Gradient Aspen 3 Paraglider.

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Gradient Aspen 3 Paraglider

Specs, test data and other useful information on the Gradient Aspen 3.

The Aspen 3 paraglider in flight. Perhaps it's a prototype, since the color doesn't match any of the published color schemes!
(Source: Para2000.org)

Year of Manufacture	2009
Certification	EN C
Size	26

Paragliding - A Pilot's Training Manual. One of the best books on the sport!

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Paraglider Reviews From Other Visitors

Click below to read other visitors' impressions of this paraglider...

Gradient Aspen 3 flown in Scotland
Flew the Gradient Aspen 3 last week in initially light conditions. Amazingly manouverable, turns on a sixpence, easy to keep the turn flat, maintain smoothness ...

Gradient Aspen 3 Review
I have just spent the day test flying the Gradient Aspen 3 at our local coastal site in Somerset, UK. I have been flying paragliders for 15 years and most ...

Price

Note: These international prices for the Gradient Aspen 3 paraglider are only a guide. They are June 2009 currency conversions from the 2009 price in Euros.

Euros	3550	EUR
U.S. Dollars	4900	USD
United Kingdom Pounds	3000	GBP
Australian Dollars	6200	AUD
South African Rand	40000	ZAR
Indian Rupees	234000	INR
South Korean Won	6180000	KRW

Some Specs

pilot take-off weight	80-100 kg	(177-221 lbs)
wing weight	5.2 kg	(11.4 lbs)
wing area (flat)	26.0 m²	(280 ft²)
wing area (projected)	22.3 m²	(240 ft²)
wing span (flat)	12.4 m	(41 ft)
wing span (projected)	10.1 m	(33 ft)
aspect ratio (flat)	5.9
aspect ratio (projected)	4.6
min sink	1.0 m/s	(197 fpm, 3.6 kph, 1.9 knts)
best glide ratio	8.8:1
speed min	23 kph	(14 mph, 12 knts)
speed trim	38 kph	(24 mph, 21 knts)
speed max	55 kph	(34 mph, 30 knts)

Some EN Test Results

take-off - rising behaviour	smooth, easy and constant rising
take-off - special technique?	no
landing - special technique?	no
speed range > 10 kph using controls	yes
roll stability and damping - oscillations	reducing
gentle spirals - return to straight flight	spontaneous exit
steep banks - sink rate after 2 turns	more than 14 m/s
symmetric front collapse - entry	rocking back less than 45 degrees
symmetric front collapse - recovery	Spontaneous in less than 3 sec
full stall - dive forward angle	30° to 60°
full stall - collapse?	no
full stall - rocking back	less than 45°
assymetric collapse 50% - attitude	max dive or roll 0 to 15°
assymetric collapse 50% - re-inflation	spontaneous
assymetric collapse 50% - course change	less than 360°
assymetric collapse 75% - attitude	max dive or roll 45 to 60°
assymetric collapse 75% - re-inflation	spontaneous
assymetric collapse 75% - course change	less than 360°
maintained collapse - able to maintain course	yes
maintained collapse - 180° turn away	yes, under 10 seconds
tends to spin at low speed?	no
after release from developed spin	stops spinning in less than 90°
B-line stall, before release - course change	less than 45°
B-line stall, before release - behavior	remains stable with straight span
B-line stall, after release - recovery	spontaneous in less than 3 sec.
B-line stall, after release - dive angle	0 to 30°
big ears - entry procedure	Standard technique
big ears - behavior	stable flight
big ears - recovery	spontaneous in less than 3 sec.
big ears - dive forward on exit	0 to 30°
steep spiral - exit behavior	spontaneous exit
steep spiral - recovery turn angle	less than 720°, spontaneous recovery

All the above were recorded when this Gradient paraglider was flown at max weight.

Color Schemes

The simple graphics below represent the available color schemes for the Gradient Aspen 3. Colors are only approximate, and so is the outline of the wing. But it gives you some idea.

name	upper	lower
Gold
Green
Sangria

A Good Book

Do you have at least a few hours of soaring experience under your belt? Keen to learn much more? The book Paragliding - A Pilot's Training Manual will fill out your knowledge nicely. Just remember it doesn't take the place of your instructor!

Last updated: 17 Jun 2009

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