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FUN & EASY Series UP Ascent

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Boundless enjoyment and safety

A high certification is no guarantee of high-grade flying experiences in some cases rather the opposite is the case. One exponent of this is the new UP Ascent. Stroll up to launch, inflate and go and the wind, the sun, the views are yours to enjoy. With the Ascent the enjoyment and the safety is truly without bounds.

flying, your new adventure, must be approached with a certain amount of caution to avoid unpleasant incidents limiting your enjoyment and the Ascent is the wing that combines these otherwise mutually exclusive characteristics in one homogenous whole. The DHV 1 class has rightly become one of the most important classes in the entire sport, and the UP Ascent is built to sit at the very front of the class. With the safety of the renowned UP Kuna but the handling and the performance of a Performance wing, this wing could well become the yardstick by which all other wings in its class are measured. The UP Kuna has found its followers among flying students learning their new sport on the training hill. The new UP Ascent, although still a DHV 1 wing, is the thoroughbred in comparison; livelier, faster, sexier in all aspects, this is the homogenous all-in-one, refined and classy. Obviously fulfilling or surpassing the demands to a DHV 1 wing it is the perfect companion for adventures as diverse as the gentle evening glide down from the local mountain, to demanding thermal and XC flights. This may well be the only wing youll ever need

` Development the elation of knowing that one is onto the right track
UP Ascent trustworthy companion from the first flight up to longer XC sessions

Right from the training hill days the desire for more of everything usually presents itself. Longer, higher flights and the performance and the handling to achieve them, plus the looks of a real paraglider to match the ambitions. But

During the development of the UP Ascent we had one overall goal; to design the perfect total package paraglider, with the best of all worlds combined into one. With this in mind UP designer Stephan Stieglair drew the first drafts. He gave the new wing a sharp outline and perfected the shape with the distinct endings at the

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wingtips. A new concept for the curvature was used, as well as the new UP invention that we call the Sharkfins , little aerodynamic Streamlines which mark the beginning of a new design era at UP. With all these innovations Stieglair has moved well ahead of the competition and designed on of the most refreshingly new basis-Intermediate wings in recent years. On the screen in front of me a new allrounder appeared which promised to be the de-facto perfect companion for a very large segment of the entire paragliding population is how Stephan recalls the process. From his many years in the business he knows well what it is that most of us search for flying pleasure and FUN. A sharp-looking wing with perfect safety characteristics and plenty of performance is the first prerequisite for experiencing what flying paragliders is really all about, and we believe we have built the wing that lives up to just that. As preparation for Stephans first drafts he studied all the other wings in the class carefully: They all seemed very basic, with uninspiring looks and very little innovation. They further lacked agility and the dynamic image that all UP wings must have. In short they looked like ploughs gouging through the air, rather than wings gliding through it. To distance the new UP wing from this flock Stephan and his team created a concept with a distinct, sporty outline, beginning right at the elegant backswept wingtips and right to the innovative Airstream Streamlines on the top surface of the wing. After extensive testing on a series of prototypes during more than 1 years the new UP Ascent passed the DHV tests in late summer of 2006, with the desired 1 as the result.

performance. It is the perfect companion for beginners, for budding intermediate pilots, occasional pilots and for the newcomer to cross-country flying. This makes our new wing into your best friend right from the training hill, and it will make every flying day a joy to experience. Were so confident about our new DHV 1 wing that well even let it replace our popular Makalu 2 DHV 1-2 wing after all, why settle for 1-2 safety when you can get more of everything in a 1? The actual realisation of this was made possible by our new design software packages and a new approach to the design process, where we managed to make the new wing both safer AND better in all aspects to the extent that it moved up one step in the DHV classifications.

` Streamline Technology Innovation spelled with Capital I

The UP Ascent is the first exponent of the new UP technology that we have chosen to name Shark Streamlines, after the most efficient carnivore of the seas. The Shark Streamlines are little shields aligned with

` Pilot profile easy; this wing is for everybody

The UP Ascent is a complete wing in every aspect, with no compromises in neither safety nor handling or
Streamline Technology simulations on the 3Dmodel shows the effectiveness

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the top surface. These vertical shields work by steering, controlling and calming the important airflow on the centre part of the wings top surface. Stephan Stieglair, technical manager of the UP development team: One could see the new Shark Streamlines as a kind of winglets, however where winglets guide the airflow around the tip of the wing, our new Streamlines serve to guide the airflow in the even more important centre of the wing. They effectively stop the air from flowing sideways across the profile in particular flight situations and have an astounding positive overall effect on the entire behaviour of the wing. The roll dampening, which due to the relatively short lines on DHV 1 wings is always critical, has been refined to perfection through the incorporation of this new UP feature. In SIV manoeuvres and real-life testing they have also proven their worth the wing actually feels like riding on invisible rails, a very reassuring sensation for the budding new, or the occasional, pilot.

wing, plus a dampened brakeline setting in order to counter the tendency towards stable steep spirals, but with the Shark Streamlines we have managed to build our optimal wing in terms of handling without suffering the drawbacks inherent in the class.

` Further innovation in the DHV 1 class

The UP Ascent is also our first DHV 1 wing to incorporate the BTS (Brakeline Tensioning System). We originally developed this attachment idea for our competition and performance wings, where we were first aware of the need to be able to adjust the trailing edge tension in flight. Through a little suspension ring placed a few cm from the actual attachment point, which the brakeline runs through, the pilot is in fact always in charge of the variable tension in the trailing edge. The use of the system is instinctive, i.e. theres no new technique to learn, but the benefits are immense both to handling, safety and performance. As soon as a little brake is applied the entire trailing edge tensions up a little and reduces the likelihood of collapses and the directional stability in the event of a collapse.
Brake Loop Line Brake Ring

Streamline Technology and Sharkfins after comprehensive tests UP incorporates the new technology into the UP Ascent for the first time

Another benefit of the Streamline Technology has been the freedom to actually design and fine-tune the curvature and the brakeline attachments for handling perfection, because the Sharkfins overrule any adverse effect of setting these things for ideal handling. Past designs in this segment that were agile enough to satisfy discerning pilots have often suffered from demanding steep spiral exit behaviour. Traditional designs often incorporate a flatter curvature near the centre of the

X Top panel

BTS Brake tension system for improved handling and safety at all speeds

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The Honeycomb V-tape System is also a spin-off from our performance wing design work. Deformation-stable v-tape panels inside the wing in combination with additional panels running parallel to the topand bottom sails build a Honeycomb structure and serve to solidify the canopy in turbulent air.

optimisation of the glide at higher speeds, simply to make this wing interesting to a larger segment of pilots. The profile used has got a number of further advantages, like the ability to fly straight without jumping around in turbulence, and a very high inherent stability against collapses. The canopy remains centred above the pilot, does not dive and retains a very neutral behaviour in all circumstances.

` The design combining two worlds to get one superior product

We used two different design software packages to build the UP Ascent. Calculating the layout and the 3D models was done with the Parafoil simulation- and design software called ParaLabs. UP designer Stephan Stieglair says: When we moved to the ParaLabs software it was a logical future-oriented step. This software allows us to realistically calculate both the aerodynamic characteristics of a new design and to analyse the
HCS the Honeycomb-V-Tape System immensely increases the stability of the canopy

` Performance top of the DHV 1 class

The UP Ascent profile is a slightly adapted version of the one that we use in our top competition wings, modified for the use in an intermediate wing. The profile is UPs own design and combines very high safety with amazing performance. The easiest way to verify this is by taking an Ascent out and push the speed bar to the hilt for the first time in the class, the speed bar is not only for increasing the wind noise and the descent rate! Able to reach speeds in excess of 50km/h without sinking like the proverbial stone, the new UP Ascent is truly an all rounder that will satisfy even the pickiest of pilots. The high top speed and the fine glide figures that follow are only possible due to a completely new designed riser system, where much attention has gone into the

State of the art thanks to new computer software the UP Ascent

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performance data such as speed and glide it even gives us a good indication of the stability! This has never before been possible with any of the available software packages. Another very important factor was the ability to automatically generate manufacturing details right down to the parts lists and QM specifications. For processing the cutting patterns UP utilises the professional LT Parafoil software. This program allows us a number of variables in the calculation of the sail tension and thus creates very precise cutting patterns, ready to send to the manufacturing plant. This makes UP probably the only paraglider manufacturer anywhere to use two of the most advanced business-specific software solutions on the market today, all in the pursuit of a single goal: Building a state of the art DHV 1 glider: the UP Ascent.

Sharkfins aiding the airflow over the top surface New variable tension system at the trailing edge for amazing handling and improved safety Low minimum speed for better climbing in weak lift and improved safety Very mellow behaviour after collapses; slow easily controlled turning and gentle diving Clearly defined stallpoint that will never catch you off guard Long brake travel New, thinner Dyneema lines from Cousin for longevity, reduced drag and higher performance New, extremely durable materials everywhere DHV seal pocket Dirt Pocket for removing debris from the stabilos 5 sizes with DHV certification for perfect loading for all pilots

ParaLabs und Parafoil complex simulations- and design software

` Further highlights of the Ascent

Trim speed 36 km/h High top speed of 50 km/h, with high collapse resistance all the way Tension tapes along the A- and D-line attachment points together with the VTape construction creates a warp resistant canopy (HCS) New riser system for improved glide at speed = flatter polar. Allows for easy BigEars

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` Design build your own individual UP Ascent

The UP characteristic stripes in the middle of the UP Ascent allow you boundless creativity when ordering your new wing. On the UP Homepage you may use the colour chooser to play with the endless combinations; from Sunflower to the UP exclusive Deep Red, in more than 16 million different combinations.

Customers preferring the traditional UP look may simply choose to have both horizontal stripes in the same colour, whereby the design will remain totally UP except for the light modifications near the wing tips. Towards the wingtips the two lines follow the new, swept-back planform whilst broadening somewhat, all to underline the racy, sleek look of the UP Ascent.

New design tool and colours

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UP International GmbH

Altjoch 19a 82431 Kochel / Germany

Tel. +49 (0) 88 51-92 92-0 Fax: +49 (0) 88 51-92 92-60

info@up-paragliders.com www.up-paragliders.com