The XXLite is one of the most unique paragliders to ever be put into production. This modern single-surface design is the absolute ultimate in ultra-lightweight flight and is probably the lightest aircraft in existence. The OZONE R&D Team contains several members who are avid alpinists and hike & fly pilots, and this wing is the result of our passion for innovation and adventure. It is a special wing for special pilots who fully understand its limitations, and have the skill and experience to pilot it.

With the entire canopy open to the relative airflow and approximately 5kg of air missing from “inside” the wing, the XXLite is more than 80% lighter while flying than a normal paraglider of the same size. This means that the pilot will experience more of the air than ever thought possible, as it has so much less inertia as it moves through variations in the air mass. This heightened “sensitivity” should not be understated, and it is important that pilots who choose to fly the XXLite are capable of appreciating the feedback that this wing will provide, and also of evaluating the conditions that are appropriate for flying it.

For the reasons above, it would be an oversimplification to call the XXLite a “descent” wing. The feeling of the XXLite in flight is totally unfiltered and may be disconcerting to pilots without the necessary experience. When flying the XXLite, it is important to realize that its movements and feedback are a natural result of physics. Without the weight of a volume of air inside the wing, the airfoil is highly affected by every movement it encounters in the atmosphere but this does not make the wing inherently unstable. Due to the wing’s lack of inertia, it also has far less of a tendency to overshoot, and this reduced amplitude is a positive characteristic in turbulence.

The pure glide performance of the XXLite is comparable to an Ultralite of the same size, but the trim speed is significantly slower and it does not have an accelerator system. Therefore, pilots must anticipate this lack of available speed when choosing conditions to fly in. The slower trim speed means that you will spend more time in a headwind or turbulent area, and your glide will be proportionately affected.

Despite its limitations, the XXLite can be a versatile wing and is capable of great things. During its air-trial period, OZONE Team Pilot Martin Bonis flew the XXLite to the summit of Mt Blanc, where he top-landed on one of the strongest thermal days of 2012. Likewise, pilots who enjoy the enhanced sensations of “unprotected sex flight” will get the most out of this exciting new design.

The XXLite is recommended for experienced pilots who are looking to add a special second (or third) wing to their quiver. As always, we recommend contacting your local OZONE dealer to arrange a test flight. If you think that the XXLite is right for you, then we hope that you enjoy flying this special project as much as we have, and we hope to share a summit with you one day.

Cheers from all the Team.