British Champs - Newcomer winner
Congratulations to Sebastian Ospina for winning the 'newcomer' trophy in the 2010 British Championship.
Congratulations Judith! Our newest Axis UK team member Judith Mole, flew her Vega II to literally the very edge of the country to take the first placed EN-B glider prize in the UK XC league 2010.
Judith finished 35th overall in the league which attracted over 200 participants.
Judith
also flew the longest flight of the year on an EN-B glider (123km) just running out of land 2km before breaking the UK womens distance record.
(updated: 9 February 2011)
New Colours for 2011: We have a new colour range for 2011 :)
Custom colours are also available at extra cost.
(updated: 9 February 2011)
Venus III - into a new dimension! The Venus III has evolved from our highly successful competition glider the Mercury '08 and shows the same friendly handling that made the Mercury such a popular glider choice with both cross-country and competition pilots.
The Venus III is a 3-line concept with similar line consumption to our Mercury III.
The combination of unsheated Liros Dyneema and Cousin Vectraline give the Venus III an impressive reduction in drag when compared to the Venus II with consequent increase in speed and glide.
Performance will be at the top of the EN-D, LTF2-3 class.
Preliminary tests with our latest 6.95AR protos are showing that Venus III will fit easily into the END, LTF2-3 category with performance beyond the currents levels within the class;
Glide ratio : 10.5,
Min.sink : 0.85 m/s,
Max speed : 63km/h.
Venus III will be available in 5 sizes from 60kg-145kg.
More here
Test video here (updated: 2 November 2010)
Axis Vega III - En-C and LTF2 The long awaited Vega III is now certified.
Whilst we know many people use the 'numbers game' as a basis for glider comparison, we believe that comfort in flight equates to success. In keeping with our design philosophy we decided to work to an aspect ratio that isn't pushed too high. We wanted to produce another cross country glider that pilots feel secure flying wherever they fly, in whatever conditions. The Vega III handling is intuitive and comfortable. Feedback through the brakes and risers is precise and informative. Performance is 100% useable throughout the speed range.
More here
Video here (updated: 1 November 2010)
Axis success 'Down Under' Congratulations to Mark Graham flying an En-B Vega II S who won the Sports class ( En-C and above) category in the Manilla XC Open and was placed 5th in the overall ranking. Mark flew 246km during the 1st task and followed that up with 2 more 100km+ flights during the week.
Overall results here
Sports class results here
XC Open website here (updated: 15 February 2010)
Axis success in South America Congratulations to Venezuelan Axis team pilots Alex Popow ( Mercury III ) and Camila Antonorsi ( Mercury 09 ). Alex won the Placivel Open just before christmas and pulled off some spectacularly fast flying during the Roldanillo Pre World Cup in Colombia last week. Camila finished top of the womens ranking in Roldanillo with an overall 25th position and some impressive goal flights on hard tasks..
(updated: 26 January 2010)
Biggest FAI triangle flight in India We are very pleased to report than Vijay Soni on his Axis Venus II has made a new Indian national record for the longest FAI triangle, with a distance of 100.20 km.
This is the longest FAI triangle flown in India by any pilot either indian or foreigner.
Congratulations Vijay!
See the flight on Leonardo : here
(updated: 26 January 2010)
Axis Mountain Masterclass 2010 / 2011 The Mountain Masterclasses are back!
After the success of last years Masterclasses in Mayrhofen and Annecy we will be continuining the adventure in 2 exciting new venues.
Firstly in Ă€ger / Castejón de Sos in Spain in June, back-to-back with the Spanish League competition. In December 2010 / January 2011 we will be running the Masterclass in Roldanillo situated on the Cordillera Occidental of Colombia. More information will be available soon. Please get in touch if you are interested in either course as numbers will be limited. (updated: 26 January 2010)
AXIS mini-gliders : radio controlled models £399 We have a gaggle of radio controlled model paragliders in stock in the AXIS design and colour schemes. They arrive ready to fly with canopy, pilot and harness and servos.
See how much fun you can have - take a look at this video on YouTube to see what they can do!
We now have these rc models in stock - to order please get in toush with us using the contact form. (updated: 02 November 2009)
3 days, 200k's ! Hugh Miller has been out and about the southern counties on our demo Venus II. This is what he has to say:
"It’s one of a very rare few gliders I've ever flown that feels really intuitive. It loves to thermal. A very few gliders just help you find lift, like they want to go up – and most don’t. They might have lovely handling, beautiful in roll and all the rest, but they don’t have that magic co-ordinated roll, pitch and brake and riser feedback that really lets you know what’s going on with the thermal and helps you connect with it "
Read more about Hugh's flights here (posted 10 August 2009)
New Piedrahita site record : 254km : Mercury'08 Bruno Croué from France broke the Piedrahita site record during the week of the recent British Open with a flight of 254km from Peña Negra to close to Soria on his Axis Mercury 08 XS.
Bruno's flight lasted 7hours 45minutes with a maximum ground speed of 91km/hr.
Bruno held the previous record from Piedrahita set 1 year ago, this is his 3rd 200+km flight. He hopes to return to Piedrahita in September to take the Spanish distance record.
More here about big flights by the Axis team pilots. (posted 18th July 2009)
Vega II ( EN-B) : 131km to the coast Congratulations to HH 'helium' Tsai who has just well and truly smashed his goal of a 100km flight on his EN-B Vega II. HH launched from Bradwell and landed at the east coast. He had contemplated crossing the Wash but worried about sinking out in the marshland, spiralled to land in Boston!
HH was one of the Axis Mountain Masterclass 'Mountain stars' and says he remembers Tom Paynes advice to push on instead of lingering.
Good advice well taken HH!
See HH's flight details on the XC league page here (posted15thJune 2009)
181km (XContest score) in Mayrhofen Axis UK team pilot Kelly Farina has been planning a 200km triangle taking in the Ziller, Tux and Pinzgau valleys for a while. Wednesday 20th May saw Kelly fly 185km of the route in 8 hours 45 minutes.Kelly managed 170k in 6hrs 30mins then got stuck in shade and wind making closing the triangle really challenging. It took over 2hrs to do 15km in super weak thermals to get back to base, it never happened even though he climbed out to 2300m from 1400m.Kelly landed in Krimml unable to clear the Gerlos Pass, 20km from goal. Great flight Kelly! .igc track file here (posted 24th May 2009)
Axis Mountain Masterclass 2009
The inaugral Axis Mountain Masterclasses have just rounded off with a Tour of the Petit Lac in Annecy. The weather in Mayrhofen didn't play quite as nicely as hoped for but the weekend Zillertal Open brought us 2 tasks in which Joe Dart proved that he is 'one to watch' for the near future. Joe finished the week as the 'Mountain Master'. The second course in the French Alps saw Adam Stanfield taking the 'blue jersey' after some determined flying in all conditions. Congratulations also to HH 'helium' Tsai, Colin Hawke and Joe Dart (again!) our French 'Mountain Stars'. (posted 26th April 2009)
Vega II : 45km Lakes Triangle Chris Scammell flying the EN-B Vega II small just contacted us with details of possibly the largest triangle flown in the Lake District. From Chris: "Just to let you know that I am loving the Vega II more each day. Did my best ever flight yesterday, a 45km triangle around the Lake District, something I have been trying for years. I think it may be the largest triangle flown the Lakes, it certainly is the largest flown by an EN-B glider. PS. I didn't get a single collapse in 4 hours of thermalling in spring conditions, not even a wingtip flutter!"
(posted 26th April 2009)
Two Axis UK team pilots in the X-Alps! Axis UK Team Pilot Charlie Merrett is now supporting Aidan Toase inthe Red Bull X-Alps.
Every X-Alps athlete will tell you that it is really a team event and it's absolutely critical to have the right supporter. We're delighted that Charlie, Axis UK Team pilot and rising star on the British Paragliding Competitions circuit, will be supporting Aidan Toase in the race this year.
As a top pilot, Charlie will be able to help Aidan far beyond the mechanics of keeping Aidan fueled, motivated and injury free.
Charlie's paragliding experience and meteorological skills will help Aidan find the right take off and choose the right strategy each day.
We wish Aidan and Charlie (GBR1) and Tom and Alex (GBR2) every success in the great race which starts on the 19th of July in Austria. (posted 23rd March 2009)
Pluto II certified EN-B in 4 sizes
Pluto II is a glider for both beginner and intermediate recreational pilots. It has good passive safety and excellent performance with the easy and precise handling that is a feature of all our gliders.The certified weight ranges from 55kg - 125kg.
Pluto II is based on the very popular Pluto but we can confidently say that it has been improved in all its characteristics. Pluto II will appeal to a wide range of pilots from complete beginners to those advancing into cross country flying.
Demo gliders are now available. (posted 29th January 2009)
Axis Mercury '09 The Mercury '09 is skinnier (Aspect ratio 7.5) has better climbing performance in weak thermals, and is even more stable than Mercury '08 at all speeds.
Weight ranges have changed slightly from the '08 version: XXS 75-90kg; XS 85-100kg; S 95-110kg; M 105-125kg and L 115-140kg. Flat area(m2) XXS:19.4; XS:21.4; S:23.5, M:25.5 and L:28 m2.
General production of the final trimmed glider will start this month now that the comments from the Worlds pilots have been incorporated.Some impressions here (New pictures in the gallery) (updated18th February 2009)
X-Alps 2009
30 teams are now confirmed for the 2009 Red Bull X-Alps adventure race starting in July in Austria.
We are really pleased that in addition to our own Axis UK team pilot, Tom Payne, the following pilots have chosen to fly Axis gliders:
Peter Vrabec (SVK)
Honza Rejmanek (USA)
Lloyd Pennicuik (AUS)
This places Axis as the glider of choice ahead of Advance, Ozone, Mac and Niviuk :-)
Follow Tom's adventures here as well as online info on the official website. (posted 27th December 2008)
UK XC League 2008 Congratulations to Kai Coleman (Mercury 2008) on a splendid 11th hour assault on the XC league 2008. Kai blasted round 3 FAI triangles during the last 6 weeks of the season to take the 2nd place behind Richard Westgate.
The Axis UK prize for highest placed EN-B / DHV1/2 glider goes to Ken Wilkinson in 19th place overall.
Gordon Bishop flying his 2007 prize Vega II ranked 23rd overall.
Full XC League table here (posted 4th November 2008)
X-sail - it blows you away! For those days when its just to strong to fly.. X-sail is the latest sensation in the world of wind sports.
It's not what X-sail IS that's so special, but what X-sail DOES.
X-sail takes you into a world of speed, and high adrenalin, without the need for hours of practice, and in a safe and controlled way.
It folds quickly out of its bag at your local car park, playing field or beach, and provides an instant buzz for all members of the family.
Click on the image for
SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY PRICES (updated: 4 November 2008)
!! Quality Notice !! We are aware of some quality issues with Axis glider rucksacs. We have received a faulty batch from our supplier and would ask that any pilot who has received a rucksac that is not up to standard or that has failed in use return it to us at the following address: Axispara -Radek Simonik, Metodejova 5, Brno 61200, Czech Republic.
Please include your name and address and a replacement bag will be sent to you.
We apologise for these problems, but be assured that we take the quality of all our products very seriously. (posted 28th July 2008)
Vega II success in XC open series 2008 After a total of 16 tasks in Australia, Spain and Brasil the best 8 scored towards the overall ranking
Mark Graham flying the small (EN-B) Vega II won the overall Sports Class in the 2008 series competing against the full range of DHV and EN-C gliders.
Mark Watts finished 9th overall in the Open class.
Axis success in French XC league (CFD) The French XC league season has just ended and three out of the top five, including the top two are flying Axis Mercurys.
Axis UK Team Pilot Tom Payne finished 6th overall out of
over eight hundred pilots in the league, improving one place over
his 2007 position and confirming his position in the French top ten for the
second year running.
Over the season Tom made ten 100km+ flights throughout
the French Alps, the best three being a 130km flat triangle from St Andre, a
126km FAI triangle from les Saises, and 180km out-and-return from St Marcel
near Chambéry. French XC League here (posted 4th September 2008)
St André British Open & Championships
After 3 tasks Olivier Michielsen on a 2006 Axis Mercury won the British Open in St Andre, France last week in his 'practice' for the French Open next month.
In the 2008 British Championships Mark Watts on the 2008 Mercury was 5th overall, Kai Coleman 8th and Tom Payne 14th.
St André warm-up! New Axis Para UK team pilot Tom Payne took his Mercury ' 08 to St André in the
French Alpes on the weekend of 9/10 August for a bit of practice for the
upcoming British Championships and French Open.On the Saturday conditions were rather good with climbs to 6m/s and
cloudbase at 3200m. Tom raced round a 132km free triangle in just five
hours on the Saturday, an average speed of 26km/h around a closed circuit.The great weather continued on the Sunday with even higher bases and peak
climbs of 10m/s. Tom flew from Col de Bleyne up to the Lac de Serre-Ponçon
and back to St André for a total distance of 140km.Having flown 10.5 hours and over 270km in two days in strong mountain
conditions, Tom had this to say about his new wing: "She climbs really well and the speed is simply amazing! Now I understand
why the top guys in the French XC league all chose to fly Axis. I can't
wait to race in the British Open!".
You can see Tom's tracklogs here and here. Photo:Quentin King (posted 15th August 2008)
Venus II 1st & 2nd in Spanish Championship Nicky Moss took the first female podium place, with local pilot Maite Moreno in 2nd, both flying the race Venus II XS at the Spanish Championships and Pre World Cup in Arcones, Segovia.
170 pilots competed over a week with 4 tasks for the title of Spanish Champion which was won by Catalan hero Xevi Bonet.
The large contingent of Axis gliders placed well in all categories; overall, serial and sports class. Full results are here (posted 28th July 2008)
Wagga top 20 in the European Champs! Well done Mark! 17th overall in the European Championship held in Niš in Serbia from 30th June to 12 July 2008.
Mark was flying his new AXIS Mercury '08 that he saw for the first time just before the first task.
His final glide calculations appear to have been rather optimistic at times but gave him 3rd in task 3 and 6th in the final task. :-).
A full report from the British Team can be read here.
(posted 13th July 2008)
Tom Payne joins Team AXIS UK We are really pleased to announce that Tom Payne is joining the AXIS UK team for 2008 and beyond.
Tom's new custom colour Mercury '08 XS has met his expectations "The new wing is wonderful. I now understand why people fly comp wings: the performance and speed on full bar is unbelievable."
Tom lives and works in Switzerland but is generally to be found high above the Alps indulging in his passion for flying huge cross country distances in the mountains.We look forward to learning a few of his XC secrets! (updated: 3rd July 2008)
Wagga 3rd : Axis UK team Vice-Champions Mark has done it again - 2 task wins and a 3rd in Pedro Bernardo put him on the British Open podium with his Mercury 2007.
Congratulations also to Kai who after some nifty speed bar adjustments won task 1and to Kelly for 4th position in the third task Three of the four scoring tasks were won by the boys on their Axis Mercury's. Adam Hill finished 7th overall, Eduardo Sanchez 8th and and Kai 9th. The UK 'Axis of Evil' team of Wagga, Kai, Kelly and Adam Hill flew brilliantly to take second in the team ranking. (updated: 10June 2008)
Ozone Chabre Open - Axis Vega II wins! After 3 tasks in the Ozone Chabre Open in Laragne the overall prize went to Mark Graham on a small Vega II (EN-B) with roving journalist Ed Ewing 10th overall on his new and much larger Vega II ( EN-C) ! Mark won the highest scoring task and was well placed in the other two to win a sailplane flight with World distance record holder Klaus Ohlmann.
(updated: 22 June 2008)
Eddie Colfox' Himalayan exploits News just received from Eddie, on tour in the highest Himalayan peaks with his Vega II. "Done some excellent flying in various conditions including ballistic; snotty, daunting, relaxed and light and close, very close; and the vega II has been incredible in all of them. She turns well, turns peoples heads and is known locally as 'sweet lips' and she's really becoming my sweetie."Follow the teams progress on the Himalaya Sky Safari blog & this Youtube video (updated: 10June 2008)
Venus II certified We are pleased to announce that the Venus II, our new performance glider for experienced and competition pilots has passed EN certification in Category D.
The medium version is available now and certification will follow shortly on the small and large. Production has already started and we hope to have demo models available in the UK within the next month.
Please get in touch through the contact form if you want to try the Venus II - the waiting list is already growing! Technical details are here (updated: 28 March 2008)
Himalayan Adventures - Vega II lightweight We are very pleased to be sponsoring Eddie Colfox in his next Himalayan adventure with John Silvester.
Axis have provided a lightweight Vega II for Eddie to fly during the expedition, the first stgae of which takes the duo from Islamabad up the Kunhar river and over the .4145m Babusar Pass.
From the pass they may fly up the Indus valley from Chillas (alleged birthplace of the Taliban) towards Gilgit and then up the Karakorum highway via Mt Rakaposhi (7788m) towards Hunza and beyond. Alternatively from the Babusar pass they may head onto the Flanks of Nanga Parbat (8125m and respectfully known as Killer Mountain) and then onto Rakaposhi and up to Hunza.
A straight line distance of 320km - though little of it is likely to be in a straight line!
We wish them success with this incredible adventure and will be providing updates on progress here on the website. (updated: 28 March 2008)
Killarney Classic - Vice Champion After 6 tasks in Manilla, Wagga lead the competition. However the XC open format which takes only the 4 best scores caused his ranking to drop to 5th overall just behind the Slovakian brothers also flying AXIS Mercury. Well done guys! Final results here.
The Killarney Classic paragliding Open in Queensland, Australia finished after 6 tasks, with 'Wagga' in 2nd place overall on his new AXIS Mercury proto. Final results here. At the Pre-Worlds in Valle de Bravo, Mexico, Portugal's Nuno Virgilio finished 3rd with AXIS factory team pilot David Ohidal in 6th & Frenchman Olivier Michielson in 7th all flying the AXIS Mercury -Congratulations to you all! (updated 19 February 2008)
AXIS test centre AXIS UK team pilot Kelly Farina will be running a test centre for our gliders in Mayrhofen for pilots booking courses with Austrian / Italian Arena.
For course booking contact Kelly through his www.austrianarena.com website.
To register interest in testing a glider please contact us with the size & model you want to try so that we can make sure we have a glider available. (updated: 29January 2008)
AXIS UK sponsor UK XC league AXIS UK are sponsoring the British paragliding XC league & offering a £400 discount -off rrp- on any new AXIS glider. The prize will be awarded to the highest ranked pilot flying an EN-B or DHV 1/2 glider
Gordon Bishop, last years winner will be flying the VegaII in the 2008 league - we wish him success. (updated: 31 March 2008)