Equipment Specification
Introducing the Reflex*.....
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(*Reproduced with kind permission from Reflex Wings Ltd) |
A brief history
The Reflex's designer, Mike Campbell-Jones, is well known as
one of the pioneers of foot-launched paragliding in the UK. His schools, Welsh Borders
Paragliding Centre and Paramania, trained over 5000 pilots. Running them over the last ten
years enabled him personally to test-fly and evaluate most canopies coming onto the
market. His involvement in ultralight aviation goes back to 1977, at Hiway Hang gliders.
He later conceived, developed and put into the sky a fleet of aircraft, from flying toys
to three axis microlights like the Spectrum and the Lightwing ultralight glider. Three
years ago he distilled all this knowledge and experience into the Reflex. The project was
funded by Mike's previous company, Paramania and a DTI SMART award. The concept was a
stronger, faster, more versatile wing for paramotoring, paragliding and trike flying. A
new company, Reflex Wings Ltd., was formed to produce and market it and, after two years
of extensive testing, the Reflex is here!
The Aerodynamics
The name "Reflex" refers to the pitch-positive wing
section. It's the first time such a section has been used in a paragliding wing. With an
elevator built into its shape, the payload is no longer the sole stabilising factor. A
trim system allows the pilot to vary the reflex section. When raised, it reduces the chord
and the lifting area by some 30%. The centre of pressure moves forward, enhancing pitch
stability. This redistribution of wing loading gives exceptional tuck-resistance and
increases the effective aspect ratio. The result? - a safer, more efficient wing for
high-speed flying. When more lift is required at lower speeds, the surface is pulled down
to restore the full aerofoil section along the chord.
The Construction
The Reflex's strength and durability have been achieved by
careful choice of materials and innovative design. The ribs are cut on the bias, so that
the weave helps triangulate the structure. Load bearing depends less on fabric coatings
and seam strengths increase three-fold. Load tests have shown only 4% rib distortion
compared with 15-18% for conventionally constructed wings. This method also permits the
incorporation of a unique "gill" system of internal venting, allowing air to
flow when and where internal pressure is most needed. Line attachments are sewn in right
up to the top of each rib. This reduces dependency on bottom-surface seams, and provides
each line with its own shock-absorption. Built to carry trike units weighing up to 360
KGs. to a 13.33g loading, with just a pilot or pilot and paramotor as the payload, the
Reflex is working within enormous safety margins. It is engineered to perform to its
specifications for about 700 hours.
The Manufacture
The Reflex is a high quality product that conforms to the
specification that covers microlight aircraft, in the "soft wing" areas of the
C.A.A.'s BCAR section "S". Every stage of Reflex's manufacture can be traced to
a named operator and checker and all materials are batch numbered and bonded. For this
reason manufacturing takes place in Poland. Their background in aviation, level of skill
and quality control have allowed us to maintain our high standards at reasonable cost.
Safety
It is common knowledge that one of the primary factors that
holds our sport back is the twitchiness of the equipment available. The Reflex is a bold
statement in a new direction. Both sizes hold a "Standard" CEN or ACPULS rating
at all trim settings. Testing the Reflex in all its different disciplines has been a real
eye-opener. Pilots can concentrate more on piloting and less on keeping a structure flying
above their heads. Not only does the glide at speed appear superior to that of a lot of
competition wings, but stability improves as speed and wing loadings increase!
The 3 in 1 Versatility
The Reflex comes in 2 sizes with 3 different configurations:
normal freeflying and paramotoring, competition freeflying and flying with trike units.
This adaptability helps to maintain the value of the product should the owner choose to
switch sports or sell on.
The Reflex is being hailed as the ultimate paramotor wing. Launching is easy as the wing
rarely overshoots or goes off to one side. Its extra speed means you can travel greater
distances and operate in stronger winds than ever before. Its stability allows hands-free
operation most of the time: you just read the maps and enjoy the flight. It can handle
almost any power level safely and its crisp and precise handling and ability to store
energy provide many happy hours of aerial fun.
The wing is proving to be ideal for all levels of pilot. The Reflex lets schools teach and
sport pilots fly on days when they would normally be grounded. At lower speeds the
performance is that of an average intermediate but at speed its excellent glide, ability
to slice through turbulence and sinking air soon puts it in a class of its own.
Pilot weight is more critical for freeflying than the other disciplines and advice should
be sought when deciding on wing size. We are currently finishing work on a competition
version.
Most of the early development on the Reflex was done with trikes in mind. Extensive work
was carried out to develop ease of launching. Point into wind, depress the accelerator and
you are airborne. Once in the air it flies itself. Pitch control is taken care of by the
wing, all the pilot has to do is actuate the wing tip steering. For steeper turns, take
offs and landings the pilot switches to the brake toggles. Testing the large Reflex on a
Powerchute Kestrel weighing 300kg all-up showed a cruise speed of 56 kph, a climb-rate of
690 fpm, a power-off sink-rate of 2.6 m/s, a glide angle of 6.2:1 with an approximate 100%
increase in fuel efficiency over the old style square chutes and with much better handling
and uncompromising stability in turbulent air. You'll need a set of trike lines and
risers, hang points may need to be modified and BMAA type-approval re-registered.
The future
The Reflex concept is opening a surprising
number of new doors. The Welsh Development Agency has linked the company up with the
finite analysis facilities of the University of Wales, Swansea where the aerodynamics for
Thrust SSC, the world's first supersonic car were perfected. In the disciplines of
freeflying and paramotoring, development of a competition version is nearing completion.
The data emerging from the tests is prompting negotiations with competition pilots of both
disciplines. Reflex Wings Ltd is working closely with several prominent paramotor
manufacturers to optimise wing/motor compatibility. The medium wing is undergoing
extensive testing on trike units to achieve higher speeds for wider commercial
applications. Interest in this area is coming from geophysical survey companies, film and
photographic units, whilst advertisers are interested in the wing in all its disciplines.
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