Ozone Photon 2-line EN C kiting and 1st flight impression

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   • Ozone Photon 2-line EN C kiting and 1st fl...  

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For my 1st flight on my Photon ML I was all-up at 98 kg, which is slightly above the midpoint.

I wrote Russ Ogden about being at 98, his reply below:

"Hi Steve

98 is pretty good, this was the weight I flew throughout the development. Hono was lighter, around 95. We set the wing how we like it at these loads. 100kg is a good place too, but there is no need to fly at the max weight, I find the handling better a little lighter as it tends to yaw more in the turn and dive less than when at max weight."

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Wow, the Photon really wants to fly! The glide ratio and speed are amazing, instantly noticeable, significantly more than the A4. It would climb every time it encountered a slight gust. It was weak and cross from the south, the kind of conditions that would have resulted in a sledder on the A4 - but instead I was able to make about 10 passes low on "The Triangle."

The structure is very cohesive. Brakes slightly long, but with a half wrap not annoyingly so. It turns fine with weight shift and pulling brakes to the inside as recommended by Russ. The B controls feel nice, it's all very intuitive - I did a few ridge-soaring turns using the B's. After I left The Triangle and headed down I pushed half bar, it gets more solid and the glide is unaffected. Landing was easy, the brakes are progressive and the approaching stall point is obvious and easy to avoid.

Launch was easy, felt like a slightly snakier A4, needing a bit more wrangling but nothing annoying. It rises easier than the D4 but feels more damped than the A4.

It will be interesting to fly it in real thermals.

I see why people are seduced by 2-liners. The solidity and glide were eye-opening.