BGD Epic 2 Paraglider

BGD Epic 2 Paraglider EN/LTF-B

The pleasure of flying, the beautiful life! The EPIC 2 has impeccable safety and fun handling. It’s the perfect partner for playing locally, exploring cross-country or starting out in freestyle.

The EPIC 2 is very safe and reassuring, accessible to low-airtime pilots but with handling and performance that experienced pilots will love.

We’ve improved the launch behaviour – the wing comes up smoothly and easily without overshooting. In flight, it’s slightly faster than its predecessor (+1km/h at trim, +3km/h top speed) and has improved glide. It’s also a great climber, especially in weak lift.

Long brake travel means you won’t accidentally stall or spin, but it is precise on the brakes with direct, playful handling. The EPIC 2 is safe and reassuring in strong air, but does not hide the bumps. At BGD we think feedback is really important: the wing tells the pilot about the conditions, and the pilot can anticipate and avoid collapses.

Like on the BASE 2, the new EPIC 2 risers have a B/C steering system for piloting the wing while pushing the bar and flying at speed.

Colors

Ocean
Dune
Forest

Specs

Tech

B/C Speed Steering

The risers are equipped with a new ‘speed riser’. It attaches the back of the speed system to front of the C-line steering handle. This balances the load on the C-steering handle, making the C-steering system simple and light to use. Because the force is on the dimensionally stable Kevlar-reInforced riser and not the pulley, the glider stays in trim.

BGD Parasim Simulation Software

BGD’s in-house simulation program: high-fidelity aerodynamic simulations (CFD) predict flow characteristics around the wing, allowing us to optimise the shape to maximise performance.

BGD Feedback

Gliders that talk are safer. Safer gliders make pilots perform better. Better performing pilots fly further. Further flying pilots are happier pilots. BGD Feedback produces happier pilots!

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. They accommodate the panel ballooning that happens when the wing is inflated. Without CCB, up to five centimetres of excess material is created on the sides of an inflated flat panel when it bends over a wing profile. This results in wrinkles. Chord Cut Billow technology removes this excess material and the 3D panel has fewer ripples and improved rib profile shape and stability.

Multi-reefing system

An intricate brake reefing system reefs both symmetrically and asymmetrically, to give the glider really sharp handling and a neat, clean trailing edge.

Multi-Plastics

By using different sizes of stiff black Perlon® and flexible orange plastic in specific places, we have optimised the rigidity and softness of the wing along the span to achieve optimal progressive stability.

Integrated Line Layout

The line layout of our gliders is fully integrated into the wing design. Sail and lines are designed together, holistically. The cell widths and the internal straps that transfer the load though the sail are all designed according to the line layout. Even the panel shaping is matched with the line layout through detailed CAD simulation. The result is simple: fewer lines and stronger, faster, safer gliders.

Progressive Stability

Using our Parasim simulation program, BGD gliders are designed to have a stable and solid centre with progressively softer tips. This teaches pilots to predict and avoid deflations and stay aware of the air.

Snap Locks

BGD developed the first snaplocks for paragliding with Fidlock a decade ago. They have been refined and improved over the years and have now been widely adopted in the industry. A small focused magnet inside the catch with an internal locking system holds the handles in place. They release only when the handles are pulled down towards the pilot, so they don’t fall off while kiting, packing, or performing manoeuvres.

Single Shark Plastic

The EPIC 2 is the first wing where we have used a single strand of plastic reinforcement wire for the leading edge, instead of two pieces. It reduces weight, simplifies the design and maintains a solid leading edge improving launch and giving a longer brake range.

Triple finger diagonals

Triple Finger Diagonals create a more solid and durable wing. Across the whole chord of the profile, three-piece diagonal supports pass through holes in the ribs. They ensure structural integrity by avoiding the cloth being loaded in the bias direction. This is particularly important near the trailing edge where the profile is thin and shallower diagonal ribs supporting high loads.

Target

A safe, fun wing that’s a joy to fly. We’ve improved the performance while maximising safety, and the EPIC 2 is a versatile wing. It’s perfect for first cross-countries or a go-anywhere glider for weekend pilots. And, like the original Epic, it’s a great tool for getting to grips with your first freestyle moves. The test team can confirm it’s loads of fun for wingovers, SATs, heli’s and the like.

Designer’s notes

The EPIC has been a very successful Low B wing. It was important to us to keep the accessibility and handling it was known and loved for, while improving performance. It has great glide and climbing ability, and a bit more speed than the original.

While it might look quite similar at a glance, design-wise a lot has changed. It now has 45 cells and an aspect ratio of 5.2, both slightly higher than on the original EPIC. The internal supporting structure is more intricate, but despite all this the glider weighs the same, 4.9kg for the M. The riser set is new, and the lines are a mixture of unsheathed higher up, and sheathed at the bottom.

The Epic 2 has short rods in the leading edge and none in the trailing edge, so it is easy to pack. The single-piece leading edge plastics are made of different materials: stiffer purlin in the central section with softer, more flexible supports towards the tips. It’s a light, elegant and effective method for shaping the leading edge.

As on the BASE 2 and CURE 2, there is a double skin on the lower surface of the leading edge. The internal pressure of the wing pushes on this lower skin which helps pressure it to maintain a clean and stable leading edge.

Package includes

Paraglider / Compression strap / Riser bag / Inner bag / Rucksack / Repair cloth / BGD stickers / BGD gift / Manual card

Material

Download

Manual V7

Line layout

XS

XS Flight report

XS Certificate

XS Line lengths

S

S Flight Report

S Certificate

S Line lengths

M

M Flight report

M Certificate

M Line lengths

ML

ML Flight report

ML Certificate

ML Line lengths

L

L Flight report

L Certificate

L Line lengths