Impressive performance/weight ratio. Either light or high performing – we were not prepared to settle for this compromise. The IBEX 3 offers both: very lightweight, combined with the performance you would expect from a NOVA wing. The IBEX 3 sets the glide performance standard in the ultralight class. This means the IBEX 3 is a fully-fledged paraglider, which impresses both in performance and in its agile handling.
One wing, three uses. IBEX 1 and 2 were primarily aimed at those looking for a small, light paraglider. The IBEX 3 continues this tradition and offers a lot more: the XXS continues to be a small wing with lots of performance; XS and S (depending on wing loading) are fully-fledged paragliders which climb in thermals and make easy work of gliding. In-between is the hybrid zone. More info on this in the weight-range section. The IBEX 3 caters for a multitude of requirements.
Maximum simplicity. Rough, alpine terrain is incompatible with complicated design concepts. Therefore the IBEX 3 has been made easy to use: the few lines are quick to sort; the mechanically loaded leading edge on the top surface is made of abrasion-resistant 20D cloth; the launch and flying characteristic are incredibly uncomplicated. This makes the IBEX 3 a wing that can be trusted in all eventualities.
The IBEX 3 is wing with a wide scope of applications and target groups. The XXS is tailor-made for experienced pilots (excepted very light pilots) and, depending on the wing-loading, the XS and S are suitable for a large group of pilots. All offer a high degree of passive safety if flown within the recommended take off weight-range. You will find more info on the correct size for you in the weight-range section.
For additional queries, your NOVA dealer will be happy to advise on the correct wing.
The IBEX 3 range:
Please note: The 'pleasure', 'hybrid' and 'fast' ranges are within the recommended take off weight-range. These ranges relate to the weight-range we recommend for a particular use. We recommend that new pilots only fly within the 'pleasure' range.
Everything you need to know about the IBEX 3:
Rapidly changing weather is a latent risk in alpine terrain. So that you can lose height quickly, the IBEX 3 only has 2 A-lines. This allows big 'big ears' and sink rates of around 3 m/s can be achieved.
Pulling and releasing the ears is simple: pull, hold and then release. A quick stab of the brakes, preferably first one side, then the other, speeds up the release of the wing tips.
Big 'big ears' offers a notable safety advantage in alpine terrain.
Every IBEX 3 comes with an innovative Compression Bag. This reduces the volume of the packed wing, protects it from moisture and means it is packed flat, which makes it easier to carry. Pack the wing as small as possible, place it in the Compression Bag, squeeze out the air, close the bag and use the valve to release the remaining air.
The Compression Bag also protects the wing from body sweat, which can harm the coating of the cloth. It is also water proof, which is a valuable feature when undertaking vol bivouac tours.
Please don’t store the wing in the compression bag permanently. For this purpose we provide the conventional pack sack which is also included with the IBEX 3.
Buy a Compression Bag ↗
"Early morning my alarm clock is beeping. I set off for the Thaurer Jochspitze, the Mandlspitze or the Wildangerspitze. I love it when the sun rises from the Tyrol Unterland over the mountain tops and bathes the pastures in a warm, red glow. I record these memories with my camera before I open the wing and glide into the valley to go to work. To me the IBEX is more than just a paraglider. It is the key to my passion – flying mountaineering."
Philipp Medicus
Design & Development
Very light but still durable: Light weight NOVA wings weigh little but are still robust enough to withstand the hard conditions of the mountains. The profiles are made out of durable cloth, so that this highly-stressed component does not deform - like it can with ultra-light material. This means we are able to guarantee consistent flying characteristics.
| Leading edge: | Dominico 20D, 35 g/m2 |
|---|---|
| Top surface: | Dominico 10D, 26 g/m2 |
| Lower sail: | Dominico 10D, 26 g/m2 |
| Profile ribs (suspended): | Dominico 30D Rib, 41g/m2 |
| Profile ribs (unsuspended): | Dominico 10D, 26 g/m2 |
| Main lines: | Liros PPSL 275 / TSL 280 |
| Gallery lines: | Liros PPSL 160 / PPSL 120 / DC60 |
| Brake lines: | Cousin 85 |
| Risers: | Kevlar 12mm |
Every NOVA paraglider comes with a big package of extra services and guarantees. When you buy the wing you get more than just the product1.
During the initial flights the lines are subjected to real loads for the first time. This leads to stretching and shrinking - regardless of which line material is used. During NOVA Trim Tuning² our software analyses how out of trim the glider has become and then calculates the required correction values. Trim Tuning aids safety and increases your flying fun.
The NOVA Full Service is more than just a check. Just like the Trim Tuning, we analyse the line lengths and ensure that the wing is restored to the optimal profile alignment across the whole of the span. Additionally we give the wing a full health check. Our NOVA Full Service gives you confidence in your wing.
If your wing has undergone NOVA Trim Tuning, the date to the next check is extended from two years to three years. The two-year check becomes a three-year check. This allows you to have an extra year of carefree flying. Please note the maximum permitted flying hours in the manual.
As standard, NOVA provides a three year, rather than a two year, guarantee on its paragliders. If your wing has undergone NOVA Trim Tuning and a NOVA Full Service, then we will extend the guarantee for a further year to four years. You get a good feeling flying a NOVA wing.
If you register your wing at myNOVA, it is added to our Quality Assurance Database. In the database - accessed through myNOVA - you can download all the key data about your wing. The database will also assist the person servicing your glider by getting information about your glider at the click of a button. Your glider will be more comprehensively checked.
1 The guarantee and service provision is limited, subject to conditions and not offered to the same extent in all countries. Detailed information is available in our guarantee conditions.
2 This service is included in the purchase price in selected countries. Please contact your dealer for more information.
The IBEX 3 is not only super light: it is greedy for distance too. Below is a list of the best and furthest IBEX 3 flights.
Get yourself added to this list!
NOVA windsock.So you know where the wind is coming from, we have added a NOVA windsock. With a length of approximately 80cm it is large enough for a take-off site.
Compression Bag.The Compression Bag reduces the volume of the wing, protects it from sweat and helps to pack it flatter, which makes carrying it in your rucksack more comfortable.
Repair kit.Everyone hopes it will never happen: a hole or tear in the paraglider. We have included a minor damage repair kit in the right colour for such an eventuality.
Manual.We have enclosed a very detailed manual which contains everything you need to know about your flying equipment. Please study it before flying your gear for the first time.
All rights reserved by the publishers. Thanks for the permission to use.
In the development of the IBEX 3 it was very important to us to make a performance wing that is also light. Despite its low weight it still allows you to have wonderful thermal flights.
The brakes are components relevant to certification - modification can affect the flying characteristics and extreme flight behaviour. Because of this, we strongly advise against any modification of the brake system. It is important that the brake has sufficient travel before it engages. This is also important so that the wing does not brake automatically when the speed bar is used. Furthermore a brake that engages too early affects performance and influences the recovery during incidents, for example during a collapse or when the canopy goes parachutal.
Performance data depends heavily on the drag created by the pilot and this is linked to their seating position and harness type. An aerodynamic harness or seating position can make the difference of one glide ratio point. We at NOVA never determine absolute performance data, instead we make comparisons with reference gliders. For this reason we do not publish performance data.
The way a pilot holds the brake handles is a matter of personal preference - but it does have significant influence on the handling and flying characteristics of the wing. We recommend a half-wrap. You hold the brake handle in your palm and twist it half way around your hand so that the brake line lies between your thumb and forefinger. This shortens the brake travel by approximately 20 centimetres and this has a positive effect on feedback - firstly you directly feel the travel of the brake line and secondly, with the arms positioned higher, it is easier to feel the wing. The exception is of course when gliding or during other phases of the flight when steering with the brake is not necessary. Please note: when changing from no-wrap to half-wrap, the shortened brake travel must be taken into consideration.
Simplicity is our motto. Our wings can be packed using a concertina bag, but it is not essential. You can fold this wing using your preferred method and pack it in our stuff sack. Be careful not to bend the leading edge rods unnecessarily. This is particularly true if the wing is to be stored for longer periods or if it is packed tightly.
Sail cloth, lines and all other components are subjected to rigorous testing before they are used in serial production. We not only test the sail cloth for durability (high porosity or reduced tear resistance through UV damage or wear) but also for mechanical robustness, for example stretching. For quality control purposes we regularly take samples during serial production.
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.
Dry, not packed too tightly and if possible in a space without wide temperature variations - these are the conditions that make our paragliders feel well. You should never store a wing when it is moist. You should also avoid excessive heat, like you would have, for example, in the car. Never remove dirt using chemical detergents and/or brushes.
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.
Please provide all the requested information.
One of our colleagues/local partners will contact you shortly.
Orange