- When the Stars Align -
EARTHEARTH
JUPITERJUPITER
PLUTOPLUTO

Luna 3

Speed performance

“More speed, more efficiency” – LUNA 3 will take you to another dimension!

Size

18 20 23 26 29
18 20 23 26 29
Size Luna 3

Specs

  18 20 23 26 29
Projected area (m²) 15.6 17.3 19.9 22.5 25.1
Flat area (m²) 18 20 23 26 29
Glider weight (kg) 4.5 4.8 5.3 5.7 6.1
Height (m) 6.2 6.5 7 7.4 7.9
Number of main lines (A/B/C) 3/4/3/2
Cells 57
Flat aspect ratio 5.6
Root chord (m) 2.2 2.4 2.5 2.7 2.8
Flat span (m) 10 10.6 11.3 12.1 12.7
Projected span (m) 8.2 8.6 9.2 9.8 10.4
Min speed (km/h) 24 - 29 23 - 29 23 - 28 23 - 28 23 - 28
Trim speed (km/h) 38 - 46 38 - 46 36 - 44 36 - 44 36 - 44
Speed trimmers open (km/h) 53 - 65 50 - 64 50 - 62 50 - 62 50 - 62
Top speed (km/h) 64 - 79 61 - 78 60 - 75 61 - 75 61 - 75
Max Power (kW / hp) 27 / 36
PPG weight range (kg) 70-120 80-130 90-140 105-160 130-200
Airworthiness Certificate Yes

The Speed measurements are at the minimum and maximum permitted weights

Info

The LUNA 3 is a reflex paramotor wing for intermediate and advanced pilots. It has a very high top speed and a wide speed range. Size is not always everything, but when it comes to the LUNA 3 it’s worth paying attention! Larger sizes with lower wing loadings are ideal for intermediate pilots. Smaller sizes flown at higher wing loadings are fast, dynamic craft that experienced pilots can push to the limits and have an absolute blast. While it’s not an out-and-out comp wing the LUNA 3’s speed, agility, stability and efficiency are all the ingredients you need to tackle the varied tasks of classic PPG comps.

The LUNA 3 is a complete redesign from first principles, and we’ve been growing, evolving and perfecting it for years. The easy launch, stable flight characteristics and good slow-speed ability make for stress-free flying on any voyage. The aerodynamic performance means good fuel economy – great for comps and XCs, and your pocket as you’ll get more kilometres from a tank of juice.

The new paramotor risers were a major project in themselves. They are adaptable. The LUNA 3 is delivered with the brakes and tip-steering on separate handles: an easier configuration for intermediate pilots. You can steer using the TST when on the bar with no risk of accidentally applying any brake. Experienced pilots can attach the tip-steering lines to the extra loop on the brake handle to convert to 2D steering. It allows precise manoeuvring with one set of handles.

Watch the warp speed! With full speed bar and full trimmers, the LUNA 3 18 at top of weight range will hit a top speed of 79km/h and the 23 will go to 75km/h.

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Tech

70km/h + top speed

The LUNA 3 has a very high top speed. Using full bar + trimmers together (expert pilots) the 18 reaches a maximum of 79km/h

135mm Speed Bar Travel

We have found 135mm to be the perfect amount of speed bar for our intermediate wings. This allows us to achieve maximum speed range while keeping well within the stability limits.

Hybrid handle w/2D

The brake handles have a two-finger rubber loop reducing the risk of loosing the handle and allowing the pilot to focus on what's important. The brake handles also have an attachment point for the TST (tip-steering) lines, essentially converting into 2D steering system. With 2D steering, the brakes and tip-steering are both controlled by one handle

Alula Simulation Software

The future of glider design depends largely on simulations. Instead of designing and producing prototypes one by one, our unique in-house structural / aero simulation program, ALULA, enables us to accurately simulate hundreds of virtual prototypes. We test over 200 virtual prototypes for each paraglider, using 50 million iterations of the structural / aero calculations.

Chord Cut Billow (CCB)

Chord Cut Billow technology has been developed to improve the form friction, glider stability and overall performance of our paragliders. Two seams run chord-wise across the top panels of the leading edge to accommodate the panel ballooning that happens when the wing is inflated. Up to five centimetres of excess material is created on the sides of an inflated flat panel bending over a wing profile. Chord Cut Billow technology absorbs the material with a 3D panel resulting in fewer ripples and improved rib profile shape and stability.

Elliptical arc

A high and elliptical arc gives the wing good handling, and makes it more stable under power.

High or low hangpoint ready

In order to maximise versatility this wing caters to both low and high hangpoint paramotors. Brake pulley loops, tip-steering pulleys and snap locks are fitted for both positions, making the switch quick and easy.

Tip Steering Toggles (TST)

The tip steering toggles allow for simple and efficient directional control without using the brakes when flying accelerated. The tip-steering and brake handles are separate, but there is an attachment loop on the brake handle to attach the tip-steering lines to, converting them for 2D steering. This allows more precise control of the wing, but is an advanced technique so we have made it optional.

Luna 3 Speed Risers

The LUNA 3 risers have a whopping 40cm of travel with 19cm on the trimmers and 21cm travel on the speed bar which means a very wide speed range and a ultra fast top speed. There is also a tip-steering handle, or the TST line that can be attached to the brake handle for 2D steering (experts).

Progressive Stability

Progressive stability has been designed into all our gliders to help pilots feel turbulence and avoid it. This makes for safer and more comfortable flying.

Replaceable brake pulleys

With a simple around-and-through, you can easily replace those squeaky old brake pulleys or switch them for rings.

Fast Reflex Profile

A new generation fast reflex profile has been designed into the Luna 3 improving recovery from deflation while maintaining stability even at high speeds.

Strong Shark Nose

An ultra aggressive shark nose optimises stability at all speeds. Not all sharks are created equal and BGD’s shark noses are very aggressive, maximising the effects of the technology.

Target

Confirmed aerial motor-heads – are you ready for another dimension? The LUNA 3 is fast and efficient with so-sweet handling, and it’s up for everything! Landscape explorations, A-to-B commuting or classic comps if that’s your thing. Plus, you’ll be the most cosmic-looking craft in the sky!


Designer's notes

The new paramotor risers are the result of a year-long development, requiring extensive efforts from the whole team. 19cm travel on the trimmers and 21cm travel on the speed bar give a very wide speed range and a fast top speed. Most pilots will use either trimmers or speed bar, but experienced XC pilots can use both together to unleash the incredible full speed potential of the LUNA 3.

The tip steering system allows for simple and efficient directional control without using the brakes when flying accelerated or for long XC flights. For more advanced pilots there is a loop on the brake handle to attach the TST lines to convert to 2D steering. This allows more precise control of the wing, is excellent for freestyle, but is an advanced technique so we made it optional.

We also redesigned the brake handles. A two-finger loop allows your fingers to retain the handles so you can freely use the throttle. It is a game-changer during pre-flight preparation. The handle will safely stay at the back of your hand while you start the engine, sort out the lines, adjust trimmers and go full throttle. The risk of the handle going through the propeller is drastically reduced.

Tom’s notes:
I think the LUNA 3 will remain as a milestone in my career as a PPG wing designer. The first few prototypes flew fine, but Pasquale and the rest of the team kept asking for more speed, more efficiency, keeping the fun and safety of the existing designs. I had to take a step back and take on the challenge of simulating gliders at full speed, with trimmers + accelerator ranges of more than 40cm. After three months working on my code I finally cracked ‘the full speed problem’. The next prototype was from another dimension: 70kmh+ top speed, high efficiency, and great stability. Pasquale’s extensive work on the brakes then gave it outstanding handling and flare authority, and the Luna3 was born.

Pasquale’s notes:
Working on the development of LUNA 3 was exciting, every time a prototype arrived to test it was a surprise of innovation and new design ideas, so prototype after prototype and changes after changes a wing was obtained that met all the requirements without compromise. BGD's philosophy is to try new paths and experiment with new solutions. It is certainly more challenging but ultimately very satisfying.

Flying Level / Style

Package includes

Paraglider / Compression strap / Riser bag / Stuff sack / Rucksack / Repair cloth / Manual card / BGD stickers / BGD giveaway

Material

Top surface Porcher Skytex 38g/m²
Nose reinforcing Perlon / F.line
Lower lines Edelrid Magix Pro Dry 8001U and PPSL
Bottom surface Porcher Eazyfly
Internal structure Porcher Skytex Hard 40g/m²
Risers 12mm black Kevlar/nylon webbing
Pulleys Harken and Sprenger
Top lines Edelrid Magix Pro Dry 8001U
Middle lines Edelrid Magix Pro Dry 8001U
Brakes Liros DSL