Coming soon: Sigma 7

The SIGMA 6 has of course been a spectacular success for ADVANCE and the new 7 shows every sign that it will continue to win fans everywhere.

Thomas Ripplinger is responsible for R&D, and with the assistance of Kari Eisenhut and Chrigel Maurer has now passed the 26 and 28 models through homologation.

Specications on the new glider shows it has the same number of cells as the SIGMA 6 and the photo below suggests a similar line layout. You may note that the span of wing shown in the photo contains no closed cells except for the usual number in the wing tip. I cannot tell if the screened cells are still present.

SIGMA 6 vs. SIGMA 7: What are the differences?

Significant technical changes from the SIGMA 5 are as follows:

More stable and centred thanks to the HiArc principle:
Inspired by the design of the arched bridge the SIGMA 7 has a highly curved shape. This design was first implemented on the highly successful OMEGA 7 and clearly improves the glider's stability and coordination, and it can be flown faster in turbulent air.

High performance and stability when flying in bumpy air:
The trend toward flying faster has also come to apply to recreational cross country pilots. The Speed-Performance-Indicator (SPI) and a wing profile with high structural stability at speed helps you use a noticeably higher average transit speed when tactical considerations require it.

Direct and precise:
The SIGMA 7 delivers very direct handling, which provides precise turn entry as well as the ability to continuously adjust the turning radius in every thermalling situation. In addition, the balance of profile and twist gives an appropriate thermal bite and exemplary canopy feedback.

Additional features:

• Narrow risers with 2 phase speed system
• Hybrid lines: unsheathed top gallery lines
• ADVANCE quality and standards

Technical specs:

It can be seen from the figures presented above that the aspect ratio is further increased from 5.48 on the SIGMA 6 to 5.60, though much of this increase will be offset by the HiArc design and the projected aspect ratio may be quite similar to that of the SIGMA 6.

The glider is being presented in 4 sizes, 23 (60~75kg), 26 (70~95kg), 28 (85~110kg) and 31 (100~130kg). The difference in the weight ranges are just in the smallest size, which is nominally 1m2 larger and the weight range has been reduced to 60~75kg from 55~75kg.

Colors:

Other information and sources:

There are video clips of the SIGMA 7 demo glider from the Stubai Cup presented here, and here.