As most biplace wings on the market are low B concepts, we heard of the demand for a high performance wing, that is stylish and a joy to fly with.
So here is the RONDO: a high aspect ratio High B wing!
The performance is amazing: you need a high aspect ratio 2 liner to keep up to shoot detail photos!
With 58 cells, miniribs and aspect ratio of 5.7, the RONDO is high end B.
But beyond that, we have developed new technology around NITINOL rods!
The new neoprene padding on the leading edge distributes the pressure of the Nitinol rods over a larger area and makes the wing nose significantly more robust against abrasion.
Nitinol in general is offering very easy packing and low stress by being very form stable. Of course the takeoff behaviour is outstanding: a must have for a modern biplace wing.
The RONDO is using a new type of “double reef” brake system. Never ever the brake pressure on a tandem was that low, with still having full feedback and control!
On top of the “TODO” list was “low weight”: we introduced a new, extremely efficient and form stable internal structure. The diagonal fingers are split into narrow stripes with additional tapes. The internal camera views make you feel like being in an old huge cathedral: wide open, weightless bows: check it out!
Finally the big size of the RONDO (certified up to 240kg) is still below 7kg!
As we began with the new biplace project, we wanted to do something outstanding, that will set the margin for the next years.
The whole development of the RONDO took us a long time, but we wanted to be as careful as possible. We even already made a certification load test in advance to be able to have pre serial wings been tested out there in the wild.
We integrated the feedback of the pro pilots into another step of evolution. We experienced that we have found a super efficient solution to the “deep spiral” problem, many biplace wings have. The challenge is, offering super high agility and no stable deep spiral (which leads to a fail in certification tests). So the RONDO is offering an extreme good handling, still being easy in the spiral.
We made lots of takeoff test with video analysis to be sure to have best inflating wing in that class. Now the RONDO is not only inflating extremely fast: it is rising up perfectly, and because of the superb performance: lifting you off the ground easily.
Hannes Papesh
| RONDO / RONDO C | ||||
| size | 190 | 210 | 230 | |
| number of cells | 58 | 58 | 58 | |
| projected span | m | 11,12 | 11,66 | 12,03 |
| projected area | m² | 29,97 | 32,97 | 35,05 |
| projected aspect ratio | 4,13 | 4,13 | 4,13 | |
| flat span | m | 14,18 | 14,87 | 15,33 |
| flat area | m² | 35,38 | 38,92 | 41,37 |
| flat aspect ratio | 5,68 | 5,68 | 5,68 | |
| line length | m | 8,45 | 8,86 | 9,14 |
| maximum chord | m | 3,04 | 3,19 | 3,29 |
| minimum chord | m | 0,75 | 0,81 | 0,81 |
| weight | kg | 6.1 | 6.5 | 6.9 |
| certified weight range | kg | 100-200 | 110-220 | 135-240 |
| certification (EN/LTF) | B | B | B | |
| material | Porcher 38, 27 | |||
| risers | RZ13 (3+1) | |||
| riser length | mm | 347 | 347 | 347 |
| trim travel | mm | 80 | 80 | 80 |
RONDO and RONDO C have the same tech data. By the usage of the less weight uncovered lines in the RONDO C (= competition) version, the C version is around 100g lighter.
The bottom sail is mainly white. But it is easy to do custom colors with logos in the fab. The fab can do printing, sticking or sewing of logos.
Based on the feedback of the pro pilots out there we decided to offer 2 version of the RONDO:
RONDO: the normal version with all covered lines.
RONDO C: with uncovered 8001 lines, except the main lines from PPSLS.
Both versions have load and flight tests. The general flying behaviour is very similar. The C version shows slightly better performance and has slightly less weight.
RONDO on the DHV load test.
The new neoprene padding on the leading edge distributes the pressure of the Nitinol rods over a larger area and makes the wing nose significantly more robust against abrasion.
Nitinol in general is offering very easy packing and low stress by being very form stable. Of course the takeoff behaviour is outstanding: a must have for a modern biplace wing.
We spent a lot of time to optimise the takeoff behaviour of the RONDO.
-how it gets inflated, how it comes over the pilot and how it lifts you off the ground were in our focus.
Finally, because of the NITINOL rods the inflation is perfect. In stronger winds you may only grab center As to have it a little delayed.
The rising is optimised: we were working on double B position and fork geometry.
-and finally (because of the superb performance): you get lifted extremely early.
Feedback from all test pilots: you are impressively picked off the ground after a short run.
For a super nice flare, you need a brake with good reaction and feedback, which is producing just the right amount of lift.
-and you need a wing with performance to have enough energy.
You will love the flare behaviour of the RONDO!
The RONDO has a very efficient 50% B transition trim system.
As the RONDO has a 3 riser system, the trim travel is very efficient, even more as the B is opened half of the C.
The wingtip has separete riser: this is enabling faster access to wingtip A, B and C at strong wind “cobra start”.
Glider, compression bag, repair material
We recommend the usage of our new fast packing bag ACCEL!
