The performance featherweight (EN/LTF A-C)

By mountaineers – for mountaineers

Lightweight, high performing, uncomplicated: the IBEX 3 is an ultralight wing (from 2.5kg) made by mountaineers for mountaineers. The IBEX 3 XXS is aimed at pilots who appreciate a small wing with a lot of performance; the IBEX 3 XS and S are fully-fledged thermalling wings (EN/LTF A).

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.

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Requirements

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.

Weight-ranges

The IBEX 3 range:

  • Pleasure – the optimal weight-range for recreational pilots. In the pleasure range the IBEX 3 offers a high degree of passive safety and convinces with a very good climb rate. The wing loading is equivalent to the one recommend for our standard paragliders. The pleasure range is also suitable for new pilots.
  • Hybrid – more speed, more agility but still good climbs in thermals. Perfect for those who want more speed and agility but who do not wish to compromise on climbing in thermals. Higher speed can be useful in strong winds. The hybrid range is not suitable for new pilots.
  • Fast – perfect for those looking for a fast, light wing with good performance. The fast range is reserved for experienced pilots who can handle the agility of small wings. These pilots can enjoy a nimble, playful wing.

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.

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.

Useful information

Everything you need to know about the IBEX 3:

  • The Dominico 10D sailcloth (26 g/m2) is made from thin, tightly weaved threads. This makes the cloth strong and also very durable.
  • The top surface of the leading edge is under tension and is therefore made from 20D cloth (35 g/m2).
  • Simplicity is our motto: few lines; all main lines are unsheathed; groundhandling as well as flying characteristics are designed for best possible glider control.
  • one little tug and the wing inflates: hardly any of our gliders launch as easily as the IBEX 3. Good inflation behaviour is essential in the mountains where conditions can be difficult.
  • the IBEX 3 is ultralight, but not too flimsy: the wing is robust enough for use in the mountains; internally it is constructed for durability and the light risers offer complete control.
  •  by mountaineers – for mountaineers: the IBEX 3 is a fully-fledged paraglider which has been designed to meet the needs of flying hikers and mountaineers. We live in the mountains, love hike & fly and are very motivated to have the best possible wing in our own rucksack and above us.
  • With 2.5kg (XXS), 3kg (XS) and 3.5kg (S) the IBEX 3 is ultralight but its performance makes it unique in the ultralight paraglider class. Either light or high performing – we were not prepared to settle for this compromise. The IBEX 3 offers both.

Big 'big ears'

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.

Compression Bag

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  ↗

The IBEX experience

Impressions

"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

Visit Philipp’s photo stream at Flickr  ↗

Features

  • Taut: the cell openings of the IBEX 3.
  • Shackles instead of softlinks offer more precision and allow the wing to be retrimmed.
  • Low-friction rings are used on the brakes as well as the speed system.
  • Clever: the speed system.
  • A red line at the back of the C-riser helps to avoid twisted risers.
  • Taut: the cell openings of the IBEX 3.
  • Shackles instead of softlinks offer more precision and allow the wing to be retrimmed.

MONTIS+

Add a MONTIS+, our hike and fly harness, to your IBEX 3.

Colours

Orange

There are no customised colours available for the IBEX 3.

Technologie

Dane techniczne

Materiały

Materiały

XC

Scope of delivery

Reviews

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FAQ

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.

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