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gnuA4 sizes 24, 27, 31 m2
gnu-A+
Figure 1. Planform 3D view

gnu-A+
Figure 2. 3D view

gnu-A+
Figure 3. Front view

1. DESCRIPTION

gnu-A, or gnu "A", is the beginner paraglider from Laboratori d'envol. As its name suggests, the desired level of difficulty will be "A" or even "A-". The first design has been completed on February 2015, using the program LEPARAGLIDING version 2.40. Later updates in May 2019 using LEPARAGLIDING 2.96 includes mini-ribs, nylon rods, and new calage, and the design was renamed gnuA+ and later gnuA4 ( gnuA+=gnuA4 :-) ). Main features: 27 cells, 4.3 moderate aspect ratio, 20% thicker profile "gnuA" based on gnuLAB3 airfoil, large sizes, very stable... This wing is completely defined in digital format, in a compressed folder, which contains the subfolders “dxf” (edited CAD files), “lep” (LEPARAGLIDING files), "pre1.5" (pre-processor files, “png” (png illustrative files).

2. TECHNICAL ESPECIFICATIONS gnu-A+ (gnuA4)

Size
 S
 M-L
 XL
XL+
Surface (m2)
 24 m2
 27.02
 31 m2
32 m2
Flat span (m)
 10.16
 10.78
 11.55
Flat AR
 4.30
 4.30
 4.30
Panels
 27
 27
 27
Closed cells
 6 (3 in each tip) 6 (3 in each tip)
 6 (3 in each tip)
Weight range (Kg)
 50-75
 70-100
 90-120
95-125
Anchors per rib
 4
 4 4
Risers
 3
 3
 3
Extrados and intrados
 ripstop 40 gr/m2 ripstop 40 gr/m2 ripstop 40 gr/m2
Ribs
 ripstop 40 gr/m2 hard ripstop 40 gr/m2 hard
 ripstop 40 gr/m2 hard
Lines (m)
 296.14
 314.24
 336.92
Certification
 No
 No
 No
No


3. DATA FILES AND PLANS

LEparagliding-2.96 input and output files. DXF 2D and 3D edited files, ready to build. PDF full report and plans.
pre-procesor and leparagliding
data files
 pre-data.txt  leparagliding.txt
Airfoils
 gnua.txt  gnuat.txt
Output txt files
 lep-out.txt lines.txt
PDF Design report and plans
 20210724 gnuA4-24.pdf
20210724 gnuA4-27.pdf
20210724 gnuA4-31.pdf
20210724 gnuA4-32.pdf
All files in one zip.
Includes DXF plans for sizes S,M-L,XL,XL+
 20210724 gnuA4-24.zip
20210724 gnuA4-27.zip
20210724 gnuA4-31.zip
20210724 gnuA4-32.zip


4. CONSTRUCTION

Origin

Origin is the gnuA4 ML 27 m2 prototype by Lance Kraftenberg
TriCities, Washington (WA), USA. Proto finished in february 2021. Now in training hill tests.

1 01. Plans Tabloid 720 pages
01. Plans Tabloid 720 pages
 2 03. Preparing Ribs
03. Preparing Ribs
3 04. Plans prepared and ready for fabric
04. Plans prepared and ready for fabric
 4 07. Cutting Extrados Panel (7)
07. Cutting Extrados Panel (7)
5 08. Cutting Intrados Panels (2)
08. Cutting Intrados Panels (2)
 6 10. Rib 1
10. Rib 1
7 12. Construction Steps
12. Construction Steps
 8 15. Wing tip attachment point
15. Wing tip attachment point
9 17. Rib 13 Rod Pocket
17. Rib 13 Rod Pocket
 10 19. Sewing Extrados 14 and 13 to Rib 13
19. Sewing Extrados 14 and 13 to Rib 13
11 19. Sewing Intrados 14 and 13 to Rib 13
19. Sewing Intrados 14 and 13 to Rib 13
 12 20. Inserting Nylon Rod Into Rod Pocket
20. Inserting Nylon Rod Into Rod Pocket
13 21. Heming Leading Edge With 1 Inch Hem Tape
21. Heming Leading Edge With 1 Inch Hem Tape
 14 22. Heming Leading Edge Folded Over 1 Inch Hem Tape
22. Heming Leading Edge Folded Over 1 Inch Hem Tape
15 23. Leading Edge Ready
23. Leading Edge Ready
 16 24. Extrados 10 Leading Edge Ready
24. Extrados 10 Leading Edge Ready
17 28. Right Wing Open Cells 12 and 11
28. Right Wing Open Cells 12 and 11
 18 32. Let and Right Wing Cells 14 to 10
32. Let and Right Wing Cells 14 to 10
19 36. Left Wing Cells 14 to 8
36. Left Wing Cells 14 to 8
 20 37. Right Wing Cells 14 to 7
37. Right Wing Cells 14 to 7
21 38. Right Wing Cells 14 to 7
38. Right Wing Cells 14 to 7
 22 39. Origin - 1st attempt kiting
39. Origin - 1st attempt kiting
23 40. Origin - 1st attempt kiting 1
40. Origin - 1st attempt kiting 1


Note 2021-07-21 by Lance: "After doing more ground handling and paying particular attention to how the paraglider rises to vertical I realized I had been pulling the A-risers to help get it vertical. The paraglider wasn't getting vertical on it's own so I shortened the A-lines per your suggestion and that resolved the problem. I've had a few short tests on a training hill. It flies straight, feels stable and launches easily into the air after a short run. The paragliders reaction in turning seems correct for a EN A type paraglider. Although, I haven't done extensive maneuvering on these test flights so maybe I'll feel differently when I get full flight in. I'm hoping to shortly. The wind often has high gusts where I live here in the Pacific Northwest so it can be a challenge having a good flying day on days when I'm not working. Other than shortening the A-lines, I have no other suggestions for modifications. So far I've enjoyed this paraglider and think it's a great design!"

gnuA4-CH

gnuA4-CH is the 31 m2 prototype by Zhu Guoqiang, Chengdu (Sichuan, China)

"exceeding expectations..."


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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