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Always choose a wing that is suitable for your skill level, flying experience and the type of flying you do. The certification rating alone can give little information about the flying qualities of a paraglider in thermally active and turbulent air. Go to your ADVANCE dealer for advice, and test fly the wing of your choice.
ADVANCE paragliders:
ALPHA – for beginners and recreational pilots
The ALPHA is a very good model for beginners, and is ideal for the safety-conscious leisure pilot. In addition the wing is perfect for paramotoring. The HIKE version of the ALPHA is lighter with better performance and, depending on the intended use, can be used at a higher takeoff weight. Because of its lighter construction the Hike will, however, have a shorter lifespan.
EPSILON – for leisure and part-time pilots
The EPSILON is the definitive wing for thermalling and, for many independent pilots, provides the incentive for them to leave their home site for the first time. It’s a wing to be flown actively, but, at the same time, affords a high level of passive safety. The EPSILON is also highly suitable for paramotoring.
SIGMA – the cross country wing
In order to get the best out of this top-end intermediate the SIGMA pilot is an experienced cross country flyer who has the necessary feeling for a glider. It’s perfect for experienced thermal and distance pilots who are looking for performance, but would prefer not to fly a competition wing.
OMEGA – for pilots looking for performance
The OMEGA is primarily intended for performance-orientated frequent flyers and serial class competition pilots. It delivers precise canopy feedback and good thermal bite. The Omega offers the maximum in manageable performance.
BI BETA – for professional tandem pilots
This robust and versatile tandem wing was created especially for the professional tandem pilot, but it is also very popular with recreational tandem flyers. It gives you nice handling with as much safety as possible. Takeoff and landing qualities were high on our list of priorities.
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The correct glider size depends primarily on your takeoff weight. The certified weight ranges of ADVANCE paragliders can be found on the webpage for the particular glider type under the heading “technical data“. The weights quoted there refer to total in-flight weight – everything that’s going to fly. This includes the pilot’s body weight plus clothes as well as the weight of all the equipment (glider, harness, reserve, instruments etc.). When a glider is flown outside its specified weight range its certification is not valid.
Flying at the lower or upper weight limits can influence the flying behaviour of the glider, but this will not affect the pilot’s safety. Basically we recommend that you choose a wing where you will be roughly in the middle of the weight range. If your flying weight falls between two sizes and the choice is not clear the decision then depends on a combination of your personal flying style preference and the conditions in which you usually fly.
If you often fly in strong thermals and/or plenty of wind, and prefer a dynamic paraglider, we recommend the size that puts you in its upper half of the weight range. If, on the other hand, you would like a low sink rate for weak thermals and a more damped response to manouevring you should choose the size where you will be in the lower half of the weight range. If in doubt it makes sense to try both sizes and make your decision based on test flights.
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ADVANCE have been involved with paramotoring since 1990. Back then we took to the air with a powered Alpha 1; in the intervening years our test pilots have spent many flying hours checking out the suitability of ADVANCE models for powered flight. ADVANCE is convinced that because of its user-friendly characteristics a good mountain glider also satisfies the demands of a good motor glider. Therefore we offer our ALPHA and EPSILON with convertible risers.
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You can find your nearest dealer from our list.
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Depending on the type of glider there are three to five colour combinations available as standard. You can find the relevant colour combinations under Products. You can also make up your own colour scheme, but be prepared for a wait of 8-12 weeks. There’s an additional cost of 220 € / 293 CHF.
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ADVANCE is one of the few paraglider manufacturers who develop their own harnesses. The range extends from a light all-round model to the aerodynamically streamlined cross country harness.
PROGRESS – the convenient classic
The PROGRESS is a comfortable all round harness with an aerodynamic shape and diagonal-active system.
AXESS - the light compact harness
The AXESS 2 AIR is a very light and comfortable compact harness with an airbag. This product is suitable for everyday use as well as for Hike & Fly and travel. The AXESS 2 AIR has LTF and EN certification.
SUCCESS – agile, with maximum protection
The SUCCESS 2+ is a light, comfortable and ergonomic harness for part-time and recreational pilots. This harness is designed for a slightly reclined to an upright sitting position, and is also suitable for students. The SUCCESS 2+ has LTF and EN certification.
iMPRESS – for cross country and competition
The iMPRESS 2 is a streamlined and extensively adjustable harness, whose warm speedbag is appreciated not only by pilots seeking performance. The harness can be flown in a reclining attitude (with foot stirrup or speedbag) or in an upright position (without the stirrup or speedbag). The iMPRESS 2 is available with or without LTF/EN certification.
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The feeling of the glider in flight and its flying behaviour depends very much on the harness used. The harness geometry dictates, among other things, how directly information from the wing is passed to the pilot. We always recommend that you test a new glider with your usual harness, so that you can form a realistic opinion. ADVANCE paragliders are neither suitable nor certified for harnesses with cross bracing. Strong cross bracing prevents weightshifting forces from being transmitted to the wing. Roll feedback from the wing is almost completely lost, and the pilot cannot then counter the wing’s reactions (eg collapse).
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Depending on the model our ADVANCE harnesses come in up to three sizes. You can find the table of sizes on the webpage Products. Leg length, back length and seat width are just as important considerations as your height when it comes to choosing harness size. Try sitting in our harnesses at your ADVANCE dealer and go through the various adjustments.
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All adjustments to the harness should be done before the first flight, without fail. Correct adjustment of the harness directly affects its correct functioning, safety and comfort. The white sewing across the most important straps shows you the datum (default) settings. To adjust the harness hang it up by the carabiners. With the back pocket packed and the reserve installed you can get a reasonably accurate feeling of the harness in the air. Sit in the harness, do up the leg and chest straps and, by experimenting with the various adjustments, find the seating position that feels most comfortable. After your first flight repeat the adjustment procedure as necessary. Every harness comes with a handbook, in which the exact adjustment procedure is described. You can find all the handbooks on the ADVANCE Homepage under Products.
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We strongly recommend that you get a trained and qualified person to do it for you. The connection between the harness and reserve, and the making sure that the release system works properly (compatibility check), are just as important as the packing of the reserve parachute itself. Your safety depends on a correctly installed and regularly checked reserve system. Flying near the sea raises the risk of corrosion between the parachute release pins and their eyelets. A regular check of the whole system is essential!
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Every reserve/harness combination has its own peculiarities. It is essential that pilot and parachute packer take the time to become thoroughly familiar with the system and its workings - especially with new combinations (new reserves in existing harness or conversely).
Comparatively bulky old-style reserves are basically more difficult to release from compact, modern harnesses, especially under high g loading. In addition it should be noted that the volume calculation (weight of the reserve x 2.7 = volume in litres) used by the test centres, and quoted by ourselves, is simply a broad-brush rule-of-thumb. Depending on reserve packing technique and style it can be that a reserve/harness combination, which conforms to the permissible maximum volume given by this formula, may still not release perfectly.
In any case a successful compatibility check (test release) will decide whether a particular reserve/ harness combination works properly (see also Info “So you want your reserve to really rescue you…”). We recommend that every pilot carries out such a test release himself, in the presence of the reserve packer.
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The following factors can hinder or actually prevent a reserve from working, especially if they are combined: - Reserve is too big, i.e. is too bulky for the reserve compartment and/or the inner container
- Reserve has not been packed to the shape of the inner container and/or the reserve compartment
- Reserve is not thrown using the correct technique
- Release attempted under high G-loading (>3G, e.g. in a spiral)
Other essentials points:
- According to the latest certification standards the reserve inner container forms an integral part of the harness, so the reserve must unquestionably be packed in the original inner container of the harness.
- The larger the harness (of the same model) the larger the reserve compartment.
Fundamentally, we strongly recommend that a reserve should only be packed and installed by a trained and qualified person.
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Make sure that the speed system lines run freely through all the pulleys in the harness. Connect the lines to the risers with the Brummel Hooks. Finally check whether your settings allow you to use the full travel of the speed system. To do this hang up your harness and sit in it, connect the risers and get someone else to hold them up. If the pulleys on the risers don’t touch when you push the speedbar fully, you should shorten the lines and test the settings again. Make sure, however, that when speedbar is not applied the speed system lines are not under tension.
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Rucksack sizes, as supplied, depend on the glider model and its size, but you can choose a different size if you like. We have found that any sized solo glider and its harness (including speedbag and back protector) will go into an M sized rucksack. We recommend an L for a more loosely folded solo wing, or for tandem equipment. Lightweight equipment is best packed in an S rucksack.
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It’s most convenient to carry the EASYPACK if it’s narrow and compact when packed, so don’t choose a size that’s too big. Ideally the glider should be folded to the same width as the base width of the inner bag, and the same height as the length of the risers. This narrow, longish parcel is then laid against the back of the rucksack, making a comfortable surface for your back. Then fold the harness over and lie it on the glider, with the reserve underneath. The foam protector should be facing the bottom of the rucksack so that it can be compressed with the built-in rucksack compression strap. The rucksack zip fasteners should now be easy to close without a struggle.
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Pilots can choose from four different kinds of suspension systems. All of them are tested to 8g and fitted with the well-tried separated reserve attachments.
The soft spreaders allow more room between pilot and passenger when running for takeoff and landing. The passanger can also stand beside the pilot. In thermal conditions the pilot and passenger centres of gravity fly closer together, making for a more compact unit for glider handling – and the crew don’t behave like a set of scales if they are of different weights. The soft spreaders come in three different versions: Soft – the simplest with three hang points. Soft Trim – for pilots who would like to adjust their own position in flight relative to the passenger. Soft Quick – like the Soft Trim with the option of fitting Quick-Out carabiners.
The hard spreaders keep the pilot separated from the passenger. The pilot hangs nearer to the wing, making it easier to reach the lines. Passenger and pilot form a seesaw, so the heavier hoists the lighter up. That must be counteracted by choosing the appropriate suspension point. The hard spreaders create a separation distance of 27 cm.
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