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Review of Windtech Serak
by Steve Uzochukwu
The Windtech Serak is a recent entry into the very fiercely competitive DHV1-2 market, a sector which now represents about 70% of the paragliding market. The Serak is aimed at the upper half of this sector, targeted at pilots ranging from those into their second or third season in the sport up to experienced cross-country pilots. In the Windtech range the Serak falls between the new entry-level DHV1, Tonic and the top-end DHV 2 high-performance intermediate Quarx.
Windtech are a Spanish company based at Gijon on the North Atlantic coast. They've been building gliders at their factory there since the mid-199Os, became world players after the release of the many-celled Kronos, and now make the well known Quarx, Ambar and Silex. The factory is right next to some coastal cliffs where the latest prototypes can be test flown i mmediately they are finished. Gabriel Canada and Alvaro Valdez are the co-directors of the company; Gabriel is the man in charge of marketing and promotion, and Alvaro is the quiet one in the background who is responsible for the designs. UK importer is top competition pilot Carlo Borsattino, who also deals with the Windtech Kitesurf range.
Build
The gliders are made of Porcher Marine Skytex.The upper and lower panels are made with 44g version, and the ribs with stronger (SSg)material to prevent any aerofoil deformation.The line layout has only 22 attachment points per riser and two cascades of lines, reducing the amount of line used and thus drag.The glider has an intricateV-rib design that avoids the need for the ribs to run the full length of the aerofoil, saving weight. Other innovations include alterations to the design of theV-ribs as the cell width gets smaller towards the tips, maintaining the optimum shape and rigidity across the entire span of the glider.AII stitching on the top surface is internal. Compression straps (undersurface reinforcements) are used between cascades on A, B and C lines. Observing the Serak being inflated reveals the detail of theV-ribs and compression straps, and a top quality sail; it has a simple but pleasing two-colour scheme on the top surface and one colour below. All-up weights cover from 70kg 125kg total flying weight in three sizes.The glider is supplied with a large bag, well featured with extra pockets and adjustable for volume.
The glider has a four riser system, with the speed system pulling A- and B-risers first, engaging the C-riser after one centimetre, pulling it by half as much as the As and Bs.The risers have plastic-insert line tidies inside the maillons.The A-risers are clearly identified by coloured webbing and are split to facilitate pulling in big ears.The brakes are parked by plastic-covered magnets, totally smooth to prevent lines getting caught on them.The speed system cord ends in Bru mmel hooks, making for very easy connection and disconnection of the glider from the harness.The Serak is supplied with a very comprehensive manual, repair patches and a Windtech two-stage speed bar.
At my weight I was between the medium and large sizes so I flew both, at an all-up weight of 103kg.The expectation would be that the smaller size would be faster and more agile but with a worse sink rate. Sometimes canopies aren't agile or sharp on the very light end of their weight range, a problem with choosing a larger size.
On the Ground
The Serak sits in the middle ground amongst the high end 1-2s when it comes to ease of ground handling. Alpine launches are very easy even in nil wind, with the canopy coming straight up and requiring no special technique. Launching in light to medium winds is also simplicity itself. In strong winds slightly more care is needed, getting the wall built and ensuring the leading edge is level before gently initiating the pull up will avoid you having to start again. Whilst waiting in a moderate wind with the glider inflated above your head, it very clearly signals its desire to fly. Gusts lift you rather than dropping the canopy back.
In the Air
In the air the smaller, more heavily loaded (M-size) glider strikes you straightaway as very agile. Weight shift helps it into turns but this glider only needs a tug on the brakes to do an i mmediate sharp turn. It's quite simply one of the most responsive 1-2s about. Wingovers are easy as one becomes more familiar with the glider, and the energy retention is excellent.The Serak also possesses that rare quality of being very solid yet very manoeuvrable. Trim speed is quite high and flaring the glider requires a wrap to be taken and a deep, full flare when landing in nil wind. It's possible to fly the glider slowly: speed range on the brakes is very good and the sink rate doesn't seem to suffer when the glider is well loaded.
Flying the larger (L-size) Serak, the agility is slightly reduced but even at the very bottom of the weight range it is capable of running rings round a good majority of gliders. Energy retention is also very good and the glider feels very solid. Even at the bottom end of the weight range trim speed is still good - it appears to be about the same as most other comparable gliders at mid-weight - and there was no problem with collapses or with wake turbulence from other gliders. I ballasted up to test the middle of the weight range, and here the Serak showed its best flying behaviour; it's clear that it's best flown at this kind of weight.
Big ears are easy to initiate using the outer A-riser They have to be firmly held in and will pop out i mmediately they are released without any pilot input. Asy mmetrics entered in the same manner also pop out i mmediately, and even falling into the closed side doesn't provoke much of a turn.To view the excellent passive safety of the Serak (and test data on other gliders), visit;
www.dhv.de/DHVonlineDB/source/technicsearchpage.php?lang=E.
The glider accelerates quite quickly when the speed bar is used but without pitching. Coming off the speed bar doesn't result in the glider dropping behind, but it does climb out - again energy is well retained. Particularly between trim speed and the half-bar position the glider seems very stable and the glide doesn't appear to suffer. This region of the polar invites frequent use for small transitions and enhances the capabilities of the glider. It feels very quick on full bar even when flown at mid-range weights; several other pilots flying alongside commented on this.
It is simply extraordinary to get this combination of razor-sharp handling and solidity. The glider could be steered through the large crowds on a busy, scratchy day on a site in Southern England, carefully whizzing around low-airtime pilots, joining thermals without getting in other pilots way and also being able to thermal very low, very tightly with the knowledge that it could be made to increase its turn rate dramatically without the fear of spin. One turn reversal can have you in a wingover, if that's what you want!
Feedback via the harness tells you what the air around you is doing but without chucking you about, and the chest strap setting to achieve this doesn't seem to be critical. Weight shift isn't needed, as there's always some brake travel in hand. Brakes may need a wrap, but when this is done the position whilst flying around in ridge lift at min. sink is ideal. Brake pressure is light to medium, increasing progressively with travel. Brake pressure seemed ideal (even flying slowly with plenty of brake isn't tiring) but this is very much matter of taste. Inflation pressure seems to be high and the only minor collapse I had popped out very quickly without intervention
For the experienced pilot downgrading, the Serak's ability to change direction in the twinkling of an eye and its high trim speed make for a delightful glider. In very small bubbles you can simply dart about and make the most of it.You'll also be able to turn inside those who fly too wide in thermals without any stress or effort.
For the newer pilot upgrading, the Serak offers large amounts of manoeuvrability without the need to constantly control the glider in pitch, which in the past has been one of the drawbacks of some nimble gliders.There are, however, pilots to whom the Serak may offer manoeuvrability beyond their abilities to use or cope with. However, given recent improvements in training gliders, schools are now turning out some pilots capable of handling and enjoying the agility of the Serak as a second glider when they've done the necessary groundwork!
The Serak is up there with all the other high-end 1-2s in terms of sink rate, glide, workmanship and quality of materials used. Where it stands head and shoulders above the rest is in its manoeuvrability, inviting comparisons with gazelles or swifts in the field of nimbleness and agility. Its energy retention is very good and pitch damping good. With the Quarx behind them and now the Serak, Windtech are acquiring a reputation for building well-constructed gliders with very good handling.
Importer's comment
The Serak is ideal for a wide variety of pilots, from second-time buyers looking for nimbleness and a performance boost, to experienced XC and competition pilots seeking responsive energy and performance without having to hang on for their lives when conditions liven up.Trim speed is high for a DHV 1-2 and the sink rate excellent, giving remarkable glide across the entire speed range; the Serak doesn't suffer on into-wind glides in the way you'd expect from a DHV 1-2. It stays solid and resistant to tucking even on full bar; in lift a little brake improves the sink rate even more.
Serak performance is on a par with many DHV2s, but it's far easier and more forgiving to fly. An exceptional glider, by no means one of the 'token' DHV I -2's out there. Independent pruebas, consolidated by feedback from pilots, agree wholeheartedly.
Carlo Borsattino, Windtech UK
Specification
| Model |
S |
M |
L |
| area (flat, m2) |
25.81 |
27.55 |
30.80 |
| span (flat, m) |
11.42 |
11.80 |
12.33 |
| aspect ratio |
5.05 |
5.05 |
5.05 |
| nº cells |
52 |
52 |
52 |
| max. chord (m) |
2.82 |
2.91 |
3.04 |
| all-up weight (kg) |
70-90 |
85-105 |
100-125 |
| DHV certification |
1-2 |
1-2 |
1-2 |
| guarantee |
1 Year materials & manufacturing defects |
| price |
To be advised |
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