Meeting of test centres and PMA

The test stop of EN-D gliders by the test centres for will not be continued.
The certification system has to stay very objective. Some new EN-D gliders have passed the certification flight tests.
These gliders were already tested following the agreed limitation for folding lines issued by the meeting of the test centres and the PMA on 09 December 2011.

The certification system has not the power to issue technical limits like aspect ratio or speed. This is up to the manufacturers and competition organizers. The pilots have to realize that within the EN-D category there is a wide range of gliders for different levels of pilots. Gliders, which are designed to be used only by the most skilled pilots in top level competitions and the traditional style EN-D gliders as we have known them since many years for the more recreational pilots.

The description for the pilot level to fly with an EN-D glider is defined in the norm:

“EN-D
Paragliders with demanding flying characteristics and potentially violent reactions to turbulence and pilot errors. Recovery to normal flight requires precise pilot input.
Designed for pilots well practised in recovery techniques, who fly very actively, have significant experience of flying in turbulent conditions, and who accept the implications of flying such a wing.”