Orca 4 - Dudek

Design and purpose

The paraglider is dedicated both for free-flying with passenger and for light paramotor trikes.

Four-row canopy with rigid cores (Dudek FlexiEdge technology) blends recent experiences of testing other prototypes featuring this technology with long-standing info received over years from happy users of the original Orca. The aspect ratio and other factors were carefully calculated in order to make full advantage of new technologies, while retaining optimal mix of passive safety, performance and steering for this class.

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Orca 4 as compared to Orca XX:

further improved already great launch parameters, precision and ease of steering as well as flaring efficiency during landing,
slightly increased aspect ratio,
minor design changes within canopy,
new, LTF-certified spreader bars.

The aerofoil used in Orca 4 has Shark-nose intakes – they help to internal pressure of the canopy stays stable within wide speed range.
Inner reinforcements, structural cores and mini-ribs perfectly shape and stabilize the aerofoil. Mini-ribs on the trailing edge keep it slim and decrease ballooning, radically improving the airflow. All in all, we succeeded in creating a perfectly balanced design, mixing great performance with safety and stability. In turbulence the paraglider behaves very reassuring and predictable, with efficient damping of both longitudinal and lateral oscillations.
Orca 4 easily inflates and rises, without lagging behind. Then it stabilizes and with slight brake action simply flies away. On the landing approach it is enough to brake down a little in order to markedly decrease speed with ensuing soft touchdown. All tandem pilots appreciate those features, so we’ve put quite an effort into polishing them to perfection.

Design solutions

Canopy of the Orca 4 body was designed in our CSG (Canopy Shape Guard) system, comprising a number of elements resulting in exceptional coherence and stability of the shape.
The aerofoil was perfected with DOA technology (Dudek Optimized Airfoil).
The air intakes are designed and executed in Shark-nose technology.
Another feature of the Orca 4 is the Flexi-Egde technology.

Careful selection of modern fabrics and design solutions brings about great strength and durability of the Orca 4. All materials used come from marked production batches, and each production step can be verified down to identification of specific worker and controller.

Orca 4 is delivered with tandem spreaders, with LTF certificate:

Orca 4 is manufactured under new technology, utilizing precision of the laser cutter. All stages of production process take place in Poland under strict supervision of the designer himself, thus ensuring highest European quality.

Design solutions, technologies and other functionalities are listed below in the Technologies section.

Construction solutions

Technologies, concepts

SN - Shark-nose

Airtakes designed and executed in Shark-nose technology meaning specific, concave shape of the reinforced profile area at its leading edge (the name comes form the very shape, reminding shark’s nose).

DOA - Dudek Optimized Airfoil

Dudek Optimized Airfoil It incorporates all our experiences stemming form previous designs and as a special feature is optimized with dedicated engineering software.

CSG - Canopy Shape Guard

CSG – Canopy Shape Guard – is our unique system controlling canopy coherence. It is because of this system that our wings are equally tensioned, smooth, stable and… simply remarkable.

LR - Laser Technology

Capabilities of the laser cutter allow for serial cutting of complicated shape narrow elements in large numbers, their optimal placing in relation to structure of the textile and highest possible precision of cut.

FET - Flexi Edge Technology

The leading edge is closed to the airflow, and its precise shape is kept with laminated cloth reinforcements, incorporating synthetic rods. The rods make the leading edge stiffer and smoother, bringing improvements in many areas – from easier inflation, through stiffening the canopy in flight to improved general airflow.

ACS - Auto Cleaning Slots

Dedicated slots automatically removing dirt from the wing tips.

MR - Mini-Ribs

Mini ribs speak for themselves – they are additionally introduced in the trailing edge between main ribs. Their task is to decrease ballooning (expanding and deformation of the cells) in this vital area af the aerofoil.

Keeping the rear part in shape reduces the drag induced behind trailing edge, thus improving general airflow and increasing airspeed.

Risers functionality

Used solutions

ACT - Adjustable Comfort Toggle

Steering handles with adjustable loop size. Finished with soft neoprene, equippped with a swivel adn Easy Keeper. Optional for all other paragliders. Especially acro flyers and speed riders praise this solution.

NP - Napy

Metal clasps for attaching the brakes to the risers.

TR - Trimmers

A trimming system for additional angle of attack regulation. Used mainly in PPG wings.
This system features replaceable trim straps. After prolonged or intensive operation they need to be replaced, as they get damaged by buckle edges.

ELR - Easy Launch Riser

Split ‘A’ riser makes for easier launch and ‘big ears’.

Colours

Energy

See

Harmony

See

Passion

See

Energy Classic-LE

See

Harmony Classic-LE

See

Passion Classic-LE

See

Parameters

Weight ranges

TECHNICAL DATA

Name – size	Orca 4 41
Certification	EN/LTF B
Approval – ULM identification	Yes
Number of cells	53
Surface area flat [m²]	41.00
Surface area projected [m²]	34.83
Span flat [m]	14.88
Span projected [m]	11.77
Aspect ratio flat	5.4
Aspect ratio projected	3.97
Sink [m/s]	min = 1.1; (+/- 0.1 m/s)
Speed* [km/h]	trym = 38; max = 50 (+/- 2 km/h)*
Weight of the wing [kg]	7.27
Total take-off weight – PG** [kg]	120-220**
Total take-off weight – PPG/PPGG*** [kg]	120-250***
Maximum symmetric control travel at maximum weight in flight [cm]	65.00
Distance betwen risers [cm]	55.00
Lines	Technora 1.2 ; 1.3 ; 1.5 ; 1.8 ; 2.3 A-8000 U-050
Cloth	Porcher 38 g/m² Porcher 32 g/m² Porcher Hard 38 g/m² and 32 g/m² SR-Scrim, SR Laminate 180 g/m²

* Speeds are given as estimated for the middle wing size and the middle of its weight range. These speeds can vary within +/- 2 km/h depending on the size, take-off weight and additional factors such as air pressure and temperature.

** The basic rule is to choose the size of the wing so that the take-off weight is in the middle of the weight range. Less weight on the wing (lower range take-off weight) can be considered for foot take-off, when flying in calmer conditions, or when we want to improve economy. More experienced pilots who want to fly dynamically, have higher speed and fly in more demanding wind conditions can consider greater wing loading (take-off weight in the upper range). This is a common option among trike users.

*** Note – the canopy significantly changes its behavior with increasing wing loading. The greater the loads, the greater skill and concentration of the pilot are required.

Downloads

Manuals and documentation Certificates

Zbigniew Gotkiewicz

Experienced test pilot and paragliding instructor. Polish national team member, paramotor designer, safety specialist, author of the "Summa of all mistakes in paragliding" book.

I have made over a thousand flights carrying passengers on an Orca. That wing is like an advertisement for nappies – always clean, always dry, always secure.

If you are professionals, then this is a perfect work tool, made for professionals by the professionals.