A truly revolutionary glider design – The APCO Hybrid Tandem
The Apco Hybrid – has proven its advantages and gained immense popularity worldwide.
The Hybrid combines a classic double surface profile with a single surface profile, together creating a hybrid profile design. The Tandem is based on the original Hybrid, and was further improved for use as a Tandem wing. Its main advantages are:
✅ The easiest inflation characteristics available period. Less prone to inadvertent inflation than a single skin glider.
✅ Low Take-Off Speed – for even the most uncooperative passengers.
✅ Real Flare capability – better than any single Skin.
✅ Very Light brake pressure.
✅ Un-matched Roll and pitch Stability, truly amazing!
Designed for both Paramotor and mountain flying, the Hybrid tandem delivers the easiest and smoothest flight experience possible for you and your passengers.
Certified EN-B with both Trimmers closed and Open, with a weight range from 110 to 190 Kg.
The Hybrid Tandem is the easiest tandem wing on the market. It brings everything the solo Hybrid offers to the hands of the tandem pilot:
Phenomenal inflation and Launch, even with a light tail wind, Outstanding passive and active safety characteristics, Perfect, predictable and light handling, Low sink rate with great thermalling, and of course, what every tandem pilot wants – Easy and predictable landing! (unlike single skins).
This unique design combines a classic double surface profile with a single surface profile, together creating a hybrid profile which provides really special flying characteristics.
Putting aside all the hype – this wing must be flown to be believed!
The Hybrid tandem offers many advantages over both classic tandems and single skin designs. It is evident that “Hybrid type” wings are becoming a standard on the market with many companies introducing similar concept designs and we are proud to once again set future standards with the first Tandem Hybrid wing!
Background
The original Hybrid project started off as a concept, an idea that we wanted to explore but never expected what we found! The initial test flights of the first prototype were so impressive that we virtually dropped all other projects in an effort to bring this wing to the market. After 2 years of intense R&D we launched the HYBRID!
The Hybrid must be flown to believe all the “hype” around it, but we promise you it is that SPECIAL! Any pilot that had the chance to try it was amazed and after only 1 flight, convinced that this concept is here to stay!
The Hybrid Tandem is light (4.4 kg), but not designed to be a “Lightweight” wing. the absence of bottom surface on the back part of the wing saves weight but is also what makes it fly in such a special way.
The Hybrid is much more than an exotic wing for special purposes. It offers many advantages over single skin designs and also classic wings in beginner to sport categories. Hybrid wings will become mainstream products within a few years, replacing many classic designs out there. We are proud that APCO is behind such an innovation!
This project has been long and difficult but we are sure the term “Hybrid” will be forever coined into our sport!
Background
This project started off as a concept, an idea that we wanted to explore but never expected what we found! The initial test flights of the first prototype were so impressive that we virtually dropped all other projects in an effort to bring this wing to the market. After 2 years of intense R&D we launched the HYBRID!
The Hybrid must be flown to believe all the “hype” around it, but we promise you it is that SPECIAL! Any pilot that had the chance to try it was amazed and after only 1 flight, convinced that this concept is here to stay!
The Hybrid Tandem is light (4.4 kg), but not designed to be a “Lightweight” wing. the absence of bottom surface on the back part of the wing saves weight but is also what makes it fly in such a special way.
More Information
Technical Data
| Hybrid | Tandem (35) |
|---|---|
| Product Codes | 38710 – Free flying 38810 – Paramotor |
| Cells | 48 |
| Area m2 | 35 |
| Area (projected) m2 | 29.60 |
| Span (incl. Stabiliser) m | 13.28 |
| Span (projected) m | 10.39 |
| Aspect Ratio | 5.1 |
| Aspect Ratio (projected) | 3.7 |
| Pilot Weight, Kg (all up) PG | 110 – 190 |
| Pilot Weight, Kg (all up) PPG | 110 – 240 |
| Weight of Canopy Kg | 4.27 |
| Root Cord m | 3.20 |
| Tip Cord m | 0.57 |
| Length of Lines on B m | 8.02 |
| Total length of line used m | 402 |
| Certification | EN-B DGAC |
Performance
| V-min [km/h] | 22 |
|---|---|
| V-trim [km/h] | 35 |
| V-max [km/h] | 45+ |
| Min Sink [m/s] at optimal wing loading | 1.1 |
Construction
The glider is made from 100% Skytex cloth.
Top surface is a hybrid combination of Skytex 27 and Skytex 33 gr. The 33gr. material is used on the front of top surface as it is the highest loaded part of the canopy and there it is critical to maintain best porosity possible over time.
The rear part of top surface is Skytex 27 gr. for additional weight saving.
Bottom surface is Skytex 27 Gr. Ribs are made from Skytex 33 gr. hard finish.
Lines are all Cousin Trestec, specified in the table below.
PG Version Line Specification:
| Material | Diameter [mm] | Strength [kg] | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top | Dyneema | 0.9 | 90 |
| Mid & Brake Mid | Vektran | 0.9 | 115 |
| Mid a, b, c | Vektran | 1.0 | 153 |
| Bottom A, B, C | Aramide | 1.5 | 280 |
| Bottom St | Aramide | 1.0 | 130 |
| Brake top, St top | Vectran | 0.9 | 115 |
| Brake bottom | Dyneema | 2.0 | 230 |
PM Version Line Specification:
| Line | Material | Diameter [mm] | Strength [kg] |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top | Dyneema | 1.0 | 90 |
| Mid & Brake Mid | Vektran | 0.9 | 115 |
| Mid a, b, c | Vektran | 1.0 | 153 |
| Bottom A, B, C | Sheathed Aramide | 2.5 | 450 |
| Bottom St | Sheathed Aramide | 1.8 | 230 |
| Brake top, St top | Vectran | 0.9 | 115 |
| Brake bottom | Sheathed Dyneema | 2.0 | 230 |
| Sail Cloth | Skytex 27 and 33 gr/m2 “Zero Porosity” Ripstop Nylon |
| Rib Reinforcement | FLEXON® batten system |
| Warranty | 1 year / 100 Hours manufacturing defects only |
In the Box
- Standard Glider Backpack or light clinch bag
- Glider stuff bag
- Closing belt
- Riser sock
- Wind sock
- Warranty, stickers, and repair kit
Characteristics
-
PITCH STABILITY
This is immediately noticeable when kiting the wing, if you try to create “dolphin” movements in the air you will understand exactly what we mean! Contrary to a Single Skin, you are not tossed around by the currents, the pilot is in control and will enjoy strong thermal conditions! The Hybrid has enough air mass and inertia to penetrate through the air rather then being controlled by the air.
-
ROLL STABILITY
Especially dominant with a paramotor – this wing is more roll stable than anything out there. With this wing, there will be NO roll oscillation what so ever!! When free flying, the pilot will notice that it is “hard” to perform wing-overs. This is due to the increased roll stability of this wing.
-
BRAKE PRESSSURE
Very very low! On a classic profile, the brakes need to be applied against the internal pressure of the wing. With the Hybrid, as with single skin designs the brakes create only drag and therefore are much more efficient. This wing feels accurate and precise, the brakes are progressive and constantly transmitting the air around you.
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TAKE OFF
Take-off speed is surprisingly slow. This helps tremendously in “not perfect” take-off conditions, or with uncooperative passenger! Back-wind of 5-7 [kmh] is not a problem with the Hybrid. Same goes for front launches with a paramotor, few steps and you are airborne. Inflation is as on superlight single-skin wings, it will come overhead and stay there!
-
LANDING
Compared to single surface wings, which tend to have very poor flair capabilities, the Apco Hybrid has a flair as good as traditional paragliders in class A or B, only better in that the wing has a very long and forgiving brake range, making manoeuvres such as butterfly landings particularly effective for top-landing.
-
FLARE
Contrary to single skin wings, the Hybrid flare is superb! Due to its high stall resistance and long brake travel, it flare is close to that of a normal wing!
-
THERMALLING
The Apco Hybrid has exceptional thermaling characteristics due to its low sink rate in turns and low airspeed capabilities. It will easily settle in a constant angle of bank turn in a thermal, requiring very little pitch or roll input once centred, resulting in a superior climb rate, which will have you at the top of the gaggle in no time.
Flying the Hybrid feels like the wing is “taming down” the conditions. 7 [m/s] thermals, will feel like 4 [m/s] with calm and peaceful behavior. -
PERFORMANCE
The Hybrid offers performance that is substantially higher than that of single skin gliders, and at trim speed, it is as good as a conventional glider. The custom Sharknose profile keeps the wing highly pressurised and collapse resistant throughout the speed range.
-
WING FEEDBACK
Feedback from the wing is always gentle with no surprises, even in rough air, but remains simple to understand. It requires surprisingly little active piloting to keep the wing inflated and on the desired heading.
-
Commercial Pilots
Coming in at only 4 [kg] including standard webbing risers, (not flimsy rope risers!)
Add to this the ease of take-off at nil wind or even back-wind, and it’s perfect for commercial tandem. It has better performance than a single skin with proven Safety. It will make your life so much easier with a better, more enjoyable flying experience for your passenger. -
HYBRID
Best of both worlds, rolled into one lightweight, compact package.
Features
-
EHP
Embed Hook-In Points
-
FAR
Flow Aligned Ribs (FAR – pat. pending)
-
APP
Automatic Pressurising Profile
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L/E FLEXON battens®
A system for improved launch, lighter weight, prolonged lifespan
-
3D Cut
Additional 3D cut on the leading edge for clean construction and improved profile definition
-
BBP
Air Extreme Ball bearing Pulleys ®
-
LSR
Latest laser cutting technology.
-
NBM
Integral built-in neodymium brake magnets
-
LNK
Integral V-Links Replace traditional rapide maillon on the Risers
Certification
Manual
Apco Hybrid Tandem Manual (Download Pdf)