BGD Base 3 Paraglider

TARGET

The BASE 3 is for cross-country pilots who have started flying XC on a low-B and are looking for more performance to push their distances. It is stable but informative, and has some secret ninja skills: it’s slow-speed handling make it a top-landing demon, and it’s really easy to launch in strong winds because it is so pitch stable and does not surge forward. Performance-wise it is top of the EN-B class, but safety-wise it could be a low-B.

 

DESIGNER’S NOTES

Like the DIVA 2, the BASE 3 has a high arc and short lines. The high arc came about on the DIVA 2 primarily to improve the glide ratio, but we noticed this also resulted in extremely gentle collapse behaviour. Short lines reduce drag and also increase pitch stability, while leaving some roll for a fun and lively feel.

It has a reflex profile. This design is often associated with paramotor wings, and it means the profile has a natural pitch-up tendency. With a reflex profile, a lot of lift is produced near the leading edge, creating a force that acts against collapses and improves both active and passive safety. It makes the glider very stable on full bar, and collapses are very easy to anticipate and stop.

The tapered planform gives very good slow-speed characteristics, a slow stall speed and a wide margin for pilot error. The raked wingtips very effectively reduce drag.

The C-riser steering allows very effective pitch control, and the neoprene ‘cradle’ which serves as a handle is comfortable to hold and easy to use. Unlike a bar-style handle, there are no bits sticking out that could catch in your lines.

We have chosen to use cloths that are durable and hard wearing, for real-life abrasion-resistance. The unsheathed Aramid lines are Edelrid 8001U. They have a waterproof coating, and are very dimensionally stable so your glider will stay in trim.

SPECS