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Keara! |
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Keara, Simba's Daughter... Keara is a breakthrough design in paragliding. It features "HIT" Valves, a new concept (introduced by Apco), improving stability and performance at high speed/low angle of attack. The leading edge also features Flexon Nylon Battens which hold the profile shape at speed. These two features combined with a new hook-up point distribution on the canopy and speed system gives the Keara performance way above any other glider in its class. In fact, Keara beats all of the gliders in class 2/3 too and many of the open class/competition gliders. |
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"HIT Valves" (High-Speed Intake Valves - pat. pending)) increase the internal pressure of the wing both during accelerated flight and in extreme situations, dramatically improving safety and performance.
"How it Works": The Standard leading edge intakes on a paraglider are placed on the stagnation point of the profile at trim speed. This ensures maximum internal pressure of the canopy for this angle of attack. Once you accelerate, the wing is flying at a lower angle of attack, and therefore the stagnation point moves higher on the nose of the profile. The "HIT Valve", placed above the leading edge openings, opens automatically when the stagnation point moves over the valves, pressurizing the wing. Only a few valves are necessary over the span of the leading edge to pressurize the entire wing at higher speeds. The Valves are kept closed at trim speed by the internal pressure of the wing. Flexon Leading Edge Battens (pat. pending) support the top and bottom surface leading-edge fabric between the ribs keeping the profile clean and the intakes open. This feature dramatically improves the performance of the wing, especially at high speeds. The Battens also improve inflation of the wing both during launch and re-inflation in flight. |
Keara Technical Data | ||||
Size | X-Small | Small | Medium | Large |
Cells | (32x3)+(2x2)+6 | (33x3)+(2x2)+6 | (35x3)+(2x2)+6 | (37x3)+(2x2)+6 |
Area m2 | 24.50 | 25.40 | 27.50 | 29.20 |
Area (projected) m2 | 21.80 | 22.70 | 24.20 | 25.80 |
Span (incl. Stabilizer) m | 11.90 | 12.20 | 12.90 | 13.50 |
Span (projected) m | 9.80 | 10.10 | 10.60 | 11.20 |
Aspect Ratio | 5.80 | 5.95 | 6.10 | 6.40 |
Aspect Ratio (projected) | 4.40 | 4.50 | 4.70 | 4.90 |
Pilot Weight, Kg (all up) | 64 - 80 | 79 - 99 | 95 - 115 | 105 - 130 |
Weight of Canopy Kg | 7.0 | 7.2 | 7.4 | 7.6 |
Root Cord m | 2.67 | 2.67 | 2.67 | 2.67 |
Tip Cord m | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.50 |
Length of Lines on B m | 7.50 | 7.50 | 7.90 | 8.30 |
Total line used m | 320 | 320 | 345 | 355 |
Keara Performance Data | |
V-min. | 21 km/h |
V-trim | 36 - 38 km/h |
V-max. | 59+ km/h |
Min Sink ( at optimum wing loading) | <0.9m/s |
Keara Colour Options | ||
Colour | Bottom Surface | Top Surface |
Turqouise | ||
White | ||
Red | ||
Royal Blue | ||
Yellow | ||
Violet |
Keara Certification | ||
Size/Type | AFNOR / CEN | DHV |
XSmall | Performance | No |
Small | Performance* | Class 2 (Trim & Accelerated) |
Medium | Performance* | Class 2 (Trim & Accelerated) |
Large | In Process (Performance) | Class 2 (Trim & Accelerated) |
*Competition Version Only |
Keara Construction/Materials | |||||||
Lines | Material | Diameter | Strength | ||||
Type | Std. | Comp | Std. | Comp | Std. | Comp | |
Top (Low Drag Hook-Up) |
Dyneema | Dyneema | 0.8mm | 0.8mm | 90kg | 90kg | |
Upper C & D |
Super Aramid | Super Aramid (Unsheathed) |
1.1mm | 0.6mm | 80kg | 65kg | |
Mid A, B, C & D |
Super Aramid | Super Aramid (Unsheathed) |
1.1mm | 0.6mm | 80kg | 65kg | |
Lower | Super Aramid | Super Aramid (Unsheathed) |
1.7mm | 0.9mm | 150kg | 120kg | |
Central Lower A & B |
Super Aramid | Super Aramid (Unsheathed) |
2.2mm | 1.6mm | 220kg | 200kg | |
Upper Brake Cascades | Dyneema | Super Aramid (Unsheathed) |
1.1mm | 0.6mm | 90kg | 65kg | |
Steering Line | Polyester | Dyneema | 2.2mm | 0.9mm | 90kg | 180kg | |
Fabric | |||||||
Sail Cloth | 46gr/m2 "Zero Porosity" Ripstop Nylon (Double Siliconized) |
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Rib Reinforcement | 80gr/m2 Mylar (Trilam) | ||||||
Warranty | 3 Years / 250 hours |
Accessories |
The Keara as with all Apco's gliders is supplied with a comfortable carry bag complete with a shoe/helmet pocket, inner stuff bag, accelerator, closing belt, spares kit and a clear and complete manual. You can view most of these items in the Accessories Table |