The Velvet is a unique
paramotoring glider and was designed for a wide range of intermediate and
advanced paramotoring pilots looking for relaxed flying.
Easy launch and landing, a
high amount of stability and a good cruising speed were our goals when creating
this glider.
The slim elliptical form of
the canopy has an aspect ratio of 5.5. The Velvet has 56 cells with full
diagonals. Lines are attached to every third rib and this construction allows
the lines to be reduced to two tiers. The serial production version of the
Velvet is equipped with rear-riser trimmers with a 5 cm range to compensate
torque.(-2 cm
to decelerate the glider and +3
cm to accelerate the glider). Additionally the risers
are split to facilitate Big Ears. The positioning of the outermost “A” line
makes progressive closure easy.
Launching characteristics are typical of all MAC PARA gliders. The
R&D team paid extra attention to the handling of the glider during take off
and to the landing flare. This characteristic offers the pilot easy landings in
nil-wind conditions even when heavily loaded. The light brake pressure allows
pleasant turns during long flights, but increases progressively toward the end
of its travel to offer safety reserves.
The glider is undemanding and resistant to collapse even in rough air
thanks to the customized semi-reflex airfoils. It features excellent stability
throughout the full weight and speed range.
The canopy is moderately damped in all axes and offers flexibility and
agility in turns. It does not overshoot or sit back. The Velvet can also be
flown without a motor. Thanks to the serial trimmers, its sink rate can be
decreased. With closed trimmers is its climbing performance is at a similar
level to normal paragliders. With this
baby you can soar in light lift, thermal in all conditions, and do cross
country flights. We pay great attention to small details. The Velvet is
equipped as standard with especially soft brake handles with magnetic clips and
Velcro. We
don’t use swivels on the Velvet brake lines to minimize the risk of damage to
the propeller if the handle contacts it.
Thanks to the Velcro, placing
the handles on the risers in flight or during take-off preparation is much
easier. Velcro closures on the wingtips
make access easier to remove any sand, grass or small stones from the glider.
The Velvet can be equipped
with special PPG risers featuring a longer rear-riser trimmer with a +9cm range
for additional speed. There is no EN Certification when fitted with these PPG
risers.
The Velvet is available in
three sizes and covering a total weight range of 70 to 150 kg. Please check the
specifications for full details.
The use of high-quality
materials and constant quality control throughout the manufacturing process
combined with consistent development work produces high quality products. We
are proud of them.
Translated from Aerial magazine review written by Franck Lechenet
VELVET
“GORGEOUS”
Aerial magazine was privileged last November, to test a prototype of the Velvet, a glider produced by Mac Para Technology for release in early 2008.
With this semi reflex profile, the Czech producer will probably establish a strong market position quickly with this enjoyable and functional product. Easy to inflate, light on the brakes and dynamic on handling, the Velvet should seduce a majority of pilots, even though its certification is predicted to be in the intermediate category. It’s the logical addition to the Eden and Spice models, already appreciated for their performance. It will be sold in three sizes, 23/26/29 with a weight range from 90Kg to 150Kg.
Presentation
As usual Mac Para took their time; over a year, in order to produce a product with the brand’s usual abilities. Easy take-off, sweet landing and precise handling were required to join an expanding market.
Worked out to the tiniest detail, the Velvet has special PPG risers with thinner brake handles, designed to suit any type of machine. 6 cm long rear trims allow slower and faster flying, although most of today’s pilots might prefer longer ones. This short trimmer system is the result of a security concept within the homologation scales. Nevertheless, longer trimmers can be ordered, but pilots choosing this option will lose the security of EN certification. Nevertheless, the speed difference is obvious with the longer trimmers, and they will please a bunch of sport pilots.
Inflation
A jewel! I must sincerely admit that this inflation is among the best! The canopy climbs regularly and fast, without over-shooting. In nil-wind, it is the best gift one could wish for. The Velvet’s profile is certainly not a pure reflex, and the take off is probably a positive consequence of this. As far as many PPG pilots have take-off difficulties, they will probably love this hybrid paraglider, in which they will find the best compromise.
The climb is fast and reliable. The gear was loaned to Sebastian Blanchon, a pilot from Lons-Le-Saunier, during the “Raid Maroc”, and he still has warm memories of his flight. After flying for almost 2 hours over sand dunes, he had to land due to his empty tank. He said being seduced with an intense smile. So was Ewald, a long-established pilot who knows the brand’s characteristics pretty well.
In Flight
Having already flown the Eden and the Spice from Mac Para, I recognized the Brand’s usual touch. An agreeable feeling of safety; almost non-existent propeller-torque; precise handling; and reactive controls will satisfy most pilots. Spinning 360° and curves are happening, and backing to stable flight is being done naturally, with a good sight control due to the speed. Turns are easy without any tendency for collapse. Because we had no chance to fly in strong thermals during the tests, we can’t comment on the Velvet’s reliability in turbulence.
With factory homologated trims closed to the slowest speed, the Velvet reacts similarly to free flight paragliders: climbing in thermals and dynamic lift will be precise. Fuel will consequently be saved. With open trims, maximum speed is not as high as expected, that’s why the addition of non-homologated one’s should be considered.
Landing is soft and easy, with no need for big brake inputs.
Conclusion
Mac Para has thought about everything for you. The Velvet is not a replica of others pure reflex profiles, and should be recommended to anyone, for their greatest pleasure. Designed in three different sizes for a big weight range, its EN certification should only be an administrative job.
| Surface Top Leading Edge: | Skytex 9017, Coating E77A 40 g/m2 |
| Surface Top Trailing Edge: | Skytex 9017, Coating E38A 40 g/m2 |
| Surface Bottom: | Skytex 9017, Coating E38A 40 g/m2 |
| Main ribs: | Skytex 9017, Coating E29A 40 g/m2 |
| Diagonal ribs: | Skytex 9017, Coating E29A 40 g/m2 |
| Minor ribs: | Skytex 9017, Coating E38A 40 g/m2 |
| Upper lines: | GIN Aramid/Kevlar
TGL – 80 kg, TGL - 140 kg
|
| Main lines: | GIN, Edelrid Aramid/Kevlar
TGL– 220 kg, TGL – 280 kg, -340 kg
|
Like all new MAC PARA gliders the topsail is a
mixture of materials with different coatings. The Velvet is manufactured using
the paragliding industries well established lightweight material with excellent
durability; Skytex 40, from Porcher Sport (NCV). Because for any glider, the
part that always wears out first is the leading edge, we use Skytex 40 with
double water repellent E77A coating for this. For less stressed parts of the
sail we use Skytex 40 with E38A coating. For main ribs and diagonal ribs we use
Skytex 40 with E29A “hard finish” coating. The different parts of the design
are assembled to keep the cleanest canopy.
Top lines are made from GIN Aramid/Kevlar TGL
line-series of different diameters. The 5 point risers are are made from 25 mm polyester prestreched
strap. The brake handles have magnetic clips, velcro and a swivel attached
steering line.
