BGD EPIC 2

Technical data

Colours

Standard colours: Ocean, Dune, Forest.

Package

• Paraglider
• Giveaway
• Manual card
• Stickers
• Rucksack
• Repair material
• Stuff sack
• Riser bag
• Compression strap

EPIC 2: La Dolce Vita

The EPIC 2 is very safe and reassuring, accessible to low-airtime pilots but with handling and performance that experienced pilots will love.

We’ve improved the launch behaviour – the wing comes up smoothly and easily without overshooting. In flight, it’s slightly faster than its predecessor (+1km/h at trim, +3km/h top speed) and has improved glide. It’s also a great climber, especially in weak lift.

Long brake travel means you won’t accidentally stall or spin, but it is precise on the brakes with direct, playful handling. The EPIC 2 is safe and reassuring in strong air, but does not hide the bumps. At BGD we think feedback is really important: the wing tells the pilot about the conditions, and the pilot can anticipate and avoid collapses.

Like on the BASE 2, the new EPIC 2 risers have a B/C steering system for piloting the wing while pushing the bar and flying at speed.

Features

• B/C Speed Riser
• ALULA Simulation Software
• Chord cut billow (CCB)
• Progressive stability
• Single Shark Plastic

Target

A safe, fun wing that’s a joy to fly. We’ve improved the performance while maximising safety, and the EPIC 2 is a versatile wing. It’s perfect for first cross-countries or a go-anywhere glider for weekend pilots. And, like the original Epic, it’s a great tool for getting to grips with your first freestyle moves. The test team can confirm it’s loads of fun for wingovers, SATs, heli’s and the like.

Bruce’s notes

The EPIC has been a very successful Low B wing. It was important to us to keep the accessibility and handling it was known and loved for, while improving performance. It has great glide and climbing ability, and a bit more speed than the original.

While it might look quite similar at a glance, design-wise a lot has changed. It now has 45 cells and an aspect ratio of 5.2, both slightly higher than on the original EPIC. The internal supporting structure is more intricate, but despite all this the glider weighs the same, 4.9kg for the M. The riser set is new, and the lines are a mixture of unsheathed higher up, and sheathed at the bottom.

The Epic 2 has short rods in the leading edge and none in the trailing edge, so it is easy to pack. The single-piece leading edge plastics are made of different materials: stiffer purlin in the central section with softer, more flexible supports towards the tips. It’s a light, elegant and effective method for shaping the leading edge.

As on the BASE 2 and CURE 2, there is a double skin on the lower surface of the leading edge. The internal pressure of the wing pushes on this lower skin which helps pressure it to maintain a clean and stable leading edge.

Features

ALULA Simulation Software

The future of glider design depends largely on simulations. Instead of designing and producing prototypes one by one, BGD unique in-house structural / aero simulation program, ALULA, enables BGD to accurately simulate hundreds of virtual prototypes. They test over 200 virtual prototypes for each paraglider, using 50 million iterations of the structural / aero calculations.

B/C Speed Steering

The risers are equipped with a new ‘speed riser’. It attaches the back of the speed system to the front of the C-line steering handle. This balances the load on the C-steering handle, making the C-steering system simple and light to use. Because the force is on the dimensionally stable Kevlar-reInforced riser and not the pulley, the glider stays in trim.

Progressive stability

Using ALULA, BGD gliders are designed to have a stable and solid center with progressively softer tips. This teaches pilots to predict and avoid deflations and stay aware of the air.

Triple finger diagonals

Triple Finger Diagonals create a more solid and durable wing. Across the whole chord of the profile, three-piece diagonal supports pass through holes in the ribs. They ensure structural integrity by avoiding the cloth being loaded in the bias direction. This is particularly important near the trailing edge where the profile is thin and shallower diagonal ribs supporting high loads.

BGD Feedback

Gliders that talk are safer. Safer gliders make pilots perform better. Better performing pilots fly further. Further flying pilots are happier pilots. BGD Feedback produces happier pilots!

Chord cut billow (CCB)

Chord Cut Billow technology has been developed to improve the form friction, glider stability and overall performance of BGD paragliders. Two seams run chord-wise across the top panels of the leading edge. They accommodate the panel ballooning that happens when the wing is inflated. Without CCB, up to five centimeters of excess material is created on the sides of an inflated flat panel when it bends over a wing profile. This results in wrinkles. Chord Cut Billow technology removes this excess material and the 3D panel has fewer ripples and improved rib profile shape and stability.

Multi-Plastics

By using different sizes of stiff black Perlon® and flexible orange plastic in specific places, they have optimised the rigidity and softness of the wing along the span to achieve optimal progressive stability.

Snap Locks

Snap Locks are lightweight, compact attachments that connect the brakes to the risers. A small focused magnet inside the catch and an internal locking system hold the handle in place, releasing only if the handles are pulled down towards the pilot. This unique design feature means the handles don’t fall off while kiting, packing, or performing manoeuvres. The Snap Lock system solves many of the problems associated with press studs and magnets.

Integrated Line Layout

The line layout of BGD gliders is fully integrated into the wing design. Sail and lines are designed together, holistically. The cell widths and the internal straps that transfer the load though the sail are all designed according to the line layout. Even the panel shaping is matched with the line layout though detailed CAD simulation. The result is simple: fewer lines and stronger, faster, safer gliders.

Single shark plastic

The EPIC 2 is the first wing where we have used a single strand of plastic reinforcement wire for the leading edge, instead of two pieces. It reduces weight, simplifies the design and maintains a solid leading edge improving launch and giving a longer brake range.

Double skin leading edge

Double-skin leading edge. The lower surface of the leading edge is folded over on itself to produce a double skin just below the opening of the glider. This is inflated from behind by the internal pressure of the wing giving a cleaner and more stable leading edge.

Multi-reefing system

An intricate brake reefing system reefs both symmetrically and asymmetrically, to give the glider really sharp handling and a neat, clean trailing edge.

Materials