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1. CHARACTERISTICS
1.1 WHO IS IT DESIGNED FOR?
The SKIN 2 is designed for mountaineers, hike & fly aficionados and
those who love adventures. The wing’s excellent performance permits
exploration with lightweight and compact equipment, without ever
compromising the safety of the pilot.
Niviuk would like to reassure you that the SKIN 2 is not just a wing for
descending down mountains. Its good performance in thermals, glide
and speed make this model an easy to fly paraglider and which is
accessible to pilots with some flight experience.
Only the aeronautical authorities of respective countries can determine
pilot competence.
1.2 CERTIFICATION
All sizes of the SKIN 2 (16m, 18m and 20m), were certified at the Swiss
testing house Air Turquoise S.A. in accordance with European norms: EN
926-1:2015 & LTF NFL II-91/09 chapter 3.
The results were:
Strength test: 10.860 N / 137,69 kg maximum load at 8 G.
Shock test: 800 daN
The SKIN 18m was certified to standards EN 926-2: 2013, EN 926-
1: 2015 & LTF 91/09 with a weight range of 70kg minimum to 90kg
maximum.
Certification: B
Certification reference: PG 1128.2016
We recommend pilots read the flight test report carefully. The report
contains all the necessary information on how the paraglider reacts
during each of the tested manoeuvres.
It is important to note that different sized wings will react differently
during manoeuvres. Even within the same size, at maximum or minimum
load, the behaviour and reactions of the wing may vary.
For further information on the flight test and the corresponding
certification number, please see the final pages of this manual.
1.3 IN-FLIGHT BEHAVIOUR
Niviuk developed the SKIN 2 by adopting very specific goals: to continue
to achieve optimum performance while minimising weight and volume
in order to achieve an easily transportable wing; excellent handling; to
facilitate more control for the pilot; improve the flare behaviour during
the landing phase and, above all, to obtain the best level of certification
whilst improving on the previous generation. The flight tests confirmed a
high degree of safety for this new wing concept.
We have succeeded in having the wing transmit the maximum feedback
in an understandable and comfortable way so that the pilot can focus on
piloting.
In all aspects of flight, the wing is very solid and stable. During glide and
when fully accelerated, the wing maintains altitude well. When gliding
the profile remains stable. Turning is precise and less physical, and the
turn is easily initiated. The wing is very easy to inflate even in nil-wind, it
requires an extremely short takeoff (ideal especially in the mountains) and
provides a smooth and precise landing.
Flying this wing is very intuitive, with clear, usable feedback about the air
mass. It responds to the pilot’s inputs effectively and even in very thermic
and turbulent conditions it remains stable and solid.
The SKIN 2 flies efficiently. It enters thermals with sufficient speed to
centre in the lift and climbs progressively. The handling is progressive
