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Friday, January 1, 2016

Air Design VOLT 2 SM


Air Design VOLT 2 SM

After test flying the Volt 1 and the Rise 2 from AD, here’s the Volt 2 in SM size .

The Volt 2 has lots of features, a shark nose profile, all unsheathed lines, vortex holes, adjustable brake handle, there’s 2 lines per side, and on each line level there are(2A, 2B, 2C) . The C lines are split into a fork for a C and D attachment on the glider.
The construction is very neat, and it looked very tough to the last detail.

Launching the Volt 2 is as easy as any moderate aspect ratio C glider, with no tendency to overshoot and an immediate take off.

The Volt 2 SM at 92 all up, has a moderate brake pressure, coupled with a direct, precise steering power. The Volt 2 has a superior agility over the Rise 2 and the Volt 1and can be described as fairly agile. Coring thermals are really pleasant as precise turns can be adjusted with each pulled centimeter.
I believe the Volt 2 is the first improvement in Air Design gliders, that goes in the right way concerning agility and pleasurable feel.

The second feel-able improvement flying the VOLT 2 is the climb rate !
Well, I can tell you, that team Air Design outdone themselves this time with a glider that can climb in weak conditions very efficiently, putting it next to best climbing ones in the C category !

Stephan Stiegler's gliders for the B and C class have a reputation of being comfortable to fly. And flying the Volt 2 in moderate conditions felt quite comfortable, resembling the Elan, Sigma 9, and other moderate aspect ratio C glider.

The trim speed is around 39 km/h at my loading and the top speed in the first part of the 50’s .
The glide ratio is good and on par with those C gliders mentioned above.

Big ears are efficient , stable, and a good way to get down. They open smoothly .

The Speed bar has a moderate pressure and the speed is fully usable in moderate turbulence.
The handles on the C to control the pitch in accelerated flight is very efficient. In fact AD has the most efficient C steering capability among many gliders i have tested. If you have flown a Rise 2 you will know what i mean, and the Volt 2 C steering is as efficient and usable !

Conclusion:
I always favor climb capability over glide capability.
It is always better to arrive "comfortably" 10 m lower and still flying, rather than 10 m higher and not being able to catch that low save.

For me the VOLT 2 SM will be an Air Design success by the amount of coring pleasure, comfort, and climb capabilities.
It gave me a feeling of a tough, well built, reliable C glider any good pilot coming to the C category would be satisfied flying it !

 

9 comments:

  1. You not think they are a bit slow at trim

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  2. I'm testing the Volt 2 S at the moment with 81kg loaded. But its not possible to fly faster than 50 km/h in full speed. From a EN-C I'd exspected little bit more. What are your impressions about speed and glide ration? And what about the glide ratio with 1/2 speed?

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    Replies
    1. Hi, Sorry for the late reply...The top speed is like you found. The glide at half bar is similar to the Delta 2 on the same size.

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  3. hi ziad!
    how much take off weight(overload) on the SM, do you think, would be acceptable without risking higher sinkrate? the size of the glider irritates me a bit...

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    Replies
    1. Hi Rai,
      I think 95, 97 is still ok...
      Cheers,
      Ziad

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  4. Ciao Ziad,
    Deine 3-4 Startplätze sind wo ? Koordinaten ?
    I love all your Comments ...stay crunchy ...V.S.

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  5. I am 75kg is it good for m size volt2. Because loading limit is between 80 105kg volt 2 m size. 75kg(me)+15kg(harness+reserve+glider)=90kg. Is it good for me?

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    Replies
    1. Hi,
      I think it's better at top weight. If you want get the SM which goes to 95 max.it would be better.
      Cheers

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