possible candidates -2: Test Ikuma2

Ziad Basil (Dust of the Universe) has now published his test of the Ikuma2

Pix by niviuk.com/

Launching seems to be much more straightforward than with the 777 Rook3...
...but by compairing the 2 test reports I get the impression that Ziad Basil seems more enthusiastic about the Rook3. Can't wait to get my hands on one of those gliders ;-)

flyfiesch

Rob Smith's excellent website about flying "Fiesch, the Goms and further east" 

has changed its URL: 

flyfiesch.c1.biz/

Fiescherhorn (looking North): Aletschglacier, Fiescherhörner,  Fiescherglacier

Fiesch - Transport of hanggliders

As you might know, the (two) large cable cars in Fiesch, which had been used for many years for transporting hangliders have been dismanteld last year and replaced by a new gondola. These gondolas depart from a newly built station, which also serves as train/ bus station. It is -obviously- situated near the railway line of the MGB (Matterhorn-Gotthard-Bahn). 

the new hub: Train-, Bus- and Gondola station*

 
These gondolas offer space for 10 passengers - which is too small for transporting hanggliders.

Gondola for 10 passengers*

But: they have special special transport gondolas for transporting goods (and also hanggliders).
>> There may be waiting times until a transport gondola is available at the bottom station for loading the hanggliders!
Therefore it might be necessary to arrive well in advance in order to secure a space on such a gondola...

Timetable

Station at Fiescheralp*

Be it with para- or hanggliders: I wish you many safe and great flights! Fly high! Fly safe!

* all pix from 'Aletscharena' (via Flickr)

possible 'candidates' -1

Here is some info about a possible replacement glider for my Rook 2:
777 Rook 3, Niviuk Ikuma 2, U-Turn Vision

Triple Seven Rook3   
Test in 'Thermik' (German, printed)
Test by Ziad Basil  Dust of the Universe

Something I had first noticed in 'Thermik' -by reading kind of in between the lines- (as in these test for magazines deficiencies normally are not very 'openly' communicated) is the nil-/ light-wind launch handling. Ziad Basil is more open about it and this has also be confirmed by Nicole (she's been flying S and MS sized R3: the wing does not rise very easily and needs to be guided until staying really above of your head - otherwise there is a tendency that it will drop back again... But otherwise the overall performance is said to be great.

An interesting feature seems to be what they call the BC-system:

Pix from 777gliders.com

By looking at the pix/ video I just hope that I'll be able to reach high enough with my left hand...

>> unfortunately, so far no date has been set by 777 when this glider will be available in size L :-(


Niviuk Ikuma 2              
Test by Ziad Basil  (in progress)
Test Report

Niviuk has a similar feature, the call it C2BSystem:

Pix from niviuk.com

Niviuk's description: this new integrated system on the risers allows a 3-liner to be flown as if it were a 2-liner. Steering with the C-risers automatically includes the B-risers and this helps the profile to keep its shape and offers a better flight behaviour during glide.



U-Turn Vision 
Test by gleitschirm-optimal.de
Test by Ziad Basil  Dust of the Universe    
Test Report

The risers on the Vison have no such 'gimmicks' (beside the C-handles)   ;-)