Gradient Golden

The Gradient Golden is a Czech single-place, paraglider designed and produced by Gradient sro of Prague. Originally produced in the mid-2000s, it was still in production in 2016 as the Golden 4.[1]

Golden
Role Paraglider
National origin Czech Republic
Manufacturer Gradient sro
Status In production (Golden 4, 2016)

Design and development

The Golden was designed as an intermediate glider and is the manufacturer's best selling model. The models are each named for their approximate wing area in square metres.[1][2]

The Golden 4 is made from Porcher Marine Everlast fabric.[2]

Variants
Golden 24
Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 11.34 m (37.2 ft) span wing has a wing area of 24.28 m2 (261.3 sq ft), 42 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.3:1. The pilot weight range is 65 to 85 kg (143 to 187 lb). The glider model is DHV 1-2 certified.[1]
Golden 26
Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its 11.93 m (39.1 ft) span wing has a wing area of 26.86 m2 (289.1 sq ft), 42 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.3:1. The pilot weight range is 75 to 95 kg (165 to 209 lb). The glider model is DHV 1-2 certified.[1]
Golden 28
Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 12.52 m (41.1 ft) span wing has a wing area of 29.58 m2 (318.4 sq ft), 42 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.3:1. The pilot weight range is 85 to 110 kg (187 to 243 lb). The glider model is DHV 1-2 certified.[1]
Golden 30
Extra large-sized model for much heavier pilots. Its 13.02 m (42.7 ft) span wing has a wing area of 31.99 m2 (344.3 sq ft), 42 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.3:1. The pilot weight range is 100 to 130 kg (220 to 287 lb). The glider model is DHV 1-2 certified.[1]
Golden 3 22
Extra small-sized model for very light pilots. Its 10.96 m (36.0 ft) span wing has a wing area of 22.40 m2 (241.1 sq ft), 50 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.37:1. The takeoff weight range is 62 to 77 kg (137 to 170 lb). The glider model is EN/LTF B/1-2 certified and has a glide ratio of 8.5:1.[3]
Golden 3 24
Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 11.44 m (37.5 ft) span wing has a wing area of 24.37 m2 (262.3 sq ft), 50 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.37:1. The takeoff weight range is 75 to 90 kg (165 to 198 lb). The glider model is EN/LTF B/1-2 certified and has a glide ratio of 8.5:1.[3]
Golden 3 26
Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its 11.88 m (39.0 ft) span wing has a wing area of 26.54 m2 (285.7 sq ft), 50 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.37:1. The takeoff weight range is 85 to 100 kg (187 to 220 lb). The glider model is EN/LTF B/1-2 certified and has a glide ratio of 8.5:1.[3]
Golden 3 28
Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 12.46 m (40.9 ft) span wing has a wing area of 29.92 m2 (322.1 sq ft), 50 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.37:1. The takeoff weight range is 95 to 115 kg (209 to 254 lb). The glider model is EN/LTF B/1-2 certified and has a glide ratio of 8.5:1.[3]
Golden 3 30
Extra large-sized model for much heavier pilots. Its 12.96 m (42.5 ft) span wing has a wing area of 31.28 m2 (336.7 sq ft), 50 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.37:1. The takeoff weight range is 110 to 130 kg (243 to 287 lb). The glider model is EN/LTF B/1-2 certified and has a glide ratio of 8.5:1.[3]
Golden 4 22
Extra small-sized model for very light pilots. Its 10.89 m (35.7 ft) span wing has a wing area of 22.42 m2 (241.3 sq ft), 51 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.3:1. The takeoff weight range is 62 to 77 kg (137 to 170 lb). The glider model is EN/LTF B certified.[4]
Golden 4 24
Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 11.35 m (37.2 ft) span wing has a wing area of 24.40 m2 (262.6 sq ft), 51 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.3:1. The takeoff weight range is 75 to 90 kg (165 to 198 lb). The glider model is EN/LTF B certified.[4]
Golden 4 26
Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its 11.86 m (38.9 ft) span wing has a wing area of 26.57 m2 (286.0 sq ft), 51 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.3:1. The takeoff weight range is 85 to 100 kg (187 to 220 lb). The glider model is EN/LTF B certified.[4]
Golden 4 28
Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 12.38 m (40.6 ft) span wing has a wing area of 28.95 m2 (311.6 sq ft), 51 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.3:1. The takeoff weight range is 95 to 115 kg (209 to 254 lb). The glider model is EN/LTF B certified.[4]
Golden 4 30
Extra large-sized model for much heavier pilots. Its 12.88 m (42.3 ft) span wing has a wing area of 31.30 m2 (336.9 sq ft), 51 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.3:1. The takeoff weight range is 100 to 130 kg (220 to 287 lb). The glider model is EN/LTF B certified.[4]

Specifications (Golden 26)

Data from Bertrand[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Wingspan: 11.93 m (39 ft 2 in)
  • Wing area: 26.86 m2 (289.1 sq ft)
  • Aspect ratio: 5.3:1

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 50 km/h (31 mph, 27 kn)
  • Rate of sink: 1.1 m/s (220 ft/min)

References
  1. Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 19. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
  2. "Gradient Golden 4". Gradient sro. Archived from the original on 25 June 2016. Retrieved 2 June 2016.
  3. "Gradient Golden 3 Technical Data". Gradient sro. Archived from the original on 25 June 2016. Retrieved 2 June 2016.
  4. "Gradient Golden 4 Technical Data". Gradient sro. Archived from the original on 25 June 2016. Retrieved 2 June 2016.
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