The Envy 2 is a high performance, cross-country glider with very high safety and stability. The Envy 1 set a high standard within the DHV 2 category of gliders and the Envy 2 follows the story. The performance profits from the experience gained in production of the Magus series, and the overall respect gained by the Envy 1.
Performance, agility, stability and high climbing performance were again our goals when designing this high performance glider. The Envy 2 was made for cross country oriented pilots looking for relaxed flying and for pilots progressing from Intermediate gliders to expand their skills. The pilot will easily progress with this glider. Carefully calculated airfoils of different thicknesses give the glider an excellent glide performance and stability both at trim and in accelerated flight. It features excellent stability at full speed. This feature makes the Envy 2 stand out as supreme amongst its competitors.
The slim elliptical form of the canopy has an aspect ratio of 5.74. The Envy has 56 cells with full diagonals. The cells get thinner closer to the wing tip. The reinforcements on the ribs help to maintain clean airfoils. The reinforcement on the Leading edge provides an absolutely clean profile. The line configuration using a minimum number of lines is the same as used in the Envy 1 and helps maintain a clean canopy. Lines are attached to every third rib and this construction allows the lines to be reduced to two tiers. The brake system is the same as that used on the Envy 1. The reinforcement flap system in the centre of canopy combined with the bunching system on the wing tips give precise handling with outstanding climbing performance.
The Envy 2 is brilliant on the ground. MAC PARA pilots have, over the years, become accustomed to the indulgence of easy launch and landing characteristics. Everything feels very predictable in all launch conditions. In fact, no more demanding than a 1-2 in any respect, despite the greater aspect ratio. The Envy 2 is equipped with 20 mm risers. The split “A” risers facilitate Big Ears. The positioning of the outermost “A” line makes progressive closure easy. Opening is smooth and predictable.
The glider is undemanding and resistant to collapse in rough air. It features excellent stability throughout the full weight and speed range. Glide performance has increased compared to its predecessor as has trim speed and accelerated flight. In an induced collapse the glider does not rotate quickly and will usually reopen within 60 degrees.
The handling is precise. The moderate brake pressure allows pleasant turns with good climbing performance and increases progressively toward the end of its travel to offer safety reserves. The canopy is moderately damped in all axes and offers agility in turns. It does not overshoot much or sit back. We pay great attention to small detail. The Envy 2 is equipped as standard with brake handles with a swivel and magnetic clips. Velcro closures on the wingtips make access easier to remove any sand, grass or small stones from the glider.
The use of high-quality materials and constant quality control during manufacturing process together with consistent development work on our computer programme “PG” produces high quality products. We are proud of them.
MacPara Envy 2 Review
MACPARA’S DESCRIPTION
The Envy 2 is a high performance, cross-country glider with very high safety and stability. The performance profits from the experience gained in production of the Magus [competition] series.
BACKGROUND
MacPara came into existence in the early nineties and have gradually grown over the ensuing years to become one of the major brands in our sport. At the helm from the start has been manager and designer, Peter Reček. Over the last few years the company has enjoyed a large amount of competition success with their Magus range and pilots such as Petra Slivova, Tomas Brauner, Greg Blondeau, Yassen ‘big bird’ Savov and of course the Valic brothers. MacPara have also gained several world records with Nev Hulett’ current open distance record of 503 km set on a Magus, as well as previous records from the Valics and women’s record which was until a few weeks ago held by Petra.
The company are based in the north east of the Czech Republic in the town of Roznov. The town is close to flying sites on the Beskydy hills. Production is split between the facility in Roznov and Gin’s production plants in Korea.
THE DESIGNER’S OWN WORDS
What were your aims when you were developing the Envy 2
We enjoyed a lot of success with the original Envy and wanted to keep a similar concept: an LTF2 glider with very high stability and sporty handling. Of course we wanted to keep all the good features of its predecessor such as the easy take-off characteristics, stability and speed range.
One of our aims was to place it more in the middle of the Eden 4 and Magus XC. To improve the glide, climbing performance and speed we used the aerofoil profile from the Magus 6 in the central part of the glider. As we have done with all our gliders since 2000 the aerofoil profile varies in depth across the span. In all we made five prototypes during its development.
What group of pilots is the Envy2 aimed at?
The Envy 2 was made for cross country oriented pilots looking for relaxed flying and for pilots progressing from intermediate gliders to expand their skills.
What style of flying is the Envy 2 most suited to?
If you are gentle on the controls it has very easy behaviour but if you want to find its sporty side it offers nice dynamic handling allowing you to easily master wingovers, SATs and spirals.
Where in the weight range should the Envy 2 be flown?
As with the first Envy it can be flown anywhere in the weight range. Of course like any glider it becomes more dynamic and fun when highly loaded.
What will and existing Envy pilot notice if they try the Envy 2?
We think they will notice improved climbing performance along with a better accelerated glide. In our tests we found that when gliding at 30% bar with a faired harness it has similar performance to many competition gliders, which is of course great for flying cross country. The brakes are slightly heavier and the wing is more dynamic with a little more feedback when entering and leaving thermals.
What are you most pleased about the new glider?
That it’s been well received by the pilots who have flown it and sales are good.
What’s next from MacPara?
We’re working on a new paramotor wing, the ‘MacJet’ with full reflex.
CONSTRUCTION
The glider is a very clean with a classic elliptical design with an aspect ratio that isn’t too radical at 5.74. It sports a variation on MacPara’s distinctive livery that incorporates the ‘M’ logo. As with many of the company’s wings it seems to use very little in the way of trickery, you won’t find any pieces of plastic in the leading edge. Peter once told me he likes to have all the tricks hidden under the bonnet. However, one little trick that you’ll notice when you look at the leading edge is small Mylar shapers sewn into the middle of the top surface of each cell, to help improve the aerofoil shape in this area as most of the lift is generated here. The canopy is made from Porcher Skytex with 45 g/m2 cloth used on the leading edge and 40 g/m2 cloth used further back.
The line layout is simple with three main lines per riser, the a-risers are split, and only one bifurcation point. The lines are Aramid Kevlar lines from Edelrid. The brake system uses rings on the trailing edge to bunch the tips under breaking, MacPara also have what they call a ‘reinforcement flap system’ in the centre of the wing to stiffen that section of the wing.
The risers are very clean and simple with no fuss. Split A’s make pulling big ears easy. The brake handles are kept in place by metal magnetic keepers and have swivels to stop brake lines getting twisted. The speed system utilises the step down system found on some Gin and Advance gliders. This system switches the speed system from 2:1 to 3:1 and means that the initial push is light becoming harder as the system goes to 3:1, which lets you know when you’re going into the second, less efficient, part of the speed system – keep it for punching into strong headwinds or racing between closely spaced strong thermals. Everything is finished to the quality you would expect from a mainstream manufacturer.
The Envy 2 is available in five sizes covering all up weights from 65 kg up to a massive 165 kg although the largest size is only available to special order and has no certification. I chose to fly the Envy 2 28 right at the top of its weight range with my Sup’Air Vampair harness and a little lower in the range with a Sup’Air Evo XC harness. The glider was delivered with the latest backpack from MacPara, which is well constructed and comfortable, with three compression straps. As well as the required manual the glider also came with a complete repair kit, a T-shirt and even a mini multi-tool emblazoned with MacPara logos.
LAUNCHING
MacPara can certainly tick off one of their targets with this glider; it has to be one of the easiest LTF2 gliders to launch. Indeed it is no more demanding than most 1-2s. While testing the wing I took off in varied conditions from light thermic conditions to stronger breezes. In all cases it behaved impeccably, rising smoothly with a gentle tug of the risers and stopping overhead. Once there it felt very solid and easy to control. For those moving up from lower class gliders this will make the transition easy.
IN THE AIR
Once you are airborne the first thing you will notice is how solid everything feels; this wing carves through the air feeling secure and unhurried. On entering thermals there is no aggressive pitching movement, making for a very comfortable ride. The lack of pitching means you can actively accelerate the wing into thermals before using the energy that builds up in your first turn.
It is very easy to control your turns with this wing. A short pull on the brake easily puts the wing in a flat turn, with no tendency to stick at any point. If you get a bit more aggressive with the brakes and add a bit of weight shift the wing will get up on a wingtip when needed in small punchy thermals. The handling is no more demanding than most 1-2s, but this is of course an LTF2 glider so you should be experienced enough to handle it. Feedback is on the subtle end of the scale with no nervousness in the feel of the wing. It’s easy to feel where the best is lift is through the brakes. I flew the wing a lot in Brazil during the XCOpen and very quickly became so confident in the wing that I was happy to thermal with one hand on the brakes and one on the camera.
Once on glide it again feels very secure and there is no pitching so you can get on with concentrating on where to find the next climb or switch the brain off for a bit and relax. The bar is easy to use and the leading edge stays solid throughout the range. The kickdown gives good feedback of where you are in the range with the glide remaining efficient in the first section. Flying with other wings of its class this wing felt like it was on a par performance-wise.
DOWN TO EARTH
Despite its comfort and ease of use this wing still has a fun side when you want to come back down to earth. Wingovers and asymmetric spirals are easy with the wing being forgiving of any timing errors. As with most wings these days the landing is easy with a nice flare.
IN SUMMARY
The Envy2 is a great wing for pilots moving up from an LTF1-2 glider, the handling is no more demanding but you’ll get that extra dose of performance. It is a great all rounder with good cross country performance and a playful side you can discover should you wish.
THE REVIEWER
Marcus King was flying the Envy 2 28 (88-110 kg) and an all up weight of 109kg with a Sup’Air Vampair harness and at 106kg with a Sup’Air Evo XC harness.
WE LIKE MOST
The easy handling and security
WE WOULD RECOMMEND IT TO
Cross country pilots moving up from an LTF1-2 or those flying in places where they don’t want to have to worry about the glider at all and just get on with flying and enjoying the experience.
Cross Coutry ( January - February 2010)
