Some of you asked for a PARAKITE!
So I was calculating a lot: doing CFD simulations and FSI analysis.
Finally we built 3 prototypes: everyone of them was good!
Finally we were choosing the best one, which is the most simple and radical one to be produced in series:
The ROWDY is a revolution in simplicity and efficiency!
We see the main market in a low level wing for everyone!
Despite the fact that the aspect ratio is low and very easy, the performance is great, cause the ROWDY is a clean 2 liner with single A line (no double A as nearly all 2 liners)!
Because if the very reduced rigging, the line drag is extremely low.
When it comes to speed gliding, the drag is what matters!
The speed / brake system is super reduced, as you have no floating B pulley!
-you only have 2 risers!
Of course the ROWDY has out new Nitinol technology with Neopren padding in the nose for extra robustness.
For the hard usage on the beach, the ROWDY has a super efficient sand drainage system on the trailing edge.
Not every seed you plant in the ground germinates immediately. Sometimes it takes a while before you see the first sprout and can eventually harvest the fruit.
I have been designing kites for over 25 years now. The ROWDY now impressively demonstrates what I have learned along the way!
Thanks to Mike Küng who pushed me to do a parakite!
Hannes Papesh
The secret of the ROWDY is it’s special airfoil! It is different to normally used airfoils in parakites or kites in general.
It is the result of many years of theoretical simulations and practical experience.
The key features are the extreme high statical stiffness: giving the ROWDY the possibility to be a 2 liner with a single A suspension and a crazy big distance from the A to the B loop.
-and the very high span between collapse and stall. In contrast to other concepts, the ROWDY stalls extremely late.
-and collapses nearly never!
| ROWDY | |||||
| size | 16 | 19 | 22 | 25 | |
| number of cells | 40 | 40 | 40 | 40 | |
| projected span | m | 6,79 | 7,4 | 7,96 | 8,49 |
| projected area | m² | 13,57 | 16,1 | 18,64 | 21,19 |
| projected aspect ratio | 3,4 | 3,4 | 3,4 | 3,4 | |
| flat span | m | 8,65 | 9,43 | 10,14 | 10,82 |
| flat area | m² | 15,88 | 18,86 | 21,83 | 24,81 |
| flat aspect ratio | 4,72 | 4,72 | 4,72 | 4,72 | |
| line length | m | 5,28 | 5,75 | 6,19 | 6,6 |
| maximum chord | m | 2,28 | 2,49 | 2,68 | 2,85 |
| minimum chord | m | 0,54 | 0,59 | 0,64 | 0,68 |
| weight | kg | 3,78 | 4,17 | 4,74 | 5,18 |
| standard weight range | kg | 50-110 | 50-110 | 60-110 | 65-120 |
| certification (EN/LTF) | 926-1 | ||||
| material | MJ 32, Skytex 40 | ||||
| risers | R15 | ||||
| riser length | mm | 720 | 720 | 720 | 720 |
| speedway | mm | 180 | 180 | 180 | 180 |
| price * | € | 3490 | 3590 | 3690 | 3790 |
A slightly advanced beginner should be able to master this course on the first attempt:
The new Neopren 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.
Because of the superb form stability of Nitinol and the optimised 3 section 3D shaping, the lift section of the ROWDY airfoil is super smooth.
Because of the fact, that the ROWDY is a clean 2 liner (only A and B lines), the riser system is extremely reduced and simple!
Mike Küng demonstrating the wide limits of the ROWDY.
Professional purchasing advice, customer support, and equipment maintenance are just as indispensable as competent training and further education. Only the existing structure within the paragliding community can meet these demands.
The service interval is as usual 2 years from the first flight. Please fill in your first flight in the type table. On the base of our experience with the lines material mix, there is no trim tuning necessary: the trim does normally not change significantly.
Photos and Videos on this page by Nina Colditz and Mike Küng
