As a small design studio we are able to offer a range of custom choices. These are some of the variables we offer as SPECIALS.
Our "standard" material is K42 ripstop nylon. It's a proven and rugged choice, long time mainstay of the kite industry. It provides an ideal material for parafoils aimed at the beginner with its strength, "crushability" and competitive price. It has a coating of polyurethane on one side. Gross weight 48 gms per sq metre.
Dimension is also a ripstop nylon but weighs less than K42. It is a stiffer material which means better performance - faster movement through the air and faster traction speeds. Since it is still a ripstop it retains some "give" and crushability, therefore durability. It too, is only coated on one side. It costs slightly more than the K42. Gross weight 42 gms per sq metre.
Seaspeed is a ripstop nylon which is coated on both sides. This means that its effectively waterproof, however it still weighs less than K42. Good resistance to water can have a appreciable effect on performance. Wet launching is one obvious area, but even on some days where it doesn't rain there might still be moisture in the air. Water resistance is a consideration for use on snow/ice. Gross weight 47 gms per sq metre.
Polyester is lighter than K42, Dimension and Seaspeed. Its also stiffer and totally waterproof. Best suited for intermediate and advanced Pilots, it gives the best performance of all the materials. However it costs more and is less durable than the ripstops (on account of its lack of "give"). Where UV exposure is a factor, polyester is the favored choice. There is no warranty for cell burst or tears on any polyester parafoils. Gross weight is 38 gms per sq metre.
NOTE. There is often confusion as to what the true gross weights actually are. The manufacturers are often to blame for this as they advertise the scrim weights of their cloths sometimes in sq yards and sometimes in sq metres and all before the addition of surface coatings. So K42 is in fact a 42 gm scrim with 6 gms of coating.
The "standard" line for us when bridling is 110lb polyester. This has a degree of stretch and coupled with the use of K42 ripstop nylon, makes a more durable parafoil. The remainder of the bridling - the "links" are dyneema. They are much stiffer. This is a practical compromise of durability and performance over cost.
However there are situations, and Pilots who demand more! For intermediate and advanced Pilots we use a 100% dyneema bridle. That's 80lb for the bridle and 300lb or even 200lb spliced and sewn dyneema for the links. This gives the best in terms of responsiveness, and minimum line drag. However all shocks are immediately passed onto the canopy itself.
The sections of MODULUS are connected together using zips, made by YKK. These specialist zips are available in 2 options:
These are further custom options which based as always on MODULUS, are much more specialized "weapons"! Available with either zip option.
This is a 1 sq metre seaspeed unit with a cut away trailing edge. It has more walls than a standard unit which gives it a higher top speed. There is dyneema bridling on every cell and re-inforcements at all the load points. It's designed for use in very high winds as a 1 sq metre or with the addition of end cells a 1.8 "storm rig". It can also be used as a replacement unit in the event of damage to a "Mach 2" unit. It forms part of the "MODULUS QUIVER".
These are made from 32 gm polyester. They have more walls than standard, for greater speed and acceleration. They are dyneema bridled on every cell which improves the efficiency of the parafoil and spreads the load more evenly. Designed with the "speed merchant" in mind these are a delight in strong winds but can be a handful in squally conditions where the speed with which they power up can be alarming - we are talking SCARY here! They work with standard minis and end cells so at 2 sq metres they offer the MODULUS Pilot an addition to their quiver for reach sharking! They can be used as a 4 core - the MACH 2 "58". They form part of the "MODULUS QUIVER". There is no warranty for cell burst or tears on any polyester parafoils.
Choices, choices, choices! The "quiver" has a logic that attempts to anticipate a number of situations and provide effective answers while keeping the bag's volume down to manageable proportions. After all why lose one of the main advantages of parafoil traction?
There are 4 elements to the quiver. They are:
So in the MODULUS QUIVER there are 4 line length choices, 4 kites, 14. sq metres of parafoil giving 21 rig choices! The whole quiver fits in a buggy mountable bag - a COMPRESSION SACK.
This is a storm rig with a sail area of 1.8 sq metres. When traction is sought in high and very high winds (+ 30 mph). Packed and ready for use in a small POD, it's on very short lines. Handable in difficult conditions and robust in K42 ripstop this is a real joy to use. The cut away trailing edge makes it turn easily and quickly even when very powered up. Often added to a Pilots quiver for use with a MODULUS. Where although a 1.8 configuration is possible the high wind conditions dictate shorter lines. The 1.8 BB is a lazy Pilots solution! More details.
This is a parafoil - without zips - where the most is demanded from the lightest of winds. With a surface area of 5.3 sq metres and the addition of flaps, power for traction is produced in winds from 3 mph up to about 12 mph. As with all quoted wind ranges these figures are only meant as a guide.
The flaps on the trailing edge increase the amount of low end torque or power, which is necessary to actually get moving in these ultralight wind conditions. Made from 32 gm polyester with 80lb bridling and 200lb links this is a very light canopy, a mere 720gms. It is very stable and with the (200lb + 80lb) x 150ft line set it is a solution for those who are looking for traction "beyond the call of duty"! It is very popular with Competitive Pilots. More details.