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The
G-Force is an acro wing and I'm not an acro pilot so this review will
cover general flying, spirals and steep wingovers. Like the
Spice, it is highly efficient so, even though it is only 18 m² (16 m²
projected) it has a lot of lift and didn't require a excessively long run.
In fact, it was only after I saw a heavier pilot launch it that I was
willing to give it a go.
The test was done at 230 lbs using a
Blackhawk 172 (150# me, 65# motor, 15# wing). I didn't think the G-force I flew had trimmers but Para2000 shows it does.
Either way, I did not use trimmers or speedbar. Wing loading would be 12.8
lbs/m² flat and 14.4 lbs/m² projected. That's extremely high, the
highest I've ever flown without wheels.
Caution: I
recommend this wing only to PPG3 level pilots who have mastered active flying;
that is, keeping the wing overhead and open even in moderate (level
5) turbulence. It's incredibly light handling and rapid spin-up in
a big collapse will necessitate solid active piloting skills.
Handling (9): As you would expect, the
handling is extremely sporty. An inch of travel does a lot and this wing
could quickly get a pilot-induced oscillation going if not treated with
care. Basically it's a competition wing scaled down, just like the Spice
only more so. It may have other attributes that make it good for acro but
I can't comment on those.
Inflation (6): Inflation was easy but
it would be squirrelly if the pilot was unable to move left or right in a
strong wind. You won't correct an off-center condition as easy using
brakes alone as you would a beginner glider. There was just enough wind to
do a reverse. One benefit of a small wing is that, when you start moving, you can easily keep
moving.
I did have to run faster than the spice but
not by much.
Efficiency (8): You'll use more power
than a larger glider because you'll be going faster. There was enough
energy on landing to do a nice long power-off foot drag as it bled off
speed.
Speed (7): Tiny wings fly faster. This
one is real tiny.
Construction (5): Didn't look close
enough but at least the quick-links were closed (one wing I tested had all
the quick links opened - remind me to preflight better).
Certification & Safety (3): It's
neither certified nor recommended newer pilots. You'll want to
already be very adept at keeping your wing overhead in bumps for both
pitch and roll. Even though I knew what to expect I wound up in the
steepest wingover I've ever done with this thing and wasn't really
intending it to be quite that lively.
The G-force will probably stall and spin
quickly with excessive brake. The Spice does. And when it happens, expect
to pop your eye's out. I didn't experiment with stall, usually I
reserve that for sand dunes at 2 feet high and we didn't have those
around.
I remember on one of Phil Russman's videos
seeing Eric Dufour fly a 14 m² wing (I'll be reviewing the larger
version). On landing he just touched down and that thing whacked to the
ground. I'd hate to have that happen at 5 feet. Whatever you do, don't get
heavy handed with the brakes with this one until you've explored it
thoroughly.
Overall: I'm sure it would fare better
if I were an acro pilot. I wouldn't want to have this be my primary wing.
It's bite would be hard and fast. If steep maneuvering and incredible
sensitivity is your thing then give it a look.
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