Advance Omega

Last updated
Omega
AdvanceOmega5.jpg
Omega 5
Role Paraglider
National origin Switzerland
Manufacturer Advance Thun SA
Status In production (Omega XAlps, 2016)
Unit cost
£2,399 (Omega 5 30, 2004)

The Advance Omega is a series of Swiss single-place, paragliders, designed and produced by Advance Thun of Thun. [1]

Switzerland federal republic in Western Europe

Switzerland, officially the Swiss Confederation, is a country situated in western, central and southern Europe. It consists of 26 cantons, and the city of Bern is the seat of the federal authorities. The sovereign state is a federal republic bordered by Italy to the south, France to the west, Germany to the north, and Austria and Liechtenstein to the east. Switzerland is a landlocked country geographically divided between the Alps, the Swiss Plateau and the Jura, spanning a total area of 41,285 km2 (15,940 sq mi). While the Alps occupy the greater part of the territory, the Swiss population of approximately 8.5 million people is concentrated mostly on the plateau, where the largest cities are to be found: among them are the two global cities and economic centres Zürich and Geneva.

Advance Thun SA is a Swiss aircraft manufacturer based in Thun. The company specializes in the design and manufacture of paragliders, harnesses, paragliding carrying bags and paragliding clothing.

Thun Place in Bern, Switzerland

Thun is a town and a municipality in the administrative district of Thun in the canton of Bern in Switzerland with about 43,783 inhabitants, as of 31 December 2013.

Contents

Design and development

The Omega was designed as the competition glider in the company's line. [1]

The design has progressed through many generations of models, from the original Omega, through the Omega 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 to the Omega XAlps, each improving on the last. The models are each named for their rough wing area in square metres. [1]

The Omega XAlps variant was developed as a specially lightened model, for cross country bivouac flying, involving flying, camping and hiking. [2]

Operational history

The Omega XAlps was flown by Chrigel Maurer and Sebastian Huber in the 2015 Red Bull X-Alps competition. They flew 1,000 km (620 mi) over seven days and placed first and second respectively. [2]

The Red Bull X-Alps is a paragliding race in which athletes must hike or fly 1,000 km across the Alps. It first launched in 2003 and has since taken place every other year. Around 30 athletes take part and must navigate their way via a predetermined set of turnpoints that vary with each race. Every kilometer must be covered either on foot or by paraglider. Teams consist of one athlete and one official supporter, whose role it is to provide technical advice, mental and nutritional support.

Variants

Omega 5 24
Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 11.4 m (37.4 ft) span wing has wing area of 23.0 m2 (248 sq ft), 64 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.6:1. The pilot weight range is 65 to 85 kg (143 to 187 lb). The glider model is DHV 2-3 and AFNOR certified. [1]
Omega 5 27
Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its 12.1 m (39.7 ft) span wing has wing area of 26.0 m2 (280 sq ft), 64 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.6:1. The pilot weight range is 80 to 105 kg (176 to 231 lb). The glider model is DHV 2-3 and AFNOR certified. [1]
Omega 5 30
Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its wing has an area of 29.2 m2 (314 sq ft), 64 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.6:1. The pilot weight range is 100 to 120 kg (220 to 265 lb). The glider model is DHV 2-3 and AFNOR certified. [1]
Omega 7 24
Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 12.22 m (40.1 ft) span wing has wing area of 23.7 m2 (255 sq ft), 73 cells and the aspect ratio is 6.3:1. The glider weight is 5.95 kg (13 lb) and the take-off weight range is 70 to 90 kg (154 to 198 lb). Glide ratio is 10:1. [3]
Omega 7 26
Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its 12.77 m (41.9 ft) span wing has wing area of 25.89 m2 (278.7 sq ft), 73 cells and the aspect ratio is 6.3:1. The glider weight is 6.35 kg (14 lb) and the take-off weight range is 80 to 103 kg (176 to 227 lb). Glide ratio is 10:1. [3]
Omega 7 28
Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its 13.29 m (43.6 ft) span wing has wing area of 28.05 m2 (301.9 sq ft), 73 cells and the aspect ratio is 6.3:1. The glider weight is 6.75 kg (15 lb) and the take-off weight range is 90 to 116 kg (198 to 256 lb). Glide ratio is 10:1. [3]
Omega 7 30
Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 13.73 m (45.0 ft) span wing has wing area of 29.91 m2 (321.9 sq ft), 73 cells and the aspect ratio is 6.3:1. The glider weight is 7.15 kg (16 lb) and the take-off weight range is 100 to 130 kg (220 to 287 lb). Glide ratio is 10:1. [3]
Omega 8 23
Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 12.32 m (40.4 ft) span wing has wing area of 22.55 m2 (242.7 sq ft), 73 cells and the aspect ratio is 6.8:1. The glider weight is 5.4 kg (12 lb) and the take-off weight range is 65 to 85 kg (143 to 187 lb). [4]
Omega 8 25
Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its 12.86 m (42.2 ft) span wing has wing area of 24.5 m2 (264 sq ft), 73 cells and the aspect ratio is 6.8:1. The glider weight is 5.7 kg (13 lb) and the take-off weight range is 75 to 95 kg (165 to 209 lb). [4]
Omega 8 27
Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its 13.38 m (43.9 ft) span wing has wing area of 26.5 m2 (285 sq ft), 73 cells and the aspect ratio is 6.8:1. The glider weight is 6.0 kg (13 lb) and the take-off weight range is 85 to 110 kg (187 to 243 lb). [4]
Omega 8 29
Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 13.87 m (45.5 ft) span wing has wing area of 28.5 m2 (307 sq ft), 73 cells and the aspect ratio is 6.8:1. The glider weight is 6.4 kg (14 lb) and the take-off weight range is 100 to 130 kg (220 to 287 lb). [4]
Omega XAlps 22
Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 12.6 m (41.3 ft) span wing has wing area of 23.0 m2 (248 sq ft), 63 cells and the aspect ratio is 6.9:1. The glider weight is 3.40 kg (7 lb) and the take-off weight range is 75 to 95 kg (165 to 209 lb). The glider model is EN/LTF D certified. [2]
Omega XAlps 24
Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 13.1 m (43.0 ft) span wing has wing area of 24.8 m2 (267 sq ft), 63 cells and the aspect ratio is 6.9:1. The glider weight is 3.55 kg (8 lb) and the take-off weight range is 90 to 110 kg (198 to 243 lb). The glider model is EN/LTF D certified. [2]

Specifications (Omega 5 24)

Data from Bertrand [1]

General characteristics

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 52 km/h (32 mph; 28 kn)

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 10. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
  2. 1 2 3 4 Advance Thun SA. "Omega XAlps". advance.ch. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Advance Thun SA. "Omega 7 Technical details". advance.ch. Archived from the original on 25 September 2006. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Advance Thun SA. "Omega 8". advance.ch. Archived from the original on 30 May 2014. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
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