The fundamental fascination of paragliding is based not only on the flying possibilities of the aircraft but above all on the ultra-compact dimensions when packed up. As a human being, you can always have your wings with you: a very attractive idea that “inspires” your imagination.
The SOLA UL has its roots in the ultra-safe and forgiving concept of the SOLA, which is perfectly damped around all axes.
These features made it possible to make the wing very small without making it too demanding for a wide target group.
-and that even with a uniquely small area you can pass the complete certification including flight tests.
The unique concept of the SOLA is based on a very stable center airfoil and a clearly different “handling section” in the wingtips. Moreover there are some special technical tricks applied.
To redefine the limits, the lightest materials were used: D10 cloth and 0.7mm Nithinol rods.
The combination of the unique SOLA concept and these materials create the basis for the outstanding position of SOLA UL.
When we started paragliding in the mid-80s, the equipment was still very small. At that time, however, there were no protectors or rescue equipment and the wing performance was very modest.
In later years the “flight package” became quite large, heavy and unwieldy.
Only through the use of new materials and technologies paragliding returned to its roots: you carry the wing up the mountain with ease, it carries you back down to the valley.
Hike&fly became a boom and fascinates more and more people.
The performance potential of a modern paragliding concept means you have a very large radius of action. A wing like the SOLA UL is very small, but offers very good glide at higher speeds, which means you can also progress against the wind or through downwind zones: a very important safety aspect in high alpine regions.
Hannes Papesh
Following the standard in the miniwing section of paragliding, we are naming the SOLA UL on the base if it’s flat surface.
Here some remarkable technical details of the SOLA UL:
The SOLA UL 14 is able to carry 67 times more as their weight (inside certification range: load and flight test)!
The max weight inside certification range of the SOLA UL 16 is 2.1 times the min weight.
| SOLA UL | ||||
| size | 12 | 14 | 16 | |
| number of cells | 36 | 36 | 36 | |
| projected span | m | 6,01 | 6,49 | 6,94 |
| projected area | m² | 10,4 | 12,15 | 13,86 |
| projected aspect ratio | 3,47 | 3,47 | 3,47 | |
| flat span | m | 7,51 | 8,12 | 8,68 |
| flat area | m² | 12 | 14,03 | 16 |
| flat aspect ratio | 4,7 | 4,7 | 4,7 | |
| line length | m | 4,59 | 4,96 | 5,3 |
| maximum chord | m | 1,99 | 2,15 | 2,29 |
| minimum chord | m | 0,49 | 0,53 | 0,56 |
| weight | kg | 1,39 | 1,56 | 1,72 |
| certified weight range | kg | 55-90 | 55-105 | 55-115 |
| certification (EN/LTF) | D | D | D | |
| material | Dokdo D10 / Skytex 27 | |||
| risers | R13 (3) | |||
| riser length | mm | 500 | 500 | 500 |
| speedway | mm | 150 | 150 | 150 |
Because of the extreme safety level of the SOLA concept, the SOLA UL is offering a huge weight range!
The min certified weight is limited to 55kg by available test pilots: in practical safety it would be lower.
We may find someone who can test and demonstrate it later.
The max weight is extremely high.
You can have 115kg on the SOLA UL 16!
Of course you can do thermal flights with all sizes and wing loading: you may experience the ability of the SOLA UL to make flat and supertight turns to climb in narrow thermal cores!
Don’t be afraid of the small area! Even the 12 is still pretty easy to fly!
The SOLA UL is delivered with the new developped super light Dyneema riser R13.
It has around 100g per pair incl brake handles!
Easy through start with the SOLA UL
