Introducing the mirage, For pilots who, Cutting-edge design – GIN Mirage User Manual
Page 5: Construction
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2. Introducing the Mirage
The Mirage is a new concept in an intermediate-level powered paraglider. The designers, Gin
Seok Song and Mike Campbell-Jones, have drawn on all their years of experience to produce a
glider that is uniquely in tune with the needs of today’s pilots. The Mirage offers outstanding
security, with precise handling. This allows the pilot to accurately feel the sensations of flight,
and thus develop an active flying style. Rapid progression up the learning curve is enabled, as
the pilot becomes well acquainted with the myriad of different movements and moods of the air.
The Mirage will allow you to experience the full pleasure of paramotoring and free flight,
without ever compromising your safety.
For Pilots Who…
The Mirage is an ideal intermediate glider, and is also suitable for the more experienced club
pilot who flies infrequently and wants a good performing glider with the highest safety margin.
The Mirage is designed for all kinds of flying, from the first steps at the powered paragliding
school to the long cross country flight.
Cutting-edge Design
Gin and Mike have made extensive improvements in the Mirage compared to other reflex profile
wings in the current market. Performance, take-off and handling characteristics have been
improved without sacrificing security.
The new shape of the wing tip improves the performance in flight by reducing the induced drag.
A double reinforcement at the leading edge has been introduced. This improves take-off
characteristics, performance and increases the lifetime of the canopy.
The brake line layout features an extra upper line that gives the wing an even more precise feel.
Although your Mirage wing has been designed to fly like a conventional paraglider, the reflex
wing section means that it has an elevator built into its shape. The wing no longer completely
depends on payload as its only source of stability, It maintains its own attitude in pitch, rising
and falling through thermals and turbulence, whilst remaining stable above the pilot’s head,
requiring minimal control input.
The trimmer system allows you to raise the rear of the airfoil, effectively reducing the chord
and surface area by some 30%, giving the wing a higher wing loading and increased speed
without changing the angle of attack. The centre of pressure also moves forward adding further
to the pitch stability. This redistribution of loading gives the wing exceptional tuck-resistance
and increases the working aspect ratio; the result is a faster, more efficient wing under power
and at speed, much like a traditional powered aircraft.
When requiring more lift at lower speeds, the rear section can be trimmed down to restore a
fully flapped airfoil, the Mirage changes its characteristics, becoming closer to a conventional
paraglider with smooth sporty handling, short slow take offs and steep climb outs.
Construction
Your Mirage’s strength and durability have been achieved through careful choice of modern