Three-Liner | Cells: 33 | Aspect Ratio: 4.4 | Weight: 2.1 kg - Size 17 (EN/LTF A)

DOUBLESKIN - Minimalist hike & fly

The DOUBLESKIN is the lightest paraglider in the world* with top and under surface (2.1 kg / size 17). It has a very small pack size and is a delight in the air thanks to better aerodynamics compared to a single-surface wing. With the DOUBLESKIN walking up is as enjoyable as flying and landing!

(*by same flat surface area, with EN-certification, with the Ultralight Riser and without taking single-skin wings into account. As: 06/19)

One for all. One for all. The DOUBLESKIN has been designed to allow a flying experience without any compromises. Due to the light construction it combines the advantages of a single-surface wing with the optimal flying characteristics of a glider with an under surface. Ultra-light fabrics and a highly weight optimised yet complex internal structure complete the package. The DOUBLESKIN gives you the opportunity to travel super light and enjoy your hike up the mountain – always in search for the next take off. Tip: Pilots with a take off weight between 75-90 kg may fly the DOUBLESKIN in size 17 within the extended weight range as a dynamic EN/LTF B wing.

Every gram counts. Size 17 (55 - 90 kg Take-off Weight) weighs only 2.1 kg. Together with the MONTIS harness (320 gram), the DOUBLESKIN is an ideal base for a weight optimised Hike & Fly kit. The complex internal structure, including mini-ribs, vector-tape and the high number of cells, the wing has also an excellent performance and stability. Instead of our Light Risers you can choose our minimalistic Ultralight Risers at check out and carry another 60 grams less.

Into the Wind. The DOUBLESKIN is exceptional at maintaining directional stability as well as a good glide ratio allowing it to deliver when you are in ‘need for speed’. Here at NOVA we regard this as one of the safety features of the wing, since the wind does not necessarily adhere to the forecast on your hike & fly location. The DOUBLESKIN is a pleasure to fly in thermic conditions, thanks to its intuitive handling. Pilots who are looking for a super light yet playful wing, and who wish to travel the world, or simply complete a hike and fly challenge at their local flying site, find in the DOUBLESKIN the perfect companion for their next adventure.

Super relaxed. The short lines of the DOUBLESKIN make it much easier to spread the wing and launch, in particular in rough terrain - it simply requires less open space. Thanks to useful holding-pins the glider will stay in place even on very steep or snow-covered take-offs. All the main lines, stabilo lines and brake lines are sheathed and colour coded to increase durability and to facilitate take off preparations. 

Video

Pilot requirements

The DOUBLESKIN (EN/LTF A) features a high degree of passive safety (Flat Aspect Ratio: 4.4) but due to its agility, excellent performance and enjoyable thermaling characteristics, it is always ready to turn a top to bottom flight into an XC round trip. Pilots who enjoy the odd wing-over will enjoy the short and precise brake travel in combination with the benign reactions of the DOUBLESKIN. Pilots who enjoy an even more dynamic handling will benefit from the extended weight range of the size 17 wing – with a take off weight between 75 and 90 kg the wing is certified as EN/LTF B. Despite being mainly EN-A rated - depending on the total take off weight - we did not design this wing as a school glider. The Ultralight Risers require a certain routine in order to avoid riser twists when clipping in and the ultra-light fabric may be more prone to getting damaged during extensive ground-handling sessions. For those who wish to embark on their pilot training, our PRION or the light weight all-rounder IBEX are a more appropriate choice.

Limited Edition – Theo de Blic

From Mid-August 2023 we offer a Theo de Blic Special Edition – limited to 50 pieces and in Theo's favourite colour combination. The limited edition is available in the two sizes 17 and 20.

Theo de Blic says: "I remember when Richard Gallon's signature wing was released. At that time, I could not imagine that there would ever be a wing with my signature. But now, 16 years later, thanks to NOVA, I have ‘my’ colours and my signature on a wing. And not on just any wing, but on the DOUBLESKIN, a great Hike & Fly glider. I have to admit, I’m a little proud, but at the same time I feel under pressure: hopefully 'my' colours will meet the taste of others pilots as well..."

For the colour graphic, check below.

With the DOUBLESKIN from Mount Everest

At noon on 15 May 2022, South African Pierre Carter paraglided from South Col (7.950 metres) on Mount Everest and landed near the settlement of Gorak Shep. The 56-year-old adventurer is the first paraglider pilot to take off from Everest with permission from the Nepalese authorities. So far, only three teams have been able to fly from Mount Everest.

Read the full story here.

Review NOVA DOUBLESKIN in "Thermik” magazine

 The Thermik editors have tested our DOUBLESKIN in the issue 3/2020. Their conclusion: "The Doubleskin has not only heralded the new NOVA-wing design, but has successfully continued the company's internal history of hike and fly wings. Other than originally intended, it did not become a single surface wing. But with the Doubleskin 17 you are - concerning weight and packing size - very close to a single surface paraglider. A very positive surprise was the great thermal behaviour! That is why the Doubleskin is much more than just a pure hike and fly wing. As an all-rounder, e.g. when travelling, the Doubleskin can score points wherever playful ease in a small package is required.“

The complete review (PDF in German) can be found here. Thanks for the kind permission to share, Thermik Magazine!

Technical data

    17 20 23
Number of cells   33 33 33
Projected span m 7,6 8,1 8,8
Projected area 17,1 20 23,5
Projected aspect ratio   3,3 3,3 3,3
Flat span m 9,4 10,1 11,1
Flat area 20 23 27,5
Flat aspect ratio   4,4 4,4 4,4
Line length m 5,05 5,5 6,05
Total line length m 214 230 253
Max. chord m 2,6 2,8 3
Min. chord m 1,1 1,2 1,3
Weight kg 2,1 2,4 2,8
Recommended take off weight kg 55-75/ 75-90 75-105 90-120
Certification (EN/LTF)   EN-A/EN-B EN-A EN-A

*Weight may vary up to 50g due to slight variations of the fabric and due to a variation of the fabrics moisture content.

“FLAT SURFACE AREA” – what does that mean?

In a nutshell the flat surface area is the area of your paraglider when spread out on the ground. In contrast the projected area equals the area of the shadow your wing would cast with the sun standing vertically on the horizon. The projected surface area of the DOUBLESKIN is roughly 85% of the flat surface area by the way. Unfortunately, there is no standardised definition of those areas. E.g. some ballooning effects will be considered differently depending on the design software used by different manufacturers. The definition of the flat surface area is generally better defined, so this is why we use the flat surface area to compare the weight of a wing to other gliders. Generally, a wing with a larger surface area will climb better in thermals. It also allows slower speeds and that can be an advantage in certain take-off and landing situations.

Short and concise

Weight optimised fabric. All fabrics are of the highest standard. We have tested all materials with regards to resistance against aging (porosity, tear strength, UV and abrasive wear) and mechanical resistance e.g. stretch resistance. For quality assurance purposes we also test random samples out of the serial production in regular intervals. The DOUBLESKIN features the lightest fabrics on the market which also shines due to very small pack size and high UV resistance.

Mini Ribs. Mini Ribs increase the number of cells at the rear of the wing and produce an aerodynamically optimised trailing edge. The DOUBLESKIN mini ribs are particularly short – again, in order to keep the glider as light as possible.

Top-Surface Vector-Tape. The vector tape reduces the kink that is created when brake is applied. The result is an improved climbing performance and better handling characteristics. On the DOUBLESKIN the vector-tape passes just behind the, for weight optimisation extra short, mini ribs.

Risers with less weight. The Ultralight Risers sit comfortable in your hands at launch and are, like the rest of the glider, optimised to reduce the overall weight of your kit. Like with all ultra-light risers, we suggest to doublecheck for riser twists when connecting the wing to your harness. Alternatively to the Light Risers, you can choose the Ultralight Risers when purchasing the DOUBLESKIN.

Holding-Pins. Small loops on the top surface of the wing serve as mounts for wooden Holding-Pins in order to easily attach the wing onto slippery and steep terrain - e.g. on snow – this will prevent the wing from sliding down after it has been laid out before take-off. The Holding-Pins are self-releasing and will come out of the ground automatically when launching. Please consult the DOUBLESKIN handbook for a detailed description of the correct use of the Holding-Pins.

Colours

Lime
Orange
Theo de Blic – Limited Edition

This 3D model will assist you to see the approximate appearance of a custom colour. But please be aware: the actual colours may vary from the 3D model. For any queries, please contact your NOVA Partner or email us directly at info@nova.eu.

Materials

Service

Scope of delivery

FAQ

  • Avoid UV rays: minimise its exposure to the sun!
  • Store the wing open or loosely folded, dry, in a ventilated dark place.
  • Store the wing loosely folded, in a dry, dark place.
  • Never store a damp wing.
  • Don't drag the wing across the ground (especially the leading edge and rods).
  • Avoid sand and dust.
  • Never clean it with a hard brush or detergents.
  • If it is dirty, use a soft sponge and lots of water.
  • Allow a damp or wet glider to dry completely before storing.
  • Keep the wing away from acids and acid vapours (car battery).

During the initial flights the lines are first subjected to load. This load induces a small degree of stretching and shrinking. These are not associated with the line manufacturers or the quality of workmanship - in the factory all NOVA paragliders are trimmed and pre-stretched to within a very low tolerance. To adjust this stretching or shrinking, we recommend that the wing is taken for NTT (NOVA Trim Tuning) after ten to twenty flights - after one year at the very latest. Generally, the line lengths remain constant after the first ten to twenty hours. To make full use of the NTT, NOVA encourages all pilots to have their wing checked after ten to twenty flying hours.

The best person to contact is your authorised NOVA dealer. If there are no paragliding schools in your country, contact the NOVA importer. A list of our dealers and distribution network can be found here. If you have specific questions you are welcome to contact us directly.

The very light cloth is a little more sensitive to damage than a heavier paraglider cloth. Unnecessary mechanical stress (dragging the wing over the ground, intensive ground handling) and unnecessary UV exposure should be avoided. In general, wings should always be folded when dry and loosely stored in the glider bag. All NOVA paragliders – whether light or standard – are covered by our comprehensive guarantee package.

The higher the wing-loading, the more dynamic it feels. This means the wing will respond quickly and energetically to all inputs. This can be used deliberately, e. g. for maneuvers like a barrel roll. However, for exactly this reason, gliders with very high wing-loading are not suitable for beginners. If the wing-loading is low, the paraglider reacts more slowly and less dynamically to control inputs. The best flying feeling is achieved by a wing-loading suitable for the individual take off weight, as shown by the weight range of each glider which is specified in the certification.

We recommend laying out the glider in the normal arc way, making sure the leading edge is open and the lines carefully sorted. When taking off in rough terrain, it is also worth checking that there are no roots or similar that can catch the lines/canopy when inflating, or that there are any tripping hazards directly in the pilot's take off path.

If in doubt, we always recommend using the Light Risers instead of the Ultralight Risers. As with all lightweight risers, when attaching them a double check is recommended to avoid any twists. The Light Risers are much more straight forward and only weigh an additional 60 grams.

The IBEX 4 can be used for instruction and is therefore made from robuster materials. During your training, if you want to buy your own glider with a small pack size that can be used universally later, the IBEX 4 is the perfect wing for you. Those who then want to focus on hike & fly and prefer equipment with as little weight as possible, may want to switch to the DOUBLESKIN.

The pins can be attached to the specially provided tabs of the wing using the loops provided (the exact instructions can be found in the manual of the glider.) If used correctly, the pins are pulled out of the ground or the snow when taking off and they fly into the valley attached to their loops. If one still get lost, it is no drama - our holding pins are made of wood and therefore biodegradable. It is very important to remove the pins when packing to avoid any damage to the glider.

Test flight
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