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Straightforward in every respect

Starting with wing size choice, then to line sorting, clipping in, big ears to speedbar: the EPSILON 9 is intuitive and simple to manage. The new Automatic Dust Remove even sweeps the wing interior for you while you are flying! 

Paratroc’s review – Advance Epsilon 9 test in flight

Test report in flight of the Advance Epsilon 9 26 (conf: size 26 / 80-100kg, with lightness 3, total weight = 95kg) – shipped with carrying bag (4 different sizes), mini windsock, ripstop and manual quick start

On the ground:

The size 26 wing weight 4.65kg made of 38g Skytex fabric. Approximatively the same weight than the Epsilon 8 with 25m². New lighter inner bag with a zipper on the side (a compressbag but it’s too big to really compress the wing)

First glance… like the last Advance gliders, clean finish, sober design.

Design looking almost the same as the other ones because the colors are made for the fabric to be stronger on the leading and trailing edges.

47 cells, 2 more than the Epsilon 8 but same aspect ratio = 5.15 (not a lot)

With that little aspect ratio, the shape of the wing is closer to an Alpha than a Iota, very compact.

Cell openings on the leading edge on 3 cells (except on the 2 last ones), shark nose/3D shaping type technology, 2 sticks ribs for more solidity and for the shark nose. Only the cells at the end of the opening are lined, 4 feather closed cells with a Velcro on the trailing edge to empty the wing. Braids on the leading and trailing edges. No junctions on the trailing edge (phew!!!)

Trailing edge overstitched, in the middle of the cell with a really aesthetic shape (cf. photos).

Lines:

fake 3-lines (they’re divided at the top) + ramified stabs

Edelrid coated lines on the lower level and uncoated only on the upper level.

3 risers + 1 A’ for the ear kit (with magnet), they’re marked with different colors and codes, so you don’t attach the wing the wrong way, the stab line has a different color.

2A + 1A’ (ear kit) + 4B + 3C

Magnet attach with a round leader, the pulley is back ! - because there were too many problems with the ceramic ring. Adapted size of the handle. A swivel to prevent from twisting the break line.

Break action with clips, strong and direct (no more o-ring to the feathers like before)

Take-off:

Little bit of wind, inflate nice and steady, no hard point, no surpassing, felling easy and strong. As easy as an A, not a lot of energy but a bit of inertia.

Instant support, with a little pressure on the breaks you feel the wing pretty easily. As easy as the Epsilon 8.

With more wind, the wing doesn’t rip off, actually it auto-stabilizes itself above your head just like a school wing.

In-flight:

Faster and more responsive than the 8 but keeps a huge range before action, and a more precise break range, the glider is direct in roll but stable in pitch. I’m at 95kg, at middle top of the weight range, it easily engages a turn without any delay or reverse-roll. The glide is better than on the 8.

The brake handles aren’t too long, and the turn is efficient, very intuitive. It seems more damped than the 8 though. It comes back faster to straight flight even if you don’t need to force it in thermal turns.

Maneuver:

>>>pitch: hard to stay in rhythm and go get the stall point without unwittingly , the wing can’t shoot and do a front collapse (I swear I’m so close)

>>>ears: the A’ allows you to locate the right line to take, the ears re-open without even pumping.

>>>dynamic turn: no need to pitch before, neither reverse ¼ turns to get into a dynamic turn, full right, the wing turns really fast and smooth with no reverse roll, no strong or surprising acceleration.

>>>thermal turn: the wing position itself easily in thermals, despite its high stability.

Global grade = 5/5

The Epsilon 9 is a progress wing made for young talented pilots with 50-100 flights.

The Epsilon 9 is a calm and lengthened wing who allows you to do your firsts cross with a strong feeling of security.