description

The amazing success of our Eden range continues with the progression to the new Eden 4. The Eden 3 has excellent launch and stability features, and is famous for its proven qualities and reputation in the paragliding and paramotoring community. We retained the successful concept of the Eden 3 and transferred it to a completely new design. We were challenged to improve the climbing performance and to introduce and tune a new brake system whilst retaining the light brake pressure, the excellent behaviour during take off and the security and handling of the canopy.

We tested 5 prototypes with different airfoils and ground shapes with countless test flights and great dedication. Each prototype also received intensive extended testing in paramotoring flight. Compared to the Eden 3, the Eden 4 has a better glide, more direct handling and better glide in accelerated flight.

The Eden 4 is available in 5 colours and the new design is now applied to the bottom surface. The top surface is a single colour.

The Eden 4 has 52 cells, which get thinner closer to the wing tip. The slim elliptical form of the canopy has an aspect ratio of 5.23. The line configuration is the same as used in the Eden 3 and helps maintain a clean canopy. Diagonal V-tapes and a system of load-bearing tapes give the canopy stability and influence easy behaviour during extreme manoeuvres. The canopy is very resistant to collapse. It features excellent stability throughout the full weight range and speed window.  In an induced collapse the glider does not rotate quickly and will usually reopen within 50 degrees. The Eden 4 uses the same brake system as the Envy. The handling is precise (once you set the angle and radius of a turn it does not change if you hold the brake in a constant position). The light brake pressure allows pleasant turns during long flights, but increases progressively toward the end of its travel to offer safety reserves. MAC pilots already know that we do not have to advertise the easy launch and landing characteristics. Despite high performance potential and agile handling the Eden 4 has good dampening in all axes. It does not overshoot or sit back. It features excellent stability throughout the full weight and speed range. The Eden 4 is equipped with split “A” risers to facilitate Big Ears. The positioning of the outermost “A” line makes progressive closure easy. We pay great attention to small details. The Eden 4 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.

Test Mac Para Eden 4 from magazine Thermik

MAC PARA’s Performance-Intermediate glider the Eden now appears in the fourth edition. After the successful Eden 3 we were looking forward to testing the new Eden 4.

Although Mac Para is well known on the international market due to their successful competition and high performance gliders, the Eden range has been the biggest selling model. Most recent was the Eden 3, with DHV 1-2 homologation, which continued to write the successful history of MAC PARA.

The release of the 4^th version of the Eden, should prolong, if not surpass this success. In addition to a completely new design, which can be found on all new MAC PARA gliders, 10 months of design and testing work has been invested in developing this performance intermediate glider, the Eden 4. From a technical perspective the Eden 4 is a combination of its predecessor, the Eden 3 and its bigger brother, the Envy (DHV 2). The objectives were clear: to improve climb and to increase the glide performance at higher speeds (using the speed-system).

Design and manufacturing
The manufacturing standard and workmanship of the Eden 4 is through and through exemplary and clean. They use only the best materials to ensure durability and longevity of the canopy. It is the leading edge, where the fabric is most stressed. For this area Skytex 45 with E85A coating is used. For the less stressed areas of the canopy the well known and time-tested lighter fabric Skytex 40 with E38A coating is used. The ribs and diagonal segments use Skytex 40 with E29A "hard finish" coating. This combination gives the benefit of a canopy that is both lightweight and durable. "

Take-off behaviour.
When front launching, pre-flight checks can be done quickly due to the good layout of the suspension lines. The Eden 4 requires only a light initial impulse to fill the canopy. With a little guidance, the canopy rises cleanly and holds its position over the pilot. Stabilization at the apex is effortless with the Eden 4, and even inexperienced pilots will be able to keep the canopy easily and playfully overhead.  This should give sufficient time for a visual inspection of the canopy and the decision to continue with take-off.

Thanks to the relatively low take-off speed you can make successful and effortless launches in zero or crosswind situations. Even with a slight tail wind you don’t need to be an ace sprinter to get the Eden 4 into the third dimension.

Rear launches are pure pleasure. The canopy rises cleanly with a little input, keeping its position. Using the wind it is easy to hold the Eden 4 over the pilot. When ground-handling on take-off, even the less talented pilot shouldn’t be kited. The pilot can safely use the brakes, or in a strong wind the D risers.

Flight behaviour
In flight, the Eden 4 gives immediate confidence. The canopy is clean and stable in the air, even when fully accelerated. Response to control inputs is hardly delayed and is quickly and cleanly implemented. In the "work area" the Eden 4 has slightly higher brake pressure then similar gliders. Nearing the stall point the brake pressure increases markedly, and warns even heavy-handed less talented pilots safely and reliably of an impending, unwanted stall. When turning in thermals the Eden 4 is exemplary as it spirals upward. The glider is easily steerable and can’t be thrown off course. In weak thermals, it is recommended to apply outer brake to achieve better flatter turns. Even under turbulent conditions or ragged lee side thermals the canopy stays inflated and stable in the air. Also thanks to these features, during our test flights it didn’t experience any unintended canopy collapses. Simulated collapses (and it does not matter if on trim speed or accelerated) open quickly, independently and with a max of up to 180° of turn.

The speed of rotation and dive forward are low. Even front stalls are within completely predictable parameters. The canopy reopens automatically, balanced and gently. This process starts from the centre. The Eden 4 dives slightly forward and returns to clean flight. The speed system of the Eden 4 works smoothly and produces a speed increase of about 13 km/h. Thanks to this valley transitions should not be an insurmountable obstacle.

Descent methods

Big-ears:
With split “A” risers it is easy to perform big ears. Effortlessly, the wingtips can be easily collapsed and held in position for a long period. The canopy remains very stable, and the folded parts keep quiet. Using weight shift during the manoeuvre allows the Eden 4 comfortable control without the need for acrobatic movements. We measured during the tests - sink rates of about -2.8 m/s to -3.4 m/s (accelerated). After release the wing opens mostly independently and instantaneously without intervention from the pilot. Only occasionally did we have to help with a light brake input.

B-Stall:
When initiating a significant resistance has to be overcome. Maintaining the B-stall requires significantly less power. The Eden 4 shows little or no tendency toward turning away. After rapid release of the B-risers, the canopy dives forward only slightly and returns cleanly and balanced into the flight again.

Spiral-dive:
Daring brake input and weight shift to one side is all that is required to initiate a spiral-dive.
After only one turn the Eden 4 readily develops the correct angle of bank and speed. Both can be easily and cleanly controlled and corrected by outer brake input. Termination of the spiral turns out to be smooth. The termination of the large sink rates should be actively carried out using multiple turns.

Summary
The Eden 4 is through and through a balanced, harmonious glider that will appeal to a wide range of pilots. Although the smooth course of take-off is very friendly to novice pilots, the very attractive performance potential of the Eden 4 combined with a high degree of passive safety will be appreciated by pilots during XC flights. Due to the agile handling the fun and pleasure should not be neglected. Not least, the Eden 4 is also visually eye-catching.

Measuring instruments: 2 x Aircotec XC-Trainer

materials

The Eden 4 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 45 with evolution coating E85A for this. For the less stressed areas of the sail we use Skytex 40 with E38A coating. For the supporting and diagonal ribs we use Skytex 40 with “hard finish” coating E29A. This gives the advantage of a sail that is both lightweight and very durable.

specification

design

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Test and nice video you can see on www.ojovolador.com (Spanish)