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PeterP said..
I've been fortunate enough to form part of the Team that has been testing these wings. The new Hookipa LE material has allowed Freewing/Airush/Starboard to make the lightest wing on the market without any compromises (except perhaps on price, which is still going to come in well below Aluula).
Once you fly a wing this light you will not want to go back to anything close to traditional weight........and it has improved both low-end and top end, the 4m range is ridiculous.
The secret is the extra high pressure that the Hookipa allows for, whilst shaving off weight, apparently one was inflated to 40+Psi before it blew and I think in the end, the recommended pressure will be 10-12Psi. Adding the Loadframe will also extend life of wing considerably as has been proven on their kites for years.
I think they are still debating if they should bring out a version with windows as some customers want this, but if you want the ultimate feeling of lightness, the no-window version is the raw, no-compromise, solution. Transitions and flagging out is just so effortless.
Downwinding is as close to having nothing in your hand, as you'll get without tossing the wing.
Lots of questions and points to clarify!
40 psi is setting a benchmark - do you use different variants of bladders or can you use a standard?
I assume this was a max load test by the engineers, but then why only 10-12. Why not 20 as a industry leader?Are they stitching the leading edge? Or can they negate bladders entirely with plastic welded seams ?
If all the energy is going into focusing on leading edge, why is the canopy still cloth that will stretch in 6 months of use? Why put the energy into an ultralight weight leading edge of durability is negated in the canopy? Does that infer the leading edge is not durable?
Well aware you're just a team rider
@PeterP. If you don't have the answers no stress.