After two years of development- and test time ICARO Paragliders launches the long awaited high level performance glider.

Different to the mainstream

After many experiments with different profiles with only three line levels and different canopy curvatures we have finally decided for the prototype which is farthest away from the mainstream today (3 lines, high canopy curvature, sticks).

The GTO RACE has 4 line levels which run up to the riser. This has great advantages to the true and false (C and D combines) three-liners:

The extreme flight characteristics are easier, the glider is safer. Despite 7,5 aspect ratio clapper, front- and full stalls are easy to control and the tendency to get tangled up is extremely low.

The fast speed the profile can be trimmed much more neatly because of the better load distribution. At full speed the profile is being changed into a reflex-profile through a slight change in the four levels. This enables a high stability and a better glide performance.

And very important: The fourth line level improves the climbing performance and the handling while centering thermals. Through the direct and much more efficient handling it is much easier to avoid asymmetric collapses in heavy turbulences and unloadings.

The clou: Despite the four line levels the GTO has got the same amount of main lines, just like the competition with three line levels and even less line resistance all together. This can be achieved by a genial geometry of the line galleries.

The canopy curvature of the GTO Race is compared to the competition very flat:

The projected area is bigger at the same form drag. The performance is better.
Good thermal pilots can hardly achieve advantages against the competition with gliders with high canopy curvature and perfect flight techniques.

This is different with gliders that have a flat curvature: The difference between good and moderate thermal pilots is distinctive. The good pilot will rise beyond the high curved canopies.

The material choice of the GTO is very complex:

Depending on the desired expansion we use different line materials and diameters. This way, for example, we use the ultra light Porche Marine Skytex 27 sailcloth to deactivate extreme flight characteristics.
The race-risers made of Kevlar with an easy going speed system are despite a precise six-fold attachment very well-arranged. There are no sticks or PVC-tubes for reinforcement used since the performance was achieved without using them and the tendency of tangles is minimised this way too.

Flight impressions GTO Race

The GTO Race flies surprisingly comfortable considering it is an elongated high performance glider. Its direct handling with no time lag is new for this class and not only guarantees better rising in the thermals but also total control in turbulences. This is being reinforced by the excessively long brake range in this class: A not intended oversteering in turbulences because of an extreme interception manoeuvre is therefore no subject for proficient pilots. For thermal flying and steering the first 10 to 20 cm are enough. Up to the stall point another 40 cm approx which are available for an interception. Due to the tensioning system at the brake the brake effect is being enhanced. The flat canopy offers good pilots the possibility to fly away from higher curved gliders with a better flight technique and a better performance. The slightly larger self motion of the canopy in heavy turbulences gives more time to the pilot to react to the upcoming release of pressure and to avoid asymmetric collapses. Due to the four line levels, light construction, leaving out rigid parts and the well balanced basic design the extreme flight characteristics are easy. A lot can be written about glide performance and speed: the real picture can only be given by comparing with the competition and this was always convincing for us.