Controllable lightweight Rogallo reserve
“Every great idea goes through three phases. At first it’s laughed at; then it’s violently opposed – finally it becomes accepted as obvious.” Arthur Schopenhauer
Back in 1995 the beamer started a new era in reserve parachutes for paragliders. Its rogallo concept changed the scene fundamentally. With the Beamer 2 light we reached a new milestone in reserve parachute development.
As Swiss Hanggliding Federation-expert and reserve parachute designer for High Adventure-Reserves, Urs Haari and acropilot Simon Bärtschi are responsible for the Beamer 2. Our goal was to improve the established properties as well as to significantly reduce weight and volume. Extensive research, field tests and experience from pilots all over the world ran into the design process. After one and a half years of development we present an entirely new controllable rogallo reserve. The properties of the Beamer 2 are impressive; the improvements are striking and the advantage over alternative systems evidentiary.
The Beamer 2 passed EN- and LTF-tests straightaway with sensational results: deployment time is less than 2 seconds and less than 4m/s sink when fully loaded with 130kg.
We significantly reduced weight and volume of the 42 m2 rescue by using only the best fabric which is light, but still tough and durable. We also use new material for the lines.
Many innovations which improve deployment time, sink rate and flight characteristics can be found in the design of the Beamer 2. The completely new brake concept controls the Beamer 2 in two stages: after deployment the brakes are drawn and the Beamer 2 sinks with very little horizontal speed. As soon as the pilot takes the brake handles, the brakes are released and the Beamer 2’s glide performance can be fully utilized.
Downloads |
Owner’s Manual Beamer 2 (PDF) |
• Extremely short deployment time (EN measurement 2sec) despite its big area
• Sink when fully loaded with 130kg is 3.8 m/sec (EN verified)
• Weight of less than 2 kilos, exactly 1950grams including container
• When deployed the brakes are drawn, low horizontal velocity e.g. close to a cliff.
• Variable positions of the brake handles. The rescue can be attached to the main karabiners or to the harness. In both cases the brake handles are optimally aligned.
• Direct steering behaviour allows changing direction practically on the spot
• Special riser design for better stability if the pilots position is asymmetric (e.g. after riser twist)
• Low packing volume (5429ccm)
• Four-leaf system with additional safety equipment
• Materials with superior characteristics
• Manufactured in EuropePatent applications are pending for several design details.
Opening behaviour
Thanks to the particular shape and the special “Beamer-packing technique”, the rescue opens up to 50% faster than conventional round reserves. This packing technique makes it very improbable to get lines wrapped above the canopy.We already mentioned the newly developed opening position which reduces horizontal speed after deployment. This combination of a reserve which sinks vertically but also can be controlled and glide to a safer spot for landing meets the desire of many pilots. After deployment close to a cliff or in strong wind the Beamer 2 initially sinks almost vertically. Only if the pilot takes the brake handles it starts to glide forward.
Deployment of the Beamer 2 is the same as with normal rescues (pull & throw). The Beamer 2 slowly takes horizontal airspeed even if the main glider is still attached to the harness. Because of this slow horizontal airspeed the main glider is slightly less loaded and can be kept in B-Stall with only one hand. The other hand is used to control the direction of flight. If the paraglider can be released fast (e.g. with a fast release system) the Beamer 2’s characteristics can be fully utilized. Glide performance doubles and sink only increases very little.
Installation
The Beamer 2 can be fitted into an outer rescue container (e.g. all High Adventure models in size M) or into an integrated rescue container. Depending on the type of container which is used, the rescue is installed to the main karabiners or to the harness.
Important: To attach the rescue to the harness, appropriate straps on the harness are needed.
Technical Details | |
Area flat: | 41.75m2 |
Weight Beamer 2 including container: | 1‘950gr |
Max load: | 130kg |
Sink rate (loaded with 130kg, EN Test): | 3.8m/sec |
Opening time (EN tested): | 2sec |
Packing volume: | 5270ccm |
Number of Panels: | 18 |
Number of middle lines: | 9×2 |
Type Certificate: | RG 023.2010 / EP 023.2010 |
Applied test guideline/standards: | EN 12491:2001 / 2.DV LuftGerPV §1, Nr.7c |
FAQ
Get answers to common questions about the Beamer 2.
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