This is the brand's sport B level wing (as a progression EN B wing, there is the Illusion). Its performance clearly places it at the top of the "B high" wings, but its accessibility is worthy of a mid-range category. This is not the first time we have found it, a sign that some manufacturers are managing to improve their performance while tempering their machines.
By Jean-Michel Ara-Somohano
This is the brand's sport B level wing (as a progression EN B wing, there is the Illusion). Its performance clearly places it at the top of the "B high" wings, but its accessibility is worthy of a mid-range category. This is not the first time we have found it, a sign that some manufacturers are managing to improve their performance while tempering their machines.
Mac Para Technology, a brand founded in 1991, is for connoisseurs one of the most esteemed companies on the free flight scene. Founded by the rigorous Peter Recek - ex-competitor and engineer - the Czech company has forged an impeccable brand image. Its great successes in competition (with the Valic brothers, Petra Slivova and Greg Blondeau, European champion under the brand's wing) are briefly recalled and it is back with the new Magus.
Choosing a Mac Para paraglider or paramotor wing - the range being particularly extensive - means choosing a well-made, impeccably crafted wing, especially as Peter Recek, self-made man and always the "orchestra man" in his company, says he has other things to do than deal with complications! The Eden 7 is a perfect illustration of this, superbly built with reliable materials, it offers exemplary flying pleasure and comfort.
A total of 14 hours of thermal flying in September. Sites of Passy Plaine-Joux, Mieussy, pre-alps of Lake Geneva, carried out at different weights to explore PTVs ranging from 90 to 103 kg. Each outing ended with a big session to explore behaviour outside the flight envelope. Three morning measurement flights.
Three standard colour combinations are offered (based on blue, white, lime), with really successful designs... Special colours are possible, which can be modelled on the brand's website. The delivery pack includes the sail, a carrying bag, a repair kit and a T-shirt.
When unfolded, with 59 cells, a high aspect ratio of 6.06, minimalist lines, the Eden 7 clearly shows its ambitions... This glider is also intended for hungry cross country pilots who are looking for a product capable of satisfying their flying ambitions.
The 6 sizes cover a range of 55 to 145 kg, allowing everyone to be ideally placed in the range. The weight of the Eden 7 is "semi-light" with only 4.75 kg in size 26-M tested but no ultra-light fabrics are found . The leading edge is even made of 38 g/m2 Skytex, the top and underside are made of 32 g/m2, the structure is made of Skytex 32 Hard and everything is made of Porcher Sport fabrics. All this is for durability.
The shark-nose leading edge, assembled in "3 D shaping" technique, is perfectly held in shape by an elaborate mix of Nylon ropes and small Mylar reinforcements. Between each load-bearing bulkhead, reinforcement strips are connected to the anchor points to distribute the stresses. In the span, between the B and C lines, a wide internal band ensures good cohesion of the whole.
On the line side, the yardage is optimized to the maximum, with only 2 layers on the main part of the wing. Dyneema sheathed in main lines (from Liros), unsheathed in the upper stage (Aramide from Edelrid) and one remark: if the wing is of 3-line A-B-C architecture, the C1-C2 (central) lines are divided into upper parts, the "false D line" thus anchored allows a better holding of the profile in the line.
The thin risers are equipped with Harken ball pulleys, the nice semi-rigid handle on the C risers (acting on the C and B lines via a return system) aims at an efficient pitch control at high speed.
In the end, the general level of workmanship is simply admirable (see detail photos), confirmed from the first inflation by a smooth plan shape. In braking, the flap effect is perfect. We can note the wingtips rather plunging, ended by floating stabilos.
The clear lines have no tendency to cravat, even at the wingtips and stabilos. There is nothing unusual to report when spread out. The semi-light weight logically makes it easier to inflate in light winds. Central A actions are efficient, precise.
If the climb seems quite progressive at first, the acceleration phase that follows usually requires good time delays (in sustained conditions). By groundhandling, the wing appears particularly homogeneous, playful in roll, allowing you to work on its window-edge placements with ease and little control input. In static conditions, the good handling at low speeds allows the wing to hold the slightest breath.
In short, in inflation and by groundhandling, the Eden 7 is a real toy, very homogeneous, easy.
Some high performance EN Bs give off a real rigidity worthy of machines in higher categories. The Eden 7 appears very balanced. Like most modern wings, while the leading edge remains offensive, the pitch damping is clear and present, favouring a loose handling. There is no need to permanently constrain the very solid and homogeneous airfoil. It provides a high quality of damping, really filtering out strong conditions.
As for the structure, it keeps a great general cohesion in the wingspan and the chord, while giving a real flexibility and an immediate feeling of well-being.
However, the communicative character is there: you can feel what's going on underneath the glider, but always in a rather muffled way. In active aerology, the wing transmits good feedback, and the outer 1/3 of the glider takes the pilot on a very light roll, allowing for a good optimization of the navigation. The understanding of the air mass is therefore easy, while the pilot can fly with confidence in a constant feeling of comfort.
With glide performance at the top of the segment, immediately evident and confirmed in transitions with EN C's, all the conditions are in place for efficient cross country flying. Particularly along the ridge where the cushioned character allows you to progress serenely.
Firstly, if the point of contact is present, the effort to be produced in command actions remains measured and fairly constant, even in deep movements. This is a good thing, because the temperate nature of the wing requires the use of good travel. This is because, at the top of the course, you are only accompanying the glider while flying fairly flat. To engage, sharpen and then tighten the turn, the pilot simply has to lower his hand. Attention, precision, nothing "slips" but simply, in thermal flight, if the reactivity is not obtained immediately, it is necessary to use the travel offered by the control range.
From then on, the harmonious turn becomes more obvious and pleasant: once this element has been assimilated, you can place the wing precisely where you want it to be in order to core well, tightly on the edge. The wingtips do not wander around, the general cohesion makes it easy to settle into the thermal and to exploit it easily, even at low speeds.
The level of safety produced logically allows you to excel in flight in the terrain. The wing is stable and can withstand the worst turbulence without suffering in support, it only requires a adequate piloting, without hyper vigilance. Playing with the travel to use the good handling in slow flight allows you to exploit the terrain as close as possible: tracing the terrain is therefore comfortable, even in weak conditions. To take full advantage of these properties, the ideal choice seems to be a harness that is not too stable. In fact, on my equipment, with the chest strap wide open, the wing really gained ina reactivity without losing its cohesion. The question of stability and reactivity is a question of stability and reactivity, so it is up to the pilot to define his capacities and expectations.
In conclusion: the docility, tolerance, damped temperament, and control travel, are real guarantees of comfort, safety, and efficiency, producing a good pleasure of piloting in thermal flight and by soaring.
Gliding and floating performance is clearly at the top of the class, in action. On this subject, it is important to remember that far from the rather theoretical measurements in a calm air mass that is never repetitive, the TRUE potential of a paraglider is defined by its behaviour in active air masses AND by the ease with which its performance can be exploited.
With our test glider, the stability and homogeneity of the Eden 7 allows us to easily and fully use its power. In prospecting, from trim speed to first bar, the gliding is easy and comfortable. You just have to let the glider fly. It floats and "sniffs" the airmass: just follow it with smooth weighshift action in your harness.
The speed bar pressure is high and hard to engage. It allows you to feel the glider and modulate the actions, if necessary, in turbulent air.
Because even at high speed, the damping on all axes is permanent, always preserving comfort, safety and efficiency. No parasitic movements of the wingtips, very few pitch attacks to control, low amplitudes in roll, this Eden 7 is really docile and efficient throughout its speed range. Of course the vigilance must increase when flying accelerated, but stability remains omnipresent.
"With our test glider, the stability and homogeneity of the Eden 7 allows us to easily and fully use its power. In prospecting, from trim speed to first bar, the gliding is easy and comfortable. You just have to let the glider fly. It floats and "sniffs" the airmass: just follow it with smooth weighshift action in your harness.
The speed bar pressure is high and hard to engage. It allows you to feel the glider and modulate the actions, if necessary, in turbulent air. "
To perfect the accompanying actions, the C risers are equipped with semi-rigid steering handles. The system operating on the B and C rows of the profile is very efficient, but makes the actions quite physical. Also in use, as the wing is very damped, the classic C risers alone seem to be more economical and sufficient. It is up to each pilot to define his or her preferences, according to his or her size, sensations and power. In terms of top speed, with measurements at 52-53 km/h, the machine is perhaps not the fastest in its class. But it's one of the strongest, most efficient and accessible, and therefore one of the most effective and efficient in hostile conditions.
The good damping on all axes and the sturdiness of the Eden 7 determine a very high level of safety. If it is necessary to tap in the travel to take the wing to large angles (wing-overs, 360, inversions...), the homogeneity and cohesion remain constant. When discovering the out of flight domain, no bad surprises are to be feared. In frontstalls, stalls, asymmetric stalls with up to 50 % of accelerator, developed spins, etc., re-flight is just as smooth, surprisingly temperate for the segment. And over several sessions of a full program of mischief, not a single cravat ever happend in the program.
More classically, the ears proved to be elementary in use, during top landing game, for example.
For such a level of performance, the Eden 7 is definitely an affordable choice for the category. The cushioned, attentive character allows you to fully exploit the wing's energy and potential. The behaviour in rough conditions, the solidity, the efficiency in prospecting, thermal flight and accelerated glide will be implemented to endure long cross country flights with confidence. The deep control range travel offers a good safety-handling range.
The level of workmanship and the quality of the materials guarantee an ageing threshold measured in conventional use. A glider designed for rapacious pilots!
Cross country or local site pilots looking for a wing with top performance in the EN B category, damped, accessible, healthy. Pilots who prefer measured, considerate and economical behaviour, including accelerated flight. A wing that also remains very well balanced at wide angles and that allows you to approach outside the flight envelope with serenity. A good transition before moving on to higher aspect ratio, EN C class wings.
Make and model: Mac Para Eden 7 in size 26 (M), homologation in weight range 82-103 kg.
Test: carried out at loadings ranging from 90 to 103 kg, with different weights. Response and control force remain very linear within the tested weight range.
The ideal loading seems to me to be 99-100 kg: at the top of weight range, the transmissions become a little more dynamic and the control actions more reactive.
Brake effort: median from the point of contact, then slightly increasing until the end of the travel. The effort to be produced in control actions is classic for the category, allowing you to feel the energy of the machine, while at the same time making low speeds safer. There is no problem to physically support the riding with one turn of the brake, without any pain in the hands. The Eden 7 being stable on all axes, very steady in turns, the thermal piloting is quite economical.
Turn reversals: good reactivity, very proportional to the amplitude of the command actions. Once the damping character is integrated, the wing is intuitively set up to wide angles without any difficulties.
If the turn is progressive in nature, the fast and deep actions allow you to launch the wing efficiently, to tighten the thermal at will, and to navigate the terrain very efficiently and safely.
Spiral behaviour: likewise, progressive turning, use the travel, and accompany well. The exit is also quite progressive, a bit of inertia, but without spiral neutrality.
Roll behaviour: after handling the wing and with the right actions, the wing is really playful on the axis in thermals but no parasitic roll is to be deplored in transitions where the wing navigates very flat, at all speeds.
Yaw behaviour: very little yaw, never undesirable. And the Eden 7 is very cohesive in wingspan in all circumstances. It is very difficult to unite the outer 1/3, even at low speeds, which makes soaring and resting games particularly healthy.
Pitch behaviour: big damping with a leading edge that always peacefully transmits the necessary information. Ideal for thrifty piloting, accelerated navigation and cross-country flying with relief support.
Accelerator control: very accessible in relation to the level of performance offered ... The median effort engagement-piloting allows you to feel the profile and to act without delay. The supple character favours accelerator steering, requiring little action on the "C" grips. The high cohesion of the wing and its ability to navigate on a flat surface allows the use of high speeds at every transition.
Accessibility commentary: "B middle" in piloting, "B high" in performance It's that some wings much more rigid vampirize all the pilot's energy, and rinse you out in 2 hours of flight! While the Eden 7 offers a level of performance really at the top of its category but still remains very accessible: its ultra progressive character, its stability and its great cohesion at all speeds make it very comfortable to use. You can exploit the properties of the wing for hours on end, without running out of power... This means enjoying fully, serenely, and flying with pleasure!
Measurements taken: minimum sink rate 1.05 m/s +/- 0.1. Speed arms up, 39 km/h +/-0,5.
With accelerator: at 25%, 42 km/h +/-1, glide ratio 10.1 +/- 0.2. At 50%, 46 km/h +/-1, smoothness 8.8 +/- 0.2. At 100%: 52 km/h +/-1, smoothness 8.2 +/- 0.2.
Harness used: cocoon race type. Measurements made at 100 kg GVW, wing loading 3.83 kg/m2 (strong).
Complete wing homogeneity in all situations. Cushioned character on all axes and large control travel. Ease of use in prospecting. High level of solidity, safety and accessibility at high speeds. High performance in navigation over the whole polar region, especially in accelerated flight. Thermal flight approval and relief support.
Quality of materials and workmanship. With excellent weight-to-durability ratio (very moderate weight without using ultra-light fabrics). Six sizes covering PTV from 55 to 145 kg.
The wing is not highly reactive at the beginning of the brake travel. The handling is however good using the full range. According to several pilots we consulted, the speed is much better in the XS and S sizes. It seems to me that the choice of a harness that is not too stable is important.
Make and model - Mac Para Eden 7
Designer - Peter Recek, former competitor, founder of the company. Assisted by Christian Amon (development and testing)
Manufacturing - Mac Para (Czech Republic) and Sky Sports (Sri Lanka) workshops
Airframe type and leading edge
59 cells. Very nice work of BA reinforcements, with a combination of small Mylars and short Nylon rods on the leading edge of shark-nose type. 3 D shaping anti-ballooning design
Internal structure
Hanging in only 2 decks and 3 lines, with anchors every 3 or 4 main bulkheads, connected by internal tension bands (on deck). Large internal tension band in the span (between lines B and C)
Fabric
All Porcher Sport. Leading edge in Skytex 38 g/m2 Universal. Extrados and intrados in Skytex 32 Universal. Main walls and diagonals in Skytex 32 Hard.
Trailing edge With mini-ribs
Line, materials and observations
Sheathed in low parts, Liros PPSL (Dyneema). Unsheathed upper parts in Edelrid Aramide 8000-U series
Principle and ramifications
Type 3 lines in A + A', B, C and in 2 floors only on A1-A2, B1-B2. Wingtips and C in 3 stages, but very short
Low line distribution
2 A + A', 3 B + stabilo, 3 C
Surface condition
Nice surface condition. Impeccable leading edge at all flight regimes. Perfect braking flap
Branches - 3 main branches in A + A', B and C, Polyester and Aramid 12 mm
Coloured markers - Yes, on every branch
Ear device - Yes, by dedicated 'A' lift
Blocking of lines on links - Yes, low lines sheathed, O-ring sealed
Handles on the "C" risers - Yes, with deflection system for action on B and C lifts
Accelerator - Yes. Ronstan two-ball pulley block block per lift.
Fastening and holding, type of support - Magnetic fasteners. Classic ergonomic handles
Swivel - Yes
Appreciation of the construction
**** On top. The fruit of Mac Para's know-how (a brand founded in 1991 and which has never compromised on its reliability-sustainability objectives). Proven and stable materials. Beautiful surface finishes
Appreciation of the whole
**** If its performance places the Eden 7 at the top of its category, its damped character and its general riding comfort make it accessible for its elongation, almost "B middle" type for the requirement in piloting
**** the best, *** very good, ** can do better.