We first put RAST in our paragliders that were certificated A through to C and it soon proved its worth in practice. Therefore it was a logical step to think that it should also have unique advantages to offer pilots of 2 liners too.We suspected that in regards to canopy control, especially when there are only two sets of lines, it would be reassuring for the pilot to know there was a unique element between the line levels that stabilised the canopy and counteracted the spread of any canopy deformations.
Initial experimental flights quickly confirmed our suspicions, but the basic requirements for a 2-liner were so high that the right framework conditions first had to be created in order to push the project forward in a meaningful way. Almost two years ago, Maurizio Bottegal, our long-standing Italian importer and former competition pilot, approached us with his wish for an uncomplicated XC 2-liner, combining the advantages of a 2-liner with the advantages of RAST.
Together with a team of experienced XC and competition pilots used to flying two liners, he offered to help us with the development and extensive tests and comparison flights that would be required.
All this with the aim of being able to offer demanding and ambitious XC pilots a reliable cross-country wing at the highest performance level, where the full performance potential can be utilised as easily as possible.
Our designer and test pilot, Alessio Casolla, was immediately fascinated by the idea of combining 2-liner technology with RAST to make it accessible to a wider range of pilots. With a lot of enthusiasm, the Sphera RS has now been brought to market by SWING and this team of passionate pilots. The first feedback, both from C-class pilots and 2-liner pilots, confirms our impression and reports a remarkable 2 liner XC wing that is coherent and easy to pilot. a coherent and easy-to-pilot overall package.
With an aspect ratio of 6.9, the Sphera RS underlines its hight-performance class claim.
But anyone who takes a closer look at the test flight reports will immediately notice what an exceptional EN-D wing the Sphera RS is.
We are excited to see what development potential the combination of 2-liner technology and RAST has to offer for other paraglider categories…
