Discover your Potential

The EPSILON DLS is a basic intermediate with an EN/LTF B certification, which fits perfectly between the entry-level glider ALPHA and the high-B glider IOTA. After training, a direct change from the ALPHA to the EPSILON is possible without any problems.

EPSILON pilots will already have initial experience of flying in thermals and will have acquired a well-practised active flying style. They can recognise the onset of a collapse and resist this without overreaction.

The EPSILON series has been supporting improvers for 30 years; helping them develop their flying skills in the process. Climb higher, stay in the air longer, fly further: the EPSILON is the wing for the so many who have left their home site for the first time, and set out on the rewarding journey that is cross country flying.

Although pilots and dealers like products to be as light as possible, their feedback tells us that they are becoming increasingly reluctant to accept the degree of compromise in robustness and glider life that can go with light gliders. This demand has taken its time to become evident because pilots only become aware of the weaknesses of ultra-light products after using them for a while. Unless given special care, ultra-light gliders can suffer subtle but permanent airfoil deformation which may have a lasting effect on flight behaviour and performance. Porosity of lightweight fabrics might also become an issue associated with intensive use.

So we decided to confront this problem with our DLS concept, and develop a product that meets this wide spectrum of demands. Our many years experience of developing X-Alps equipment has helped us with this set of subjects. Computer-aided analysis enabled us to focus, in great detail, on those areas of a paraglider which are exposed to high stress, and therefore deserve specific attention. This allows us to selectively decide on the mix of lightweight and conventional materials to use, but, above all, design the best geometric shapes of individual components such as diagonals, tension bands or rib crossports in an economic way that also eliminates weaknesses in durability and robustness.

No: the 27gm fabric for the wing undersurface only saves around 150 gms, depending on glider size. Total weight saving subtracts more than five times this figure. Because the EPSILON DLS is up to 850 g lighter than its predecessor when using the optional light-risers.

The sum of many small but important details means that the new EPSILON DLS is a lightweight glider. Nevertheless, components that are important for durability, such as the ribs, are made of particularly low-stretch materials. The DLS difference comes from an intelligent material mix, fabric weight saving at less stressed areas, a re-analysis of sliced diagonal shapes, and geometrically optimized tension straps.

On request the EPSILON DLS can be ordered with light risers. These are ~180 gm lighter and, as well as their specific materials differ from standard risers as follows:

• Softlinks replace quick links
• Poppers instead of magnets
• Ceramic rings replace pulleys
• A3 runners instead of Quick-Snap

Hike to Fly focuses on the flight after the ascent on foot, as opposed to Hike & Fly or Climb & Fly where the ascent is the real challenge and the paraglider is used as a descent aid or fun mini-voile. A Hike to Fly equipment is a light and compact cross-country flight equipment with which, after the ascent on foot to a remote take-off place, also longer cross-country flights can be started.