Hangies.co.uk

Just found this on the BHPA website in the news section:

I wonder if it has a VG.

Avian confirms that the new Rio 17 does indeed come (optionally) with a VG.

17? Is that a typo or are they introducing a larger size? The current Rio is a 15'er.

That's what my instructor called it, and thought it was 17m2. (There used to be a larger Rio than the 15 in the old model, though rare, apparently.) I don't know why the size is so much larger. It's quite a bit bigger than my current wing. Not sure if I should be worried about penetration. (Maybe should do better in light conditions and marginal lift...though I tend not to fly if too many PGs are out.)

On order, with the optional VG. Rio 2 17

Congratulations! There's nothing like getting a brand new glider with that crispy sail and all those shining new fittings! :)

Yeah...now to keep it shiny and crisp in all those British cow and sheep pastures! Supposed to arrive late September.

Yeah...now to keep it shiny and crisp in all those British cow and sheep pastures! Supposed to arrive late September.

I went up to Avian a few weeks ago to have a look at the prototype.

It looks very nice indeed, the sail quality is just superb and it does have a VG option for a modest extra charge. I saw Steve Elkins fly it near the Blue John caves and although the conditions were marginal, he stayed up with the paragliders for quite a while until the wind died completely. I think the increase in sail area is to cope with us fatties. He did say that there will be a smaller version coming along soon.

And he got sheep poo on the sail.

No sheep poo on your Malibu, from the picture. I like the brightly coloured fringe. How are you liking it?

No sheep poo on your Malibu, from the picture. I like the brightly coloured fringe. How are you liking it?

So far, I like it very much.

I bought it instead of the Rio 2 because I thought the Rio would be too quick for me at my stage of training (CPC nearly done) and age (58). I'm flying at the Southern Club. CPC day 2, there were 31 paragliders airborne when I arrived at Devil's Dyke and this Saturday there were 26. I could imagine me whooshing through that lot under a Rio2:, "Sorry! Oops, Sorry! Beg your pardon" etc etc.

The school used Fun 190's for training and IMHO the Malibu is nicer in handling than they were, more responsive to roll input. The stall is very benign and announces itself with a loud drumming noise and shaking of the wing, but is very straight without much tendency to drop the nose. The wing can be forced to parachute. The sail material is a lighter weight than the Fun (and the Rio2) and although it makes the wing lighter, I couldn't see a Malibu putting up with students the way the Fun does. I had a 90 degree rogallo years and years ago and I think it actually was nicer to handle than the Fun but the Malibu gives me the same level of confidence, particularly close to the hill when you want the thing to turn when it's told to! Not that the Fun is in any way deficient, it's just that the Malibu is a later design and is just a little better all round.

The trouble is, it's now nearly 4 grand due to the exchange rate, so the Rio2 looks better and better value. Steve Elkins says he has a single surface design on the cards and as long as it outperforms the Falcon 3 and the Funky, then he should do well with it.

Steve Elkins says he has a single surface design on the cards and as long as it outperforms the Falcon 3 and the Funky, then he should do well with it.

Oh god - please stop......can't take all these rumours about forthcoming gliders!

First the Rio2 and now a new single surface design? Info, pictures.....something....please

Steve Elkins says he has a single surface design on the cards and as long as it outperforms the Falcon 3 and the Funky, then he should do well with it.

Oh god - please stop......can't take all these rumours about forthcoming gliders!

First the Rio2 and now a new single surface design? Info, pictures.....something....please

Well,

Steve reports that he has his first two Rio2 production airframes ready for the sails (as of last week) so delivery is imminent.

I e-mailed steve saying I wouldn't be buying a Rio 2 immediately and told him why. I offered the opinion that there weren't enough beginners' gliders around and maybe he would do well with one, the exchange rates being what they are. His reply was that there actually was an airframe for a single surface design in his loft during my visit and he expects to start development flying this year.

He should have production sometime ready for the summer schooling I expect.

I guess that Avian's site needs a bit of updating. Most of the Icaro gliders aren't in production anymore. And while he's at it he might aswell add a bit of info on the new Rio2.

I wonder if Steve Elkins is reading this?

I took some photo's for Steve (about 100) while I was there, maybe one'll find its way onto the web.

I looked at the members list, there doesn't seem to be anyone who could qualify as Steve Elkins. I think his basic problem is one of time; he's a small operation and doesn't seem to have the "critical mass" that allows for time overheads like web design. The Rio 2 is so nice that some really good publicity shots, paricularly of the sail and the clever tip-wand construction (integrates the dive strut and end batten) would prove a clincher for people in the intermediate market.

and if you are tempted, I'd e-mail or phone and ask for some piccies.

On order, with the optional VG. Rio 2 17

Jim,

I'm curious as to why you've gone with a 17m^2 wing, I would have thought a 15 would have been spot on for your weight - what are the quoted hook-in weights for the 17? I couldn't see any specs on the webiste. my sting2 175 suits me nicely, but at a guess I'm 4stone heavier than you are & I would have thought the handling would suffer with you being somewhat light on a larger glider. you're welcome to try my sting the next time I see you on the hill, if you like

Andy

On order, with the optional VG. Rio 2 17

what are the quoted hook-in weights for the 17? I couldn't see any specs on the webiste.

Andy

Airways Airsports have some preliminary data on the wing.

On order, with the optional VG. Rio 2 17

what are the quoted hook-in weights for the 17? I couldn't see any specs on the webiste.

Andy

Airways Airsports have some preliminary data on the wing.

Here's a direct link:

http://shop.airways-airsports.com/hang-gliding-equipment/hang-glider/avian-rio-2-17.html

Avian's website has been updated with a nice 6 page brochure on the Rio2: