Gliders description

Since the first apparition of the Laminar in 1994, there have been several evolution grades, all wanted by our big Champion Manfred Ruhmer.

For those who do not recall, Manfred is not only the best pilot in the world but he is also the developer of ALL ICARO hang glider models.

In this 8th edition there are also contributions by Angelo Crapanzano and Christian Ciech.

Angelo, who has a great experience in the cutting and sewing of sailcloth's, worked hard on the new sail cut.
The result is a completely new sail with many remarkable advantages in all flight configurations.

The Laminar Z8 has an excellent handling, its performance is better and it is very safe; in other words, we offer you a high-tech, high-performance glider that is as safe as it can be, consistent with nowadays technology.

1
Sail description

Compared to the previous model Zero7 we made many important modifications on the sail

• There is no longer a cut on the leading edge, next to the nose, to insert the Mylar.
  This allows a homogeneous and better tension on the leading edge.
   

• The upper sail has been totally cleaned up to take away even the smallest wrinkles in any VG position during flight.
   

• The double surface has been totally redesigned to get a perfect tension distribution.
  This allows a much better handling, especially in tight VG settings.
   

• To reduce the weight of the sail, and to make it last longer, the reinforcements have been redesigned too.
   

• The 14.1 and 14.8 have now 12 upper battens instead of 11 to get a more defined profile especially at high speed.
  The wingspan/battens ratio is now the same as in the smaller sizes.
   

• The batten pockets on the lower surface have been redesigned to make them easier to use.
  Now the flat battens will not slide out with strong tail wind while waiting on take-off 

2
Sail design & colors

New color pattern
Our designer Ignazio Bernardi has made a new color pattern.
The result is a spectacular new looking of the glider ! Especially in the air you will immediately notice the difference to any other glider.

Ignazio has developed and chosen 12 new color combinations, which are just gorgeous!

3
Frame description

• The frame is entirely made out of the best Aluminum tubes available, produced in the same 7075 alloy used in the Airplane Industry.
  We use drawn tubes to get the best dimension stability. This allows strong, light and reliable tubes. 
   

• X-bar junction
  The junction is entirely drilled on a Cnc, it is a 2-piece artwork in 7075 Aluminum alloy.
   

• X-bar/leading edge junction
  The x-bar/leading edge junction is made of one piece.
  This is aesthetically much nicer; but most important, this component has been studied to guarantee a perfect distribution of the loads. It is lighter and it also allows a better thin profile at full VG on this part of the leading edge.
   

• Sprog
  The bigger swivel tip has a compensator that makes it slightly change its position automatically in flight, according to the VG setting.
   

• The smaller swivel tip also has its own compensator.
  This tip has a larger movement range in flight. It is connected with a cable and a pulley to the central part of the cross bar allowing the tip to automatically adjust its position in flight when you change the VG setting.
  When the VG is on, the tip lowers and when it is off, it rises.
  This optimizes your glide and safety features in flight. This happens automatically when you pull your VG on or off.
   

•  The swivel tips support five battens, meaning that the whole outer trailing edge is supported and, therefore, the glider is more stable.
   

• Twist Tips
  This new system allows the outer swivel tips (that support battens nr. 10 and 11) to move in contraposition, even when the sail touches the tips, especially with ½ to full VG on.
  Till now the design did not allow the sail to move in this VG configuration.
  Thanks to the new design the tips are now directly connected to each other with a wire, allowing the sail to move.
  The handling is of course is better with ½ or full VG.
  The tip compensator remains the same.
   

• Final part of the leading edge tube
  On the Zero7 the outside leading edge was pretension (it made an angle forward at the junction with the front leading edge) to increase the performance. To get a better coordination in thermal, the rear leading edge is now in line with the front leading edge. Anyway there is a good tension on the trailing edge thanks to the new sail design.
   

• Variable geometry
  With the Bainbridge sail, the VG range is a bit larger.
  This improves a better performance with full VG on.
  In addition there is a tube behind the keel pocket specifically shaped to protect the VG cord/system.
   

• Batten ends
  the "click-system" is very efficient, practical and it allows a fine tuning of the sail tensions.

4
Versions & competition options

The standard model comes with our special Dacron sail called Square.
This model has our normal A-frame with profiled down tubes with rubber like the aerosafe type and a round speed bar.
We recommend this hang glider for the standard pilots who wish to fly a pleasant kingpost less glider with an excellent performance.

For the competition pilots we suggest the following:

• Aluminum Competition  A-frame with MR carbon-fibers speed bar and profiled aluminum down tubes.
   

• Full Carbon Competition A-frame with MR carbon-fibers speed bar and ergonomic carbon-fibers down tubes.
   

• Diax - PP60P sail (the performance Laminates from Bainbridge)

  • we recommend this sail ONLY for the competition pilots and, to keep a good handling, it is mandatory to combine this sail with the Competition A-frame only.

  • we don't give any guaranty on the duration of this material but it's several years we use it succesfully.

  • more tecnical info + pictures from the manufacturer
     

• Diax - 60LSP sail (the new performance Laminates from Bainbridge)

  • we recommend this sail ONLY for the competition pilots.

  • looks shiny and gorgeous in grey and white, is 1,3 kg lighter than the Diax - 60P sail and gives better handling with better performances at very high speed.

  • it is perfect in combination with the Competition A-frame.

  • we don't give any guaranty on the duration of this material but after two years of tests it looks as good as the Diax- 60P  sail.

  • more tecnical info + pictures from the manufacturer

Tech Data Sheet

Sizes

Area

m2

ft2

Nose Angle

Deg.

Wingspread

m

ft

Aspect Ratio

Double Surface

%

Battens
(upper+lower sail)

#

Weight
without glider bag

kg

lbs

Pilot Hook-In Weight

kg

lbs

Packing Bag Length

m

ft

Short Packed Length

m

ft

Certification