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BGD GmbH Adam M
Sicherheitsklasse 3
BGD GmbH Adam M

Instability rating
Safety class 1 Safety class 2 Safety class 3 Safety class 4 Safety class 5
asymmetric collapse
course change
forward pitching
height loss
sink velocity
G-Force
Frontal collapse
height loss
sink velocity
Spiral dives
G-Force
Sink velocity after 720°
Maximum sink velocity
Behaviour on brake release
course change after spiral dive exit
Height loss during recovery
Safety class 3
Pilot skill requirements:
Recovery techniques and experience levels greater than those learned in initial training.
SIV training recommended.
Regular flight practice.

Glider characteristics
Launch preparations: easy
launch characteristics: balanced, climbs constantly, no guidance necessary, good feedback during inflation, little braking required, slows before zenith, control check simple, low takeoff speed
asymmetric collapse: moderate dynamics, total course change 180-270°, (3), fast course change rate, moderate forward pitching 45-60°, (2), moderate height loss 30-39 m, (2), very low sink velocity <10 m/s, G-Force 2,5- 2,9 G, (2)
Frontal collapse: marked pitch backwards 45-60°, marked pitch forwards 45-60°, moderate dynamics, immediate automatic recovery, symmetric recovery, immediate return to normal airspeed, low height loss 20-29m, (1), very low sink velocity <10 m/s, (1)
Spiral dives: rapid sink velocity increase, Moderate G-Force 3,5- 4.0 G, (2), Sink velocity after 720° <14 m/s, (1), Moderate maximum sink velocity < 18 m/s, (2), sink velocity increase < 6 m/s on brake release, (2), Course change 180-360° after spiral exit, (2), moderate height loss during recovery 30-60 m, (2)
B-Stall: high force required, moderate pitch backwards 15-30°, low pitch forwards <15°, stable sink phase, no tendency to deform, immediate return to normal airspeed, 8-10 m/s, height loss on recovery 20-40 m
big ears: simple initiation, stable flight phase, immediate automatic recovery, Vsink unaccelerated 3-3,5 m/s, Vsink accelerated 3,5-4 m/s, Vunaccelerated 0-3 km/h less than trimspeed, Vaccelerated 5-8 km/h faster than trimspeed
Steering behaviour: agile to dynamic, 60 cm brake travel range, very noticable brake pressure increasse, Late stall point, easily identifiable

Notes
Asymmetric Collapse:
The responsive Adam from Bruce Goldsmith Design (BGD)was the only A class glider
tested here and demonstrated honest and reproducible collapse behaviour. Regarding
dynamics, the glider is at the top end of the A scale, but pitching was notably better than the other gliders tested here.The glider collapses steeply and turns rapidly through 90-180°, following this the rotation slows markedly but continues for another 180° before normal flight is regained.On massive collapses an occasional further rotation of 90° was noted. Forward pitching remained under 60°. It was possible to collapse the glider over the maximum defined in the EN/LTF tests, but even then the glider reacted moderately.

Front Collapse:
Past tests have indicated that reactions to front collapses in the EN/LTF B class can be
particularly challenging to deal with. This is however not the case for the current set of
paragliders tested here. BGD's Adam showed the best behaviour, even in response to large front collapses. The glider's construction means the wing tips do not readily fully collapse, but the glider shows no tendency to go into a front horseshoe.

Spiral Dive:
The agile handling of BGD's Adam makes entering a spiral particularly easy. Sink velocities increase rapidly, but are moderate at their maximum. Recovery on exiting is rapid with only little course change. The behaviour of the other gliders was more dynamic, as to be expected in the EN/LTF B class.

B-Stall:
Very stable sink phase, low pitching back and forward.

Big Ears:
Very easy, wingtips stable, no flapping.

Rating

Safety class 3

This class of paraglider react moderately to one or more of the following manoeuvres: frontal collapse, asymmetric collapse or spiral dive.
Moderately means that the above manoeuvres result in dynamic reactions from the glider and/or large height losses.

Good piloting skills which need to be regularly practised, together with good personal reaction times which are above basic training levels are required to safely fly this class of gliders.

Skill and experience levels greater than those attained in basic training are required to safely recover from the above manoeuvres. Emergency descent manoeuvres, in particular spiral dives may require advanced recovery skills. Additional training such as regular ground handling or SIV training is recommended.