The Eden 1 and Eden 2 became a star in the
intermediate-performance category with a huge influence on the
paragliding market. It retains its excellent qualities and reputation
in the paragliding and paramotoring community. Over 13 months we tested
prototypes of its successor and decided to keep the name Eden.
Progressing from the Eden 2, we were challenged to make lighter brake
pressure and retain the excellent behaviour during take off, security
and handling of the canopy. We tested 7 prototypes with different
airfoils and several line configurations. Each prototype also received
intensive extended testing for use with a paramotor.
The Eden 3 has 52 cells, which get thinner
closer to the wing tip. The slim elliptical form of the canopy has an
aspect ratio of 5.26. The line configuration used is from the Intox 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.
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 3 has good dampening in all axes. The light
brake pressure allows pleasant turns during long thermal flights, but
increases progressively toward the end of its travel to offer safety
reserves. The Eden 3 is equipped with split A risers for easy big-ears.
The
use of high-quality materials and constant quality control during our
own MAC PARA manufacturing process together with consistent development
work on our computer programme “PG” produces high quality products. We
are proud of them.
The Eden 3 PPG is DULV certified.
From the Eden 3 MAC PARA promise Eden on Earth.
Gleitschirm magazine has put this Eden bird under the magnifying glass.
It’s
only the name which MAC retains throughout the development of their
intermediate glider the Eden 3.Uniformity and detail are very important
for these Czechs and they have taken time for development. Only one
year after the restructure of the DHV 1-2 category and four years after
the introduction of the Eden 2 to the market [2700 were sold according
to company information] its successor was introduced. Sixteen
prototypes were made and tested with the goals of longer brake range
and refined response of the canopy to brake input compared to the Eden
2. A further very interesting construction goal was set by Peter Recek,
“the glider must be excellent for paramotoring”. Consequently the
designer tested each prototype with a paramotor.
It
was difficult to achieve ideal damping of the roll axis without a
detrimental influence on the handling for free flying. A courageous
goal, which was perfectly achieved after 18th months of development and
testing. The Eden 3 flies equally well whether free flying or
paramotoring.
Construction and workmanship
The
Eden 3 wasn’t designed as one might expect, using the same shape as its
predecessor. A greater influence on its design was the Intox. The
aspect ratio was reduced and the number of cells was increased to 52,
which progressively narrow towards the wing tips. The concept departs
from easy construction with every second rib attached and diagonal
segments on the A’s,B’s and C’s.
During
fine tuning of the final prototypes priority was given to the different
panel tensions. It has lead to very easy take-off characteristics and
perfect performance. The combination of different materials, also used
on other MAC PARA models, is a precious compromise between: quality
workmanship; long life materials and achievement of low weight. 5.85 kg
is genuinely the maximum weight of the glider. Together with a minimum
volume we can say that the Eden 3 is useable as a mountain paraglider.
It is really strange, because paramotoring implies stronger due to the
heavier load. Construction was load tested to 8G at the maximum weight
of 197 kg [nearly1.600 kg]. Nevertheless paramotoring versions are
equipped with even stronger Edelrid 6843/340 mainlines.
Take off
The
Eden 3 retains its predecessor’s charms with its easy behaviour during
takeoff, which we can describe as suitable for beginners. This MAC
intermediate doesn’t need special tricks to lay-out the canopy on the
ground and organising the lines can be described as average. Simply by
pulling on the centre A`s the canopy climbs reliably, it is easy to
control and to correct. It has no tendencies to overshoot. Although the
behaviour of canopy remains somewhat damped whilst maintaining a
straight course, reaction of the canopy is precise and speedy to brake
input and allows corrections during take off.
Flight
The
first time a pilot takes to the air with the Eden 3, he will initially
notice the consistent flight behaviour and specially the very easy and
precise handling. In our comparison of DHV 1-2 gliders the new Eden 3
was promptly awarded the position of all-rounder, among others thanks
to easily achieved descent manoeuvres. The Eden 3 maintains its course
and flies fluently through the air, while very precisely steerable. It
gains advantage from its more or less flat turns. In turbulence you
occasionally feel lift on the inside but turning is not affected by it
at all. The Eden 3 continues to turn fluently and the outside does not
show any loss of internal pressure of the wing.
Although
the canopy, thanks to its good damping, gave a flexible and resilient
impression, it seems in the long axis a bit stiffer, weight-shift is
somewhat less effective, but at the same time it benefits from a high
damping of roll movement. When thermaling the feedback from the brakes
is excellent. Thanks to its flat turn the Eden 3 is naturally in its
element in light conditions, but it also feels good in strong thermals.
Once the Eden 3 flies into a strong thermal, it can be steeply banked,
it leaves behind its tendency to turn flat; and turning with high angle
gives a good impression. Pressure in the brakes remains light. Entry to
and exit from thermals are well balanced. The canopy doesn’t sit back
and doesn’t surge forward and stabilizes by it-self over the pilot.
The speed system can be used for extended periods without pain, saving
power and energy during XC flights. The effective use of the speed
system over long distances was demonstrated by Bernhard Plasser at the
end of May 2005. He “catapulted” his Eden 3 from Pizgau in Austria for
a flight of 170 km.
Reaction
of this glider to asymmetric collapse is without any surprise. Normally
the Eden 3 is almost unaffected by any surge and immediately and
spontaneously recovers from an asymmetric collapse with a turn of less
than 90 degrees. Only during BIG asymmetric collapses does the pilot
notice a marked surge of the canopy, nevertheless turn during recovery
is not more than 90 degrees. If the pilot reacts with counter-steer
then it is easy to keep the canopy in straight flight and without
problem and easy to maintain course. A normal (small) collapse is
followed by smooth reopening of the canopy without input. Occasionally
it is beneficial to speed the process with adequate counter-steering.
Descent options
Big Ears.
Thanks
to split A risers big ears are easy. If the pilot pulls the outer A`s
down, the ears fold-in cleanly and remain in this position without
pilot input. The closed part is relatively large and thanks to this
sink rate is really effective. Combining Big Ears with the use of the
speed bar the sink rate can be improved. It is possible to control the
glider using weight shift but you can reach turns with a high radius.
For this reason is better to support this manoeuvre with use of the
speed system, because the Eden 3 is then more manageable and dynamic.
Reopening of big ears must be made with clean and progressive
application of the brakes.
B-Stall
B-Stall
on the Eden 3 can be described as a brave (parade) manoeuvre, because
rarely can another paraglider achieve the level of this DHV 1-2 glider
with its simple performance, behaviour and effectiveness. As the pilot
pulls the B risers down and the airflow on the canopy brakes away with
lowering resistance in traction the canopy cleanly "breaks”. The canopy
falls minimally backwards. During the B-stall the canopy remains
extremely stable, it does not show any twist or turn to the side and
descends with a sink rate more than 8m/s. As soon as the B risers are
released the glider returns to flight reliably with a soft surge,
without demands for pilot input.
Spiral dive
Spiral
dive with this new MAC glider a simple and practicable manoeuvre. Using
a moderate input the Eden 3 enters spiral dive and responds to the
pilot’s commands without tendency to any spontaneous acceleration or
deceleration with rapid exit. The amount of sink rate can be changed by
progressive application or release of the brake. A sink rate of more
then 18 m/s can be easily achieved by the use of higher brake
pressures. Behaviour during exit from the spiral dive is also
exemplary. It does not surge unexpectedly from this manoeuvre and can
be easily piloted out of the spiral dive. Even if the pilot ends the
spiral dive too abruptly, the danger of flying in your own turbulence
is very small.
Summary
The MAC team have succeeded in creating a genial "all-rounder" with a wide spectrum of use.
On
one hand the Eden 3 offers, due to its wide-ranging control clear
dynamic and straightforward manoeuvres needed for descent options and
good behaviour during extreme manoeuvres, which will be appreciated by
talented beginners and especially by paramotor pilots. On the other
hand it provides performance oriented pilots enough potential for XC
flights. Primarily the Eden 3 will inspire thermal specialists. Well
balanced behaviour with excellent feedback in thermals combined with a
magnificent climb rate offer everything a pilot could wish for. At the
same time the Eden 3 belongs in the narrow selection of gliders for
para-alpinists thanks to its low weight and volume.
Short summary – features
Workmanship/materials.
Correct sewing and fabrication. Light construction! (Rating 4)
Take off
Suitable for beginners! Easy take off handling by strong wind. (Rating 5)
Flight
Wide spectrum of use! Handling and performance potential! Especially suitable for XC flights. (Rating 5)
Big ears
Easy and effective! Sense of speed system using. (Rating 5)
B-Stall
Excellent manoeuvre! Easy to do, reliable exit. (Rating 5)
Spiral dive
Not demanding. Ideal for beginners. Exit not demanding! (Rating 5)
Ratings
1 insufficient
2 medium
3 good
4 very good
5 excellent
Increase of pressure with brake application
10 cm - 0.6 kg
20 cm - 2.5 kg
30 cm - 3.8 kg
40 cm - 6.0 kg
50 cm - 8.0 kg
Glide: 8.3 (at trim speed)
Glide
is measured by the Gleitschirm team in a very exacting way. In the same
way as for sail-planes, measurements are made in absolutely calm air
(before sunrise) using a few flights in company with a reference
calibrated glider. At the same time pilots exchange between tested and
reference gliders.
Both harnesses used and pilot’s weights are
identical. After each flight, height differences between the gliders
are measured with very accurate instruments. Finally using data from
all flights the average glide angle of the tested glider is
calculated. Using this method an accuracy of +/- 0.1 is achieved (when
compared with results from the reference glider). Measuring
instruments: 2x Aircotec XC-Trainer.
