlights fast and clean openings. The combination of short suspension lines and five corner vents encourages quick inflation and reduces height loss during deployment. The reefing system moderates opening shock, avoiding harsh jolts that could harm the canopy. Repeatable, consistent deployment is reported when the reserve is packed correctly, reinforcing confidence in its reliability.
Packing and Handling Ease
The PENTAGON Light impresses users with packing simplicity. All base and center lines are equal length and color-coded, complemented by folding loops that guide the packing process, minimizing errors — a significant safety benefit. Pilots feel more confident doing their own yearly repacks thanks to the clarity and order this system provides.
Limitations and Considerations
Not Ideal for Frequent SIV or Water Deployments
Both NOVA and dealers caution that the PENTAGON Light is unsuitable for repeated SIV or pilotage course deployments, especially involving water. After every actual deployment, a professional inspection is mandatory. Pilots regularly engaged in water-based training or frequent reserve tests would be better served by a more robust, slightly heavier reserve designed for durability.
Durability Trade-Offs
While no widespread failures have been reported under normal emergency use, the ultralight construction demands more careful handling, storage, and post-deployment checks. Some pilots express discomfort with using ultralight materials for everyday rough use. The trade-off between weight and longevity is classic in ultralight gear: excellent performance at the cost of lower robustness.
Price Considerations
The PENTAGON Light tends to be priced higher than basic round reserves and occasionally above non-light premium models. Buyers generally accept this premium because they prioritize weight savings, compactness, and advanced technology in their rescue equipment.
Limited Public Incident Reports
Compared to older, widely used reserves, the PENTAGON Light has fewer publicly available full incident reports. This is expected for a newer, niche ultralight product and for reserves in general, which are rarely deployed. Dealers and repackers, however, regularly see them and confirm their behavior aligns with design expectations without emerging issue patterns.
Who Should Choose the NOVA PENTAGON Light?
This reserve is especially suited for:
- Hike & fly, vol-biv, and mountaineering pilots who want every gram and cubic centimeter saved without compromising on reserve performance.
- Cross-country and competition pilots seeking to minimize total gear weight while maintaining a stable, low-sink reserve.
- Pilots with ultralight or pod harnesses requiring a compact, lightweight reserve that integrates well.
- Frequent SIV participants or instructors requiring a rugged reserve for multiple water deployments.
- Training schools needing a durable reserve able to endure many uses without professional inspections after each deployment.
Conclusion
The NOVA PENTAGON Light represents a technically advanced, highly optimized ultralight rescue parachute that delivers excellent pendular stability, fast and controlled openings, very low sink rates, and simplicity in packing. Its innovative pentagonal geometry effectively dampens oscillations, enhancing safety during descent. The ultralight materials and compact volume provide meaningful weight savings critical for hike & fly and performance pilots.
However, these benefits come with trade-offs: the reserve is not built for frequent harsh use like repeated SIV or water deployments and requires professional inspection after any deployment. The price is higher than basic models, reflecting its specialized design and materials. If your priority is a serious, reliable reserve adding minimal weight and volume to your setup, the PENTAGON Light is among the best choices available today. For training or frequent deployment scenarios, a more robust, heavier reserve might be preferable.
For more detailed information, visit the manufacturer's website. You can order this equipment conveniently through Paragliding.me.