|
Images can be magnified by clicking.
|
 |
BODYGUARD XL II by U-Turn available as bi-place!
The BODYGUARD stands for a very high level of safety and relaxed paragliding. This naturally applies to the BODYGUARD II as well. By implementing lots of technical innovations and enhancements, designer Ernst Strobl managed to keep the very remarkable safety level, but simoultaneously improved the performance and agility of the canopy.
The most important development on this glider is the alteration in the offset-ratio of the profiles in the outer area. A wealth of achievement and especially more flight agility which reacts more directly to navigating impulses, is the result of the trim which is adjusted to this method of construction.
In this combination the approved AFS-system still guarantees highest safety. Like the previous model the AFS system is basically effective to the outer cells.
The application of a lighter material of NCV causes a weight reduction of about ten percent. The upper sail uses a cloth which weighs 40g/qm (before 45g/qm) and the cloth of the lower sail weighs 36g/qm (before 40g/qm). That way the pilots of a BODYGUARD II can benefit of the proceedings in the material developing. That applies to the lines, too. The BODYGUARD II is now completely equipped with Liros lines. This reduces the extension although the cross cuts could be reduced partly so the achievement can benefit from that again. The extension of the B-riser by ten centimetres leads to the improved ergonomics. The B-stall which enables sinking rates of 5 meters/sec is now easier to induce and especially more effortless to handle.
According to the development the BODYGUARD II expands its rank as a favoured glider for education and beginners. It is available in attractive colour combinations and with the new U-Turn claw. Strobl worked together with the most experienced flight instructors from our competence centres. Their know-how, having taught thousands of flight students, was introduced into the design-process right from the beginning, another reason for the outstanding security level of this glider. The notion “Design for Learning” was developed consequently. What are the mistakes most commonly made by beginners? What are the major difficulties in learning to fly actively and safely? Which features must a modern canopy have to provide beginners maximum safety, but also fun and convenience?
The BODYGUARDs II answers to these questions are convincing:
The AFS-system. The B-flight help. The extra strap as assistance for Big-Ears. The swept-back design of the wing tips. The Easy-Fix system of the risers. The Dirt-Outs with Velcro closure. These innovations make the BODYGUARD II a high-tech-glider, flying in a class of its own.
AFS system: thousandfold approved
With the AFS-system U-Turn introduces a world first to the market. This system has been even more improved. To fly safely means to fly actively – the system employed on the BODYGUARD II allows this to happen automatically to a certain level. The secret of the AFS-system is based on a pre-tensioning principle. In the area of the brake attachment points the under surface is pre-tensioned. While the sail is gliding through smooth air, there is enough pressure inside and the pre-tensioning is neutralised: The effect of internal pressure is more powerful than the pre-tensioning and the trailing edge stays aerodynamically perfect in the air like a conventional glider.
When entering turbulent air with the BODYGUARD II the system adjusts immediately, even the slightest drop of internal pressure allows the system to react. The pre-tensioning at the trailing edge is as effective as pulling the brakes. The AFS works like the Electronic Stability Programs known in the automotive industry, you could call it an “ESP for the air”. It intervenes for the benefit of safety when an inexperienced pilot, or a pilot in trouble, enters turbulence and is unable to fly actively. The risk of collapse of the canopy, still main reason for accidents, is dramatically reduced.
Even without AFS the BODYGUARD II would be a very safe glider says Strobl. Due to the extremely pulled down winglets and the resulting spread of the canopy the BODYGUARD II has far more than average resistance to collapses. The BODYGUARD IIglides stably ahead even after an accelerated asymmetric collapse, a situation that may happen after leaving a thermal, even with 50% of the wing area collapsed”. This is simply outstanding.
Approved features: B-flight help and assistance for Big-Ears
Sources of error doing fast descents by B-stall or Big-Ears should be eliminated by appropriate design. B-stall and Big-Ears both have potential for error if they are not performed properly.
Folding the winglets, known as Big-Ears, leads normally to a very stable flight attitude. The canopy stays steerable with a sink rate of around 3 – 5 metres/second (depending on the number of cells folded) and will fly straight ahead because both the angle of attack and the wing load increase. However, inexperienced pilots often mix up the outer A-lines with the outer B-lines, the wingtip lines, or with the most serious results, the outer D-lines.
The BODYGUARD II comes up against these dangers with the “Big-Ears Assistant”. An extra long, thin and distinctive strap, attached to the risers, ensures safe and efficient Big-Ears. Flight instructors explained: “During our training we notice again and again, that inexperienced pilots in stressful situations don’t know which line to pull”. With the new assistant this issue is history.
The situation is similar with the B-flight-help. The B-stall is initiated by pulling the B-lines, the airflow at the top-surface detaches and the canopy folds in a span wise direction, the glider sinking 5-8 metres/second without any forward flight. In case of pulling the C-lines mistakenly, the whole flight attitude starts to become unstable, the canopy enters deep stall and violent oscillation arises – simply not possible with the distinctive B-flight Help. The B-flight-system provides the possibility for sink rates of approx. 5m/s by a fully steerable canopy.
Besides these safety features the BODYGUARD II provides several user-friendly details, maximizing the fun. Using the Easy-Fix you can fix the risers after packing. This eliminates possible tangling of the lines in the risers. Whoever flies often or likes to climb up the hill immediately after a flight will love the Easy-Fix system.
Finally the Dirt-Outs lighten the effort of removing dirt or greenery out of the canopy.
In the strictest sense, the BODYGUARD II is not only setting benchmarks as far as safety is concerned, it is ringing in a paradigm shift in glider design. Although the whole design process was primarily concerned with safety, Ernst Strobl managed to design a piece of sports equipment, whose characteristics guarantee untroubled fun.
On the one hand the BODYGUARD is uncompromisingly safe, but with the BODYGUARDS attractive flight characteristics there is no compromise, the enjoyment of paragliding is not diminished.
More Information: Bodyguard II Colours (PDF, 75 kByte) Bodyguard II Surface Loads (PDF, 67 kByte) Lineplan Bodyguard II (PDF, 51 kByte) Lineplan Bodyguard II info (PDF, 30 kByte) Technical Data Bodyguard II (PDF, 35 kByte) Adobe Reader is necessary for viewing PDF-Files. It may be downloaded for free at www.adobe.de
|
)
)
)
)