Gradient Aspen

The Gradient Aspen is a Czech single-place, paraglider designed and produced by Gradient sro of Prague. Introduced in 2003, it remained in production in 2016 as the Aspen 5.[1]

Aspen
Aspen 2
Role Paraglider
National origin Czech Republic
Manufacturer Gradient sro
Introduction 2003
Status In production (2016)
Produced 2003-present

Design and development

The Aspen was designed as an intermediate sport glider.[1]

The design has progressed through five generations of models, the Aspen, Aspen 2, 3, 4 and 5, each improving on the last. The models are each named for their approximate wing area in square metres.[1]

Variants
Aspen 24
Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 11.57 m (38.0 ft) span wing has a wing area of 22.62 m2 (243.5 sq ft), 50 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.58:1. The pilot weight range is 70 to 85 kg (154 to 187 lb). The glider model is DHV 2 certified.[1]
Aspen 26
Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its 12.12 m (39.8 ft) span wing has a wing area of 26.24 m2 (282.4 sq ft), 50 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.58:1. The pilot weight range is 80 to 100 kg (176 to 220 lb). The glider model is DHV 2 certified.[1]
Aspen 28
Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 12.64 m (41.5 ft) span wing has a wing area of 29.30 m2 (315.4 sq ft), 50 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.58:1. The pilot weight range is 90 to 120 kg (198 to 265 lb). The glider model is DHV 2 certified.[1]
Aspen 3 22
Extra small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 11.35 m (37.2 ft) span wing has a wing area of 21.87 m2 (235.4 sq ft), 60 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.9:1. The takeoff weight range is 65 to 75 kg (143 to 165 lb). The glider model is EN/LTF-C2 certified and has a glide ratio of 9:1.[2]
Aspen 3 24
Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 11.87 m (38.9 ft) span wing has a wing area of 23.90 m2 (257.3 sq ft), 60 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.9:1. The takeoff weight range is 70 to 85 kg (154 to 187 lb). The glider model is EN/LTF-C2 certified and has a glide ratio of 9:1.[2]
Aspen 3 26
Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its 12.40 m (40.7 ft) span wing has a wing area of 26.03 m2 (280.2 sq ft), 60 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.9:1. The takeoff weight range is 80 to 100 kg (176 to 220 lb). The glider model is EN/LTF-C2 certified and has a glide ratio of 9:1.[2]
Aspen 3 28
Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 12.90 m (42.3 ft) span wing has a wing area of 28.24 m2 (304.0 sq ft), 60 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.9:1. The takeoff weight range is 90 to 115 kg (198 to 254 lb). The glider model is EN/LTF-C2 certified and has a glide ratio of 9:1.[2]
Aspen 3 30
Extra large-sized model for much heavier pilots. Its 13.55 m (44.5 ft) span wing has a wing area of 31.14 m2 (335.2 sq ft), 60 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.9:1. The takeoff weight range is 105 to 130 kg (231 to 287 lb). The glider model is EN/LTF-C2 certified and has a glide ratio of 9:1.[2]
Aspen 4 22
Extra small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 11.50 m (37.7 ft) span wing has a wing area of 22.06 m2 (237.5 sq ft), 62 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.99:1. The takeoff weight range is 67 to 80 kg (148 to 176 lb). The glider model is EN/LTF-C certified and has a glide ratio of 10:1.[3]
Aspen 4 24
Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 12.02 m (39.4 ft) span wing has a wing area of 24.10 m2 (259.4 sq ft), 62 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.99:1. The takeoff weight range is 75 to 90 kg (165 to 198 lb). The glider model is EN/LTF-C certified and has a glide ratio of 10:1.[3]
Aspen 4 26
Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its 12.46 m (40.9 ft) span wing has a wing area of 25.94 m2 (279.2 sq ft), 62 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.99:1. The takeoff weight range is 85 to 105 kg (187 to 231 lb). The glider model is EN/LTF-C certified and has a glide ratio of 10:1.[3]
Aspen 4 28
Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 12.92 m (42.4 ft) span wing has a wing area of 27.86 m2 (299.9 sq ft), 62 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.99:1. The takeoff weight range is 95 to 115 kg (209 to 254 lb). The glider model is EN/LTF-C certified and has a glide ratio of 10:1.[3]
Aspen 4 30
Extra large-sized model for much heavier pilots. Its 13.50 m (44.3 ft) span wing has a wing area of 30.42 m2 (327.4 sq ft), 62 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.99:1. The takeoff weight range is 105 to 130 kg (231 to 287 lb). The glider model is EN/LTF-C certified and has a glide ratio of 10:1.[3]
Aspen 5 24
Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 12.63 m (41.4 ft) span wing has a wing area of 23.30 m2 (250.8 sq ft), 64 cells and the aspect ratio is 6.25:1. The takeoff weight range is 77 to 90 kg (170 to 198 lb). The glider model is EN-C certified.[4]
Aspen 5 26
Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its 12.12 m (39.8 ft) span wing has a wing area of 25.50 m2 (274.5 sq ft), 64 cells and the aspect ratio is 6.25:1. The takeoff weight range is 85 to 103 kg (187 to 227 lb). The glider model is EN-C certified.[4]
Aspen 5 28
Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 13.17 m (43.2 ft) span wing has a wing area of 27.74 m2 (298.6 sq ft), 64 cells and the aspect ratio is 6.25:1. The takeoff weight range is 98 to 118 kg (216 to 260 lb). The glider model is EN-C certified.[4]

Specifications (Aspen 26)

Data from Bertrand[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Wingspan: 12.12 m (39 ft 9 in)
  • Wing area: 26.24 m2 (282.4 sq ft)
  • Aspect ratio: 5.58

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 50 km/h (31 mph, 27 kn)
  • Rate of sink: 1.0 m/s (200 ft/min)

References
  1. Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 19. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
  2. Gradient sro. "Aspen 3 Technical Data". Archived from the original on 25 June 2016. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  3. Gradient sro. "Aspen 4 Technical Data". Archived from the original on 25 June 2016. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  4. Gradient sro. "Aspen 5 Technical Data". Archived from the original on 25 June 2016. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
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