The name ARCUS generates high expectations. It is linked inseparably with SWING and stands for a revolutionary paraglider design, which has given many thousands of paraglider pilots a safe and easy introduction into our captivating sport over a period of nearly 20 years.

The ARCUS RS, with its particular features and stylish appearance, joins this successful low-end B-tradition. Innovative and redesigned, it departs from the well-worn paths of paraglider development and provides completely new impetus for our sport.

The unique new partition system known as RAST now has additional valves, and the ARCUS RS is an impressive example of how it operates.

 

Launch becomes a completely stress-free experience – thanks to RAST!

 

The canopy initially inflates at the front along the leading edge, while the rear section of the canopy is still empty. This is characteristic of the RAST system and creates a self-stabilising, reflex-profile.

There are a number of advantages to this:

1. The front part of the canopy fills very quickly, starting from the centre. This leads to the glider rising seamlessly and harmoniously without any tendency to overshoot.
2. To date, there haven’t been any cases of our ARCUS RS test pilots being launched unintentionally, even in strong thermal conditions.
3. The middle of the glider will not collapse even if the take-off run is very impulsive, as the entire front half of the glider promptly fills with air.
4. Any tendency to overshoot is significantly diminished even in a tailwind. There’s no longer any need for pilots to run after the paraglider downhill. Instead they can take some time for a controlled launch.

 

The self-stabilising profile with RAST in the filling phase on launch. This gives the pilot safety and control even in difficult launch conditions!

 

RAST means that the ARCUS RS is pleasantly damped and extremely stable during flight

 

It is in turbulent air that RAST really puts its strengths into play, effectively stabilising the canopy and gently calming turbulent air. This makes the ARCUS RS extremely stable and forgiving, which results in noticeably improved precision and comfort during flight, and consequently also more control and better performance for the pilot.

Typical for RAST is that, as weight loading increased, the operation of the multi-chamber system during flight intensified.

 

RAST effectively counters large-scale canopy deformation

 

With the ARCUS RS, RAST ensures resistance to large-scale collapses and stabilises the trailing edge. Collapses are extremely delayed or prevented, without the pilot actively steering. If the glider ever does collapse, there is much less deformation because of the higher internal pressure in the canopy’s rear section, and it does not spread right through to the trailing edge. The canopy reacts in a gentle and controlled manner and does not shoot forward much.

 

Front stalls generally do not go beyond the integrated ‘wall’ and RAST also counters the dreaded rosette. The air remaining in the wing reduces to an absolute minimum any tendency towards dangerous line-overs and the pilot thus gets feedback through the brakes even in difficult situations. The extremely rapid re-inflation means that there is very little loss of altitude if there is any problem with canopy stability, as the canopy does not completely empty.

 

Tip:

f the pilot flies actively, then the pressure in the rear section can be increased again by braking, so that resistance increases further even against harmless collapses.

 

You will be impressed by the ARCUS RS’s precision and speed both in thermalling and on cross-country flights

 

 

The trailing edge of the ARCUS RS, stabilised with RAST, benefits the pilot in both thermalling and on cross-country flights:

• no loss of performance by setting up the trailing edge in rough thermals
• the response to brake input is precise and shows no delay
• total control and manoeuvrability in thermal updrafts
• markedly increasing control pressure before the stall point
• directional stability and efficiency of a level previously seen only in gliders with a higher classification and many cells or additional reinforcement
• above-average stability at maximum speed

 

And if you’re ever needing to get down more quickly than up...

…all of the usual rapid descent methods can be easily flown without high G-forces affecting the body in any way.

 

These features are all an invitation to experimentation and further development. Be inspired by a test flight on the ARCUS RS and experience the new RAST feeling!   test fly the ARCUS RS