The Gradient Avax is a Czech single-place, paraglider designed and produced by Gradient sro of Prague. Introduced in the early 2000s, it remained in production in 2016 as the Avax XC5.
Design and development
The Avax was designed as a competition glider.
The design has progressed through five generations of models, the Avax, Avax 2, 3, 4 and 5, each improving on the last. The models are each named for their approximate wing area in square metres.
The Avax XC5 employs a unit cell structure that uses a combination of two non-carrying ribs with double diagonal segmented ribs attached to the wing's top surface. The wing trailing edge employs mini-ribs to maintain a smooth profile.
Avax RSE 24
Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 11.97 m (39.3 ft) span wing has a wing area of 22.62 m
2 (243.5 sq ft), 73 cells and the aspect ratio is 6.38:1. The pilot weight range is 70 to 85 kg (154 to 187 lb).
Avax RSE 26
Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its 12.67 m (41.6 ft) span wing has a wing area of 25.17 m
2 (270.9 sq ft), 73 cells and the aspect ratio is 6.38:1. The pilot weight range is 85 to 105 kg (187 to 231 lb). The glider model is AFNOR Competition certified.
Avax RSE 28
Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 13.20 m (43.3 ft) span wing has a wing area of 27.31 m
2 (294.0 sq ft), 73 cells and the aspect ratio is 6.38:1. The pilot weight range is 95 to 120 kg (209 to 265 lb).
Avax XC5 24
Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 12.2 m (40.0 ft) span wing has a wing area of 21.4 m
2 (230 sq ft), 66 cells and the aspect ratio is 6.96:1. The takeoff weight range is 70 to 85 kg (154 to 187 lb). The glider model is EN/LTF-D certified.
Avax XC5 26
Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its 12.79 m (42.0 ft) span wing has a wing area of 23.5 m
2 (253 sq ft), 66 cells and the aspect ratio is 6.96:1. The takeoff weight range is 82 to 97 kg (181 to 214 lb). The glider model is EN/LTF-D certified.
Avax XC5 28
Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 13.38 m (43.9 ft) span wing has a wing area of 25.7 m
2 (277 sq ft), 66 cells and the aspect ratio is 6.96:1. The takeoff weight range is 95 to 118 kg (209 to 260 lb). The glider model is EN/LTF-D certified.
Data from Bertrand
General characteristics
Crew: one
Wingspan: 12.67 m (41 ft 7 in)
Wing area: 25.17 m2 (270.9 sq ft)
Aspect ratio: 6.38:1
Performance
Maximum speed: 60 km/h (37 mph; 32 kn)
Rate of sink: 1.0 m/s (200 ft/min)
