Snake XX - Dudek

Design and purpose

Highest performance available for fast slalom courses, with possibly best agility. It’s truly a champion’s wing. Despite highest aspirations we did our best to preserve legendary stability, known from our other reflex paragliders.

Development of the Snake XX was focused on creating the best performance for more and more popular slalom competitions. Shark nose profile gives better airflow on the leading edge and higher air pressure within canopy at any angle of attack. The leading edge features synthetic rods (Flexi Edge Technology), considerably improving launch characteristics and protecting against collapses at high speeds. Additionally, front part of the canopy is further stabilised with the LE2R technology (Leading Edge Double Reinforcements). Higher aspect ratio, a bit more cells and modified arc gives result in better economy and agility of the wing.

See movie

The Snake XX however distinctly differs from the original Snake; it is faster, more agile and more efficient, yet definitely more demanding and not quite forgiving errors. It is dedicated for advanced pilots (at least 300 hrs paramotor time on similar class of wings, i.e. Snake, Hadron, Hadron 1.1). These requirements are not excessive; for your own safety please observe them rigorously.

The Snake XX is a 4-liner: high speed and stability can be successfully matched only in this riser scheme, allowing for precise pressure distribution within all reflex range.
B riser is anchored on a pulley, minimising speed system forces (previously it was a simple quicklink).

At Dudek Paragliders we improve not only flight performance, but also constantly care for improvements in production quality. Accordingly, the Snake XX is produced from highest quality Porcher Skytex materials. Coupled with laser cutting, precise sewing and finish of every small detail this makes the Snake XX a masterpiece.

Obviously, the Snake XX is a member of new art family – the XX Four Elements, as Air, Water, Earth and Fire.
The paraglider is currently available in 5 sizes – 15, 16, 18, 20 and 22. We recommend to choose the size so that the wing load ratio stays within 6,5 – 9 kg/m2 range.

Great success of the original Snake forces us to maintain its production for the time being, so that proficient slalom pilots can freely choose a paraglider best suited to their needs.

The Snake XX as standard is equipped with both 2D and PA steering systems (PA stands for Power Attack, or Paap Kolar system).
Since the main steering is divided, experienced pilot can adjust progression of trailing edge action to his needs.

Lower line layers are made of sheathed lines, with non-sheathed rest.

See movie

The trimmer and speed systems change the angle of attack and raise the trailing edge of the wing, so that projected surface and chord are diminished by some 15%. This increases the wing loading and speed ofthe paraglider, while shifting the aerofoil’s centre of pressure forwards increases its pitch stability. As a result, the Snake has better resistance to collapses and greater aspect ratio, meaning much better performance (especially at high speeds).

Lessened reflex of the Snake on closed trimmers is partly compensated for by its smaller size regarding the take-off weight. This results in higher wing loading.

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).

LE2R - Leading Edge Double Reinforcements

Leading Edge Double Reinforcements are additional reinforcements between the cells, which stiffen the leading edge and keep the profile ‘clean’ during the flight at full speed.

DRA - Dudek Reflex Airfoil

DRA – Dudek Reflex Airfoil -applied in PPG wings fully autostabilised arofoil, based on long years of research and experience. In our variant we managed to get rid of typical flaws associated with these aerofoils.

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.

Risers functionality

Used solutions

TCT - Triple Comfort Toggle

An easy conversion from hard through medium to soft brake handles. Equippped with a swivel adn Easy Keeper.
Available standard (bigger) and short (smaller) versions.

EK - Easy Keeper

Indigenous way to hold the brake handles at the risers that keeps them firmly in place, while both attaching and releasing goes smoothly and easily. Used in most of our handles (TCT, ACT, SCT).

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.

SS - Speed System

A system of lines and pulleys sewn to the appropriate straps, connected to the bar hanging under the harness. It enables smooth adjustment of the angle of attack during the flight.

ALC Plus - Alternative Steering System +

ALC+ allows for aggressive turns even at full speed without excessive alteration of the reflex airofoil. It is especially important in case of bigger canopies, inherently haunted by significant steering forces and low agility. When necessary, only the main steering handle can be used, with the ALC+ system ignored (rendering it inactive).

TST - Tip Steering Toggles

Our original idea, featuring additional miniature handles that steer the stabilizers. It is a great improvement on long flights, when opened trimmers and full speedbar make steering much harder.

2D - Steering System

2D system is generally similar to the classic one – pilot has but two main steering handles to steer. However, it’s operation is significantly different. Due to division of main steering lines (there are two for each side now, with one of them going outside of the pulley), an experienced pilot can modify steering progression according to his own preferences.

ELR - Easy Launch Riser

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

TCL - Tip Control Line

TCL (Tip Control Line) allows you to make corrections and turns even at full speed, without too much interference with the reflex profile.

PA- Power Attack System

The PA (also known as Paap Kolar system) merges speed system with trimmer operation. It is devised only for competitors, understanding its effects and all difficulties involved.

The general idea is simple: pressing the speedbar simultaneously releases the trimmers (and vice versa, releasing speedbar closes the trimmers).

Colours

Air

See

Earth

See

Fire

See

Water

See

Parameters

Weight ranges

TECHNICAL DATA

Name – size	15	16	18	20	22	28
Approval – ULM identification	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes
Number of cells	60	60	60	60	60	60
Wing area flat [m²]	15.00	16.00	18.00	20.00	22.00	28.00
Wing area projected [m²]	12.94	13.81	15.53	17.26	18.98	24.16
Wingspan flat [m]	9.40	9.71	10.30	10.86	11.39	12.85
Wingspan projected [m]	7.62	7.86	8.34	8.79	9.22	10.41
Aspect ratio flat	5,90
Aspect ratio projected	4,48
Sink rate [m/s]	min = 1.3 (+/- 0.2 m/s)
Speed* [km/h]	min = 30 ; trim = 46-60 ; max = 75 (+/- 5 km/h)*
Lines + risers length [m]	5.64	5.83	6.18	6.52	6.83	7.71
Total lines length [m]	251.41	260	276.43	291.96	306.74	347.43
Total ake-off weight** [kg]	90-105**	95-115**	110-125**	120-135**	130-145**	160-195**
Max take-off weight – competition*** [kg]	135***	145***	150***	160***	170***	230***
Distance betwen risers [cm]	45	45	45	45	45	45
Canopy weight [kg]	4.4	4.6	5.0	5.3	5.8	6.8
Lines	Edelrid A-8000U: 050; 090; 130 / Liros TSL: 090 & 140 & 190 & 280
Cloth	Porcher Sport 38 g/m2 / Dominico tex 34 g/m2 / Porcher Sport Hard 40 g/m2 / SR Scrim / SR Laminate 180g

* Speeds are given as estimated for the middle wing size and the middle of its weight range. These speeds can vary within +/- 5 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.

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