Please note that the Sigma 6 is no longer in production, being superceded by the Sigma 7

Discover your sixth sense: Sigma 6

The SIGMA has always been endowed with a brilliant and safe behaviour, allowing advanced and regular pilots to (re)discover a playful and dynamic dimension of flying: pleasure, precision and efficiency.

With the SIGMA 6, ADVANCE will again complete the renewal of its entire range within 2 years!
The SIGMA 6 is the 25th model marketed by ADVANCE. Thomas Ripplinger, responsible for R&D, thanks Kari Eisenhut and Chrigel Maurer for their extraordinary effort and energy they have invested in the final finish and the homologation of the glider. Without this effort, the Sigma 6 would not have get ready in this timely manner.

SIGMA 5 vs. SIGMA 6 : What are the differences?

Significant technical changes from the SIGMA 5 are as follows:

The aspect ratio is increased from 5.2 to 5.48, closing in on the OMEGA 5's aspect ratio of 5.6, and improving the glide performance and top speed. ADVANCE have created a new profile for the new wing and a newly optimised line layout. Both are based on the OMEGA 6. The number of cells has increased from the SIGMA 5's 58 to 61, and more of them are closed, or semi-closed. The internal bracing and tapes are further optimised to improve canopy integrity and stability. The lower surface is now made from a lighter (40g/m2) cloth to keep weight in check. The SIGMA 6 is a completely new design with a quite different flavor from the 5. It is not a SIGMA 5 on steroids.

The glider is slightly smaller in both flat and projected area than the SIGMA 5 and the lines are also shorter. The whole glider is actually lighter than the SIGMA 5. The three-level suspension lines will retain the familiar layout of 3 A, 3 B, 3 C + Stabilo, 2 D. Other features should be as per the SIGMA 5, including the wingtip ports for easy cleaning, and the new swivel brake handles as seen on the OMEGA 6.
Further development has been done on human interface and the SIGMA 6 risers and brakes are graded in size according to the canopy size as heavier pilots usually have longer arms and larger hands. The risers also feature a new indicator for the speed system so you can see at a glance how much bar you are using.

In terms of performance, somewhere between 8.8 and 9.2 will be seen at best glide, dependent on the posture and total aerodynamic aids the pilots uses, such as cocoon harness, speed-arms etc. Top speed is improved to around 54kph and glide at high speed is significantly better. After evaluating feedback from SIGMA 5 owners, ADVANCE have developed the SIGMA 6 with lighter brake pressures, and quicker response to brake input. In other words it's handling is a return to the nimbleness and agility of the legendary SIGMA 4, but with the increased pitch stability and passive safety of the SIGMA 5. The new glider benefits from an improvement in roll rate, more accuracy in maintaining bank angle, and more feedback from the canopy. The glider is much more communicative than the SIGMA 5, but it also responds much faster to steering input.

The glider is being presented in 4 sizes, 24 (55~75kg), 26 (70~95kg), 28 (85~110kg) and 31 (100~130kg). The new weight ranges are now a bit more in line with industry norms. Color combinations are White, Turquoise, Orange and Red.

Who is the SIGMA 6 marketed at?

Since the pilot profile of the EPSILON 4 was raised to please more demanding pilots, the SIGMA 6 is also developed to appeal to a more demanding audience than that of the SIGMA 5. The performance is now increased to a level close to that of the OMEGA 6, and this makes it an ideal choice for XC pilots and quite capable in competition. The new handling package also makes the glider quite suitable for the needs of acro pilots, especially when flown toward the high end of the weight range.
Despite the fact that the SIGMA 6 will set new performance standards in it's class, it has been able to obtain remarkable passive safety. Anyone who has gained mastery of the EPSILON 4 and is looking for increased performance should quickly feel quite at home on the SIGMA 6. A confident SIGMA 5 pilot will segue into the new 6 with ease.

Certification

ADVANCE is pleased to announce that the SIGMA 6 has successfully passed the DHV tests in all sizes, independently performed by Alain Zoller and Mike Kung. Both testers stated that the tested SIGMA 6's are well within the DHV 2 class with sufficient margin to the upper limit of this category. The gliders have a lot of 1-2's, and even some 1's, and only a very few 2's. Among the very few DHV 2 classifications are the accelerated front stall and the accelerated assymetric collapse, and/or countersteering. We think this is a very good classification, especially taking into account that the most frequent accident cause, the assymetric collapse, gets only a DHV 1-2 at trim speed. On some sizes even accelerated assymetric passes at DHV1-2.
The glider is now in full production and available from stock.
From my first test flights I can say the recovery from assymmetric collapse is easier than the 5 with no tendency to turn from a 40% brought on by flying out the back of a fairly rough thermal. The glider also gives a lot more warning of impending deflation to the pilot.
Test reports available here: 22 | 26 | 28 | 31

Technical specs:

Which harness?

The SIGMA 6 has been developed and tested with the ADVANCE harness.
Then we strongly advise the use of the latest generation of ADVANCE harnesses like the Progress or Success.
When using a harness from another brand, be sure that the chest strap width is between 44 and 46 cm and that the height of the attachment points is between 42 and 46 cm.

Colors :

Materials in construction:

• Upper surface, cell rib : Nylon NCV Water-repellant New Skytex 6.6, 44 gr/m2
• Lowe surface: Nylon NCV Water-repellant New Skytex 6.6, 40gr/m2
• Reinforcement tapes leading and trailing edges: Polyester/Mylar 20mm
• Reinforcement tapes leading and trailing edges: Polyamid 16mm
• Suspension lines : Liros Dyneema + Edelrid aramid, sheathed Polyester
• Liros : 0,95 mm (upper gallery) / 1,15 mm (mid gallery)
• Edelrid aramid : 2.1mm / 1.9mm / 1.5mm
• Risers : Polyester 22 mm, 1100 kg
• Quick links : Inox 3,5 mm, 750 kg

The SIGMA 6 will be delivered with :

• the new JETPACK sack in either M or L size
• internal protection bag for the glider
• a small protection bag for the risers
• compression strap
• repair kit
• user manual
• a small windsock pennant

First impressions