Gin has been a long time respected maker of wings and has even made models for other companies. The Vantage is a beginner/intermediate paramotor wing with modern features to improve inflation and efficiency. I flew it in August, 2012 at about 10:30 am. They call it intermediate but it’s certified as an EN-B, at least in the free flight version, and felt like it would be appropriate for newer pilots.
This wing is larger than what I’m used to so the handling is dampened accordingly. My flight was during somewhat thermally conditions in late morning and I had great success thermalling.
2012 Gin Vantage being kited
A note on size. I’ve discovered that it can be hard to distinguish wings in the same class and size. A few have standout characteristics but most are more alike than different. This feels like other modern soaring gliders of the same size that I’ve flown but then so do many other “paramotor” wings. You’d be as comfy on a hill with this glider as you would on the motor which is just like my Pluto (which I’ve also soared) but the Vantage will almost certainly sport a lower sink rate.
Flying was done on a Miniplane Top 80 with 135 pounds of me, 55 pounds of motor, including fuel, and a 15 pound wing. That 205 pounds is below the placard weight of 95-118 kg (209 – 260 pounds) which guarantees that I will experience relatively sluggish handling. Heavier pilots will enjoy the wing quite a bit more.
Handling: It had decent for a larger wing and would have been plenty sporty with more weight. At my light weight I was not able to get it to dive into a steep turn without doing a small wingover in the opposite direction first. A heavier pilot would not notice this.
Inflation: It was easy to inflate in the 6 to 8 mph wind that I had and I estimate that it would be reasonably easy to inflat in zero wind although you’d probably need to stay on the A’s until it’s past 60 degrees. It was easy to kite and very predictable.
Risers: Standard 4 riser system with trimmers with no split A’s. The speedbar travel and trimmer travel was about average for a non reflex wing. The brake toggle comes on an adjustable pulley, allowing pilots of either high or low hook-in machines to set it correctly.
Efficiency: It has the same efficiency (glide and sink rate) as you expect of this class. It feels like a soaring wing with motor risers so it is likely better than average in this category.
Speed (-): Not super fast but that’s mostly because it’s bigger than what I normally fly. Use the formula listed under Small Wings and the Effect of Weight on Speed & Power Required to calculate what your speed would be. Here are the speeds:
Slow trim speed = 23 mph,
Fast trim speed = 25 mph,
Fast trim plus full speedbar = 30 mph.
My Top 80 had plenty of power even at its fastest speed.
Construction (-): Well built.
Certification & Safety (-): Gin’s website says it’s an EN-B, Para 2000 does not list any certification and I didn’t photograph the placard.
Overall (-): A great beginner to intermediate wing that appropriately weighted pilots will enjoy the handling and performance on if they’re not looking for high-end speed.
Video of kiting and flying the Gin Vantage 24