ALPHA 4 - Simply flying
Maximum tolerance
Whatever you get up to with the ALPHA 4, you’ll find it very forgiving. With its dampened
profile – the real secret – and reasonably short lines, the ALPHA 4 always
finds its way back into a neutral attitude and only shows a marked increase in control
pressure in response to greatly exaggerated steering inputs.
Consistent launch behaviour
The round cell openings – a hallmark of an ADVANCE glider – and the mylar-reinforced
cell ribs ensure that the canopy fills quickly and evenly. Whether in a gentle
tailwind or pleasant up-current, the ALPHA 4 rises in a consistent manner with
minimal tendency to shoot forward, guaranteeing an efficient and easy launch.
Maximum flying life thanks to the Smart Sail System
Beginners demand a lot from their paraglider, especially when practising inflations
and during their first short flights. With this in mind, tougher materials have
been used consistently throughout the ALPHA 4. With our Smart Sail System in the
leading edge, the layout of the specially impregnated ripstop material has been
carefully calculated to match the diagonal tractive forces.
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Design features:
- The ALPHA 4 features separated A-risers. Our innovative Quick-Snap system
means they are automatically snapped together before launch, and detach when
under load to assume the correct position for a precise wing profile. Not only do
they assist in ground handling, the split A-risers facilitate easy Big Ears.
- The flight characteristics of the ALPHA 4 have been tailored to fulfil the requirements
of its target group of pleasure pilots.
- The profile has been meticulously designed to offer great climb values when thermalling,
yet promote high stability through damping in rough conditions.
- The ALPHA 4 can be flown slower than gliders with higher aspect ratios. Top landings
or landings in tricky conditions are easy; the wing builds up little energy from
strong brake inputs, and is very forgiving of over-control on the brakes.
- The ‘compact’ profile, well-balanced line configuration and modest aspect ratio
result in a glider that is agile and precise in flight, with a comfortable brake pressure.
In the past, low brake pressure and agility have often only been achieved with
undesirable dynamic effects. The ALPHA 4 sets a high benchmark with its consistent
flight behaviour, maintaining all the best features of its predecessor .
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The passion for perfection
- Mylar reinforced cell walls and leading edge for an easy take off. The leading
edge of the canopy is pre-shaped ready for inflation on the ground due to the
layout of the reinforcing. The stability in accelerated flight is enhanced due to
this reinforcing.
- An additional Mylar reinforcement of the leading and trailing edge improves the
durability and longevity of the glider.
- Longitudinal straps ensure a better stability of the canopy and prevent unnecessary
movement that can influence the performance and the handling of the glider.
- All the stitching is internal to prevent the seams from abrasion.
- All cells are scaled and diminish in size from the centre of the wing to the wingtips.
This prevents wrinkles along the cell walls and assures a beautifully clean
aerodynamic shape. Advance, having pioneered cell scaling, now incorporate
a feature practically unique amongst range of wings on the market today. Not
only are the cells scaled across the span, they are scaled internally across the
chord of the wing - in order to achieve the cleanest, crease-free profile.
- The brake handles are fixed with a magnetic clip to allow easy access. The
shape and the flexibility of the brake handles ensure maximum comfort even
after hours of flying.
- The brake line swivel is another innovative idea from ADVANCE. It prevents the
brake lines from twisting up if you usually fly with a wrap.
- The big ears kit is easy to use and perfectly integrated to
the risers.
- The winglets, which are an important aerodynamic element, are a trademark
of our wings. They reduce the turbulence at the wingtip (Vortex-effect) and
can improve the handling.
- The velcro openings at the wing tips make the removal of dirt and debris much
easier.
- The “ring raff system” improves the homogeneity of the brake and turn behaviour
of the glider.
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Behaviour:
- Easy and homogeneous inflation: the wing rises progressively,
without any hard point and does not overtake the pilot. Easy to
correct when not inflating symmetrically. It is obvious for an
advanced pilot and beginners alike.
- Progressive and homogenous spiral braking; perfect speed and
amplitude reaction. Exiting spirals, the wing comes immediately
overhead without any pitching oscillations.
- High level of performance in it's category and great fun. Best
glide angle at trim speed, soft speed system in the early travel
and very efficient through the whole speed range.
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Weight range
Blue: Shows the total weight range of the glider and the min. and max. trim speed.
White: The dynamic side of the ALPHA 4 – The Pilot prefers a glider with dynamic handling and a high groundspeed.
Grey: The thermal side of the ALPHA 4 – The Pilot prefers a glider with smoother reactions and a better climb ratio in weak thermals.
Which harness?
The ADVANCE ALPHA 4 is certified for harnesses in group GH (without rigid crossbracing
- see the «Certification» section). The suspension points of the chosen
harness should ideally have a distance of 40 to 45 cm as well as a height of 40 to
46 cm.
The ALPHA 4 is neither suitable nor approved for harnesses in the GX group (with
active cross-bracing). The use of this type of harness may have a detrimental effect
on the handling and extreme flight characteristics.
The ALPHA 4 is delivered with :
- the new JETBAG sack, M or L, with removable belt.
- internal protection bag for the glider
- a small protection bag for the risers
- compression strap
- speed system
- repair kit
- user manual
Colors and design
Colour code - Leading edge & winglets / design stripe / top & bottom surface
PETROL - Orange / White / Petrol ORANGE - Red / White / Orange TURKIS - Petrol / White / Turkis RED - Gold / White / Red STEEL - Gold / Petrol / Steel
Certification
The ADVANCE ALPHA 4 has been awarded DHV 1 and EN to all sizes in un-accelerated
and accelerated flight. The certification reports can be downloaded from
www.advance.ch. Furthermore the sizes 25, 28 and 31 have a DULV certification
for motorized flying.
Certification ratings are only able to provide limited information on a paraglider’s
flying behaviour in thermally active and turbulent air. The certification is based primarily
on provoked extreme flight manoeuvres in non-turbulent air.
During the development of an ADVANCE paraglider, the emphasis is first and foremost
on flying behaviour and handling and not exclusively on the certification test.
The result is a balanced product with the familiar ADVANCE handling. Nevertheless,
certification rating occupies a significant proportion of the specifications that must
be fulfilled.
Materials in construction
- Leading edge : New Skytex 6.6 Evolution waterrepellent,
9092 E117, 44 gr/m2
- Upper surface: New Skytex 6.6 waterrepellent, 9092 E77A,
44 gr/m2
- Bottom surface : New Skytex 6.6 waterrepellent, 9017 E77A,
40 gr/m2
- Supported ribs : New Skytex 6.6, 9092 E38A, 44 gr/m2
- Unsupported ribs : New Skytex 6.6, 9017 E38A, 40 gr/m2
- Enclosing strap of the leading
edge and trailing edge : Polyester/Mylar, 20 mm
- Enclosing strap of the leading
edge lower surface : Polyamid, 16 mm
- Suspension lines : Liros Dyneema + Technora, sheathed Polyester
- Edelrid Technora (Aramid) 6843, 240/200/160, sheathed,
2.1 mm / 1.9 mm / 1.5 mm (main lines)
- Edelrid Technora (Aramid), 6843, 120, sheathed,
1.4 mm (2nd level)
- Liros Dynema, PPSL 120, sheathed, 1.15 mm (1st level)
- Risers : Polyester 22 mm, 1100 kg
- Quick links : Inox 3.5 mm, 750 kg
Technical specifications
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Model |
23 |
25 |
28 |
31 |
| Surface flat - m2 |
23.66 |
25.59 |
28.47 |
31.79 |
| Projected surface - m2 |
20.27 |
21.92 |
24.39 |
27.23 |
| Span - m |
10.60 |
11.03 |
11.63 |
12.29 |
| Projected span - m |
8.45 |
8.79 |
9.27 |
9.80 |
| Aspect ratio |
4.75 |
4.75 |
4.75 |
4.75 |
| Projected aspect ratio |
3.52 |
3.52 |
3.52 |
3.52 |
| Max chord - m |
2.78 |
2.89 |
3.05 |
3.23 |
| Min chord - m |
0.63 |
0.65 |
0.69 |
0.73 |
| Cells |
39 |
39 |
39 |
39 |
| Take off weight - kg (pilot, wing, equipment) |
55/75 |
65/88 |
78/106 |
96/130 |
| Weight of the glider - kg |
5.3 |
5.6 |
6.1 |
6.6 |
| Maxi length of the lines with the risers - cm |
674 |
701 |
739 |
781 |
| Minimum speed - km/h |
22+/-1 |
22+/-1 |
22+/-1 |
22+/-1 |
| Max speed without speed-system - km/h |
38+/-1 |
38+/-1 |
38+/-1 |
38+/-1 |
| Max speed with speed-system - km/h |
47+/-2 |
47+/-2 |
47+/-2 |
47+/-2 |
| Min. sink rate m/s |
1.15 |
1.15 |
1.15 |
1.15 |
| Glide |
8.3+/-1 |
8.3+/-1 |
8.3+/-1 |
8.3+/-1 |
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