Old Guy Paragliding-Flying the new Advance Epsilon DLS

[@mben2840]

Thanks a lot for the nice report giving the information I´m waiting for 🙂 Regards and happy landings from Germany Markus

[@loums52]

Thanks so much and happy flying!

[@ripmanridin7092]

Nice ...........I would like to try that one!

[@approachingmax]

I am in love with the Epsilon DLS. My first one and for sure not the last one.

[@loums52]

Fantastic!

[@Hverdagemedstorm]

Hi Lou Thank you for this video. I have watched it a lot of times and was wondering if you can make a video where you share your experience with it now? I would live to hear your thoughts on it now that you really know the wing inside out. Best regards Christian from Denmark

[@loums52]

@@Hverdagemedstorm thank you! I certainly well and will try to compare it to the Iota DLS that I also fly.

[@Hverdagemedstorm]

Awesome

[@Hverdagemedstorm]

Thanks

[@olamarvin]

Nice video, thanks. Think this will be my first B, when it's time to step up from my A.

[@loums52]

Thanks for watching...there are a lot of nice wings but I love Advance wings and this is my favorite so far. What A wing are you flying? Happy flying.

[@olamarvin]

@@loums52 Thanks! I'm on a gen 1 Supair Eona I got cheap used from a pg shop. Nice to not have to worry too much about about wear and tear on the first wing.

[@loums52]

@@olamarvin …and it will be great looking forward to your next one! 🪂

[@philclough]

Hi Lou nice video, thanks for posting I wonder - although I live in the UK, my brother lives near you in Encinitas... and i've been wondering about bringing my wing over on my next trip and do some flying = I could use a little info on the how and where etc? Also I wonder if my UK BHPA club pilot rating is recognised and ok over in CA? Any thought much appreciated

[@loums52]

In the US we have the USHPA which issues ratings. Most places require at least a P-2, and many areas like Torrey Pines Gliderport a P-3 (www.ushpa.org/page/ratings-and-skills-introduction#:~:text=H%2D2%2FP%2D2,as%20operation%20in%20stronger%20winds). The manger at Torrey might require an instructor to asses your skills first as I don’t know how your club rating compares to a P-3. At other mountain sites, you can always go with someone qualified who knows the site to get an area briefing. You can also look into getting an IPPI card issued by the FAI, which is an internationally recognized rating card. I would talk to your instructor about this. He/she may also know about the USHPA rating vs. your rating. Local areas around me include Little Black and Palomar. The SDHGPA (San Diego) monitors (most) all our mountain sites and their website describes the local sites. Torrey Pines Gliderport is under a private management and you can also give them a call for license requirements. Hope this helps!

[@philclough]

thank you so much, that's great info, very much appreciated & I'll follow your tips @@loums52

[@JamesWilson-ry7gw]

Hi there, Have you considered motoring with this wing? I think it would be good for motor thermal flying. They do optional paramotor risers. I’m thinking an open PPG SP140 V2 electric paramotor and this glider would be a perfect combo. Thanks for the interesting content 😀👍

[@loums52]

Absolutely! I used my Epsilon 8 with the hybrid risers and now have the hybrid risers for the DLS. Works great and never had problems launching even in the lightest wind. I am more concerned with efficiency and glide than speed so a reflex wing is not something I really want, though I have flown the Spider, Roadster & Niviuk Kougar 2 PPG wings. Here's a link to one of my videos where I talk about using the hybrid risers (This is part 2). kzbin.info/www/bejne/m4CZe395n8aAn5Isi=-AdejxpLWxcETT0a Thanks for watching!

[@loums52]

PS. I am ALSO thinking about the SP140 for the type of flying I do. I'm very tired of 2 stroke smell and reliability (though the Atom 80 is the best of the lot).

[@oldmonk9543]

Will the DLS be durable like a standard wing as they say? Which are the best low B wings available right now?

[@loums52]

According to Advance the DLS will be just as durable as they are lighter but not a true lightweight wing. So far I think this is true. It Is lighter but handles like a standard wing. I have flown Ozone wings and they are also great. Nova, Phi, Niviuk (and others) are all well regarded. There are certainly others and if you can try to demo what looks interesting and fits well for your weight range. As you can probably tell, I’m partial to Advance wings. 😎 Thanks for watching!

[@jeffdorr5363]

Does it pack any smaller than the Epsilon 8/9? Wondering if it would fit any better with Easiness 3 harness

[@loums52]

It does pack smaller but to be honest, I have not tried it with the Easiness 3 harness. If I packed my Epsilon 9 VERY carefully, I could make it fit and I would assume the DLS IS better but I have not tried it. I use my Pi3 with the Easiness 3 now ( very easy to pack) and the Progress 3 with the DLS which is not problem. Thanks for watching!

[@michaelrogers1313]

At 91KG TFW you are just barely outside the 24 weight range, and pretty low in the 26 (according to Advance’s chart) how did it fly on the lighter side, any downsides to being light on this wing?

[@loums52]

On the Advance site, there is a "Certified Take Off Weight Range" and an "Ideal Weight Range" for all their wings. If I follow the "ideal weight range" of 86-99kg for the size 26 wing and my take off weight is 91-92 KG (depending on the weather and clothing), I'm pretty much right in the middle (and outside the "ideal" range for the 24 or 28 size). With Advance sizing determination in the Ideal Weight Range, there is no overlap of weights between wings, so a pilot typically just goes by the "ideal range" chart and chooses that wing. I could add some weight to be a little higher but I don't usually fly in those conditions where I feel I have to. I hope that helps in how I chose my size wing. All in all, I love how it flies and the 26 is ideal for me. Thanks for watching.

[@ripmanridin7092]

Hey Lou.........sent you a FB message!