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BHL2-23 "Midnight"
BARRETINA HYPER LITE 2 SIZE 23 m2

This single skin paraglider prototype was built by the french constructor Arnaud Martínez, in Germany.
The paraglider has been completed in August 2015.

Dune du Pilat BHL2 23 m2
BHL2 23 "Midnight" flying Dune du Pilat (june 2017)

BHL2 23 Midnight
BHL2 23 "Midnight" in the Dune du Pilat (june 2017)


BHL2 23 m2 Dune du Pilat (june 2017)

 BHL2-23
BHL2-23 Midnight

1. Technical specifications  BHL2 23 m2 "Midnight"

Model
 BHL2 23 m2 "Midnight"
Surface
 23 m2
Flat span
 10.69 m
Flat AR
 5
Panels
 33
Weight range
 -
Anchors per rib
 4, and 3 (near tips)
Risers
 3 Dyneema rope 6 mm 12 strands
Lines
 Dyneema 1.1 mm
Brakes
 Red spectra 1.2mm
Reinforcements
 PU coated nylon (420D)
Fabric
 Spinnaker CX2 42g/sqm one side coated
Rods
 2.7 mm Nylon
Certification No

2. Notes and sumary description

Below the summary description of the construction and the first test flight, according to the descriptions of the builder:
The glider is a hybrid between a BHL2 JPS and a BHL2 classic (*). Being my first glider to build, I kind of over designed the reinforcements and materials. It took me three months of work, 5 hours per day after my day job, four days a week, no weekend (so about 20hrs per week). The glider with risers and reversible mountain harness/backpack weights together 3.5 kg, and fits easy in the volume of a cabin luggage. That's the number one benefit if you ask me.

The risers are dyneema rope, 6mm, 12 strands, with the loops spliced and locked with a few stitches. Each riser is rated for around three tons...I know...

The fabric is spinnaker CX2 42g/sqm coated on one side only (this fabric is strong!).

The ribs are somewhat over engineered, with a lot of stitching, semi circles on top and bottom, made from PU coated nylon (420D).

The edges of the sawtooth is also reinforced with a strip of 420D PU coated nylon, way too strong actually.

The lines are dyneema 1.1mm (kite line), brakes are red spectra 1.2mm (fishing line), all of them have end loops sewn (I load tested 115kg to failure on one line).

The anchor points are polyester gross grain strips 10mm wide. That's possibly the only part I didn't go crazy about.

The rods are 2.7mm diameter nylon, more commonly used as blades in these grass trimmers.

I'm very happy with the result, I've tried it already several times from a training hill with moderate wind, and this wing does the job perfectly, even soared it for a while. It's really light and small when packed, the perfect friend for hike and fly.

(*) This prototype uses the lines of the JPS model. Also the JPS ribs, but modified in sawtooth form. The panels of the Classic model.

3. Photos of the construction process
1
1. Rib fully assembled		 1
2. Attachement points and reinforcements
1
3. Edges of the sawtooth reinforced with a strip of 420D PU coated nylon		 1
4. Sewing vertex of the triangles
1
5. Spinnaker CX2 42g/sqm coated on one side
 1
6. Risers in dyneema rope 6 mm 12 strands
1
7. The glider with risers and reversible mountain harness/backpack
weights together 3.5 kg		 1
8. Sewing lines. Using special template to guide the seam accurately.
1
9. First inflation tests, on August 2015		 1
10. First tests on training hill, August 2015
All photos by Arnaud Martínez



LAB NOTE: Build a paraglider at home is a very complicated task (even simple skin), and requires many hours of work. Previous experience is required, and very inventive. As always remember that: The free flight implies risks that can only be known and they can be controled with a suitable formation on the part of a recognized school. Not test wings without knowing their functioning. The construction and test of experimental wings without certifying requires deep knowledge of what is being made.

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