Introduction to the NOVA PENTAGON Light
The NOVA PENTAGON Light is a highly specialised, ultralight reserve parachute designed specifically for paraglider pilots who prioritise minimal weight and compactness. With a pentagonal canopy shape designed for advanced pendular stability, it targets ambitious hike & fly, climb & fly, and vol biv pilots. In its 85 kg size, it weighs a mere 810 g, approximately 300 g lighter than the standard PENTAGON, and boasts a very small pack volume. This makes it an attractive choice for weight-conscious cross-country and mountaineering flights.
Technical Design and Performance Features
Pentagonal Canopy Geometry
The distinct pentagonal shape of the NOVA PENTAGON Light canopy is a key innovation. Its non-symmetric geometry alternates corners and edges to create differing aerodynamic responses on opposite sides. This design produces a restoring force that effectively disrupts and dampens oscillations caused by pendular movements, resulting in improved stability during descent. This is particularly beneficial for reducing side-to-side swinging and risk of hard landings in rough terrain or near obstacles.
Opening and Sink Rate Characteristics
The rescue parachute’s opening is engineered for fast and controlled deployment. Its five corner vents combined with short lines promote rapid inflation and minimize height loss. Additionally, the canopy's relatively low overall height means less air volume needs filling during deployment. Adapting a reefing-inspired line system from round parachutes, its spliced suspension lines help spread opening shock forces evenly, ensuring a quick but not aggressive open. Certified sink rates range approximately 5.2 to 5.4 m/s, offering a balanced descent comfortable enough to mitigate hard impacts.
Packing and Materials
Pilot-friendly packing is facilitated through colour-coded, equally spaced, and uniform-length base and centre lines, supplemented by dedicated packing loops. This simplifies the repacking process and helps maintain the parachute’s quick-opening performance over time. Ultralight materials – including Dominico 10D fabric for the canopy and high-quality, low-mass lines and risers – contribute to its low weight but require careful handling. Due to its lightweight construction, the PENTAGON Light is unsuitable for repeated training use involving water landings and must be inspected by authorised workshops post-deployment.
Application and Pilot Suitability
The NOVA PENTAGON Light is best suited for experienced paragliding pilots who want a modern, ultralight reserve without sacrificing performance. Its innovative canopy shape enhances pendulum stability, and its deployment system balances rapid opening with manageable shock and descent rates. However, its ultralight construction means it is not recommended for heavy training regimes such as SIV courses involving frequent water throws. The product is primarily targeted at hike & fly and cross-country pilots seeking to minimize gear weight and volume.
Customer Reviews and Market Reception
Currently, there is a notable absence of genuine customer reviews for the NOVA PENTAGON Light in major paragliding shops and online marketplaces. Product pages typically feature either no reviews or explicitly note zero feedback submissions. Dealers largely present the product using manufacturer-supplied technical specifications and marketing descriptions without narrative user experiences or star ratings. This lack of firsthand pilot feedback constrains comprehensive evidence-based analysis from a consumer perspective.
Nevertheless, dealer information consistently highlights the reserve’s ultralight weight, exceptional pendular stability, fast and reliable opening, and low sink rate as major strengths. The key caution emphasizes its limited durability for frequent training deployment and the necessity for thorough inspections after each use. These points underscore the PENTAGON Light’s positioning as a specialised, safety-oriented reserve designed for pilots with precise use cases rather than as an all-around robust option for schools or training.
Conclusion
In summary, the NOVA PENTAGON Light stands out as an innovative, ultralight reserve parachute offering advanced pendular stability through its pentagonal canopy design and a balanced opening sequence tailored for hike & fly enthusiasts. Its pilot-friendly packing system and choice of high-end lightweight materials deliver a compact and functional parachute optimized for low weight. However, its delicate construction requires careful handling and periodic inspections, limiting suitability for intensive training environments. The absence of customer reviews to date highlights a need for tracked user feedback to fully understand real-world performance. Overall, it is a leading lightweight option for expert pilots where every gram counts.
For detailed specifications and further information, visit the manufacturer's website. To order this equipment, you can visit Paragliding4.me.