Apco Hybrid tandem paramotor glider - the simplest paramotor tandem

Apco Hybrid Tandem Paramotor – the simplest tandem paramotor

The Apco Hybrid profile has proven its worth and gained immense popularity worldwide. The Hybrid combines a classic profile with a single-skin design, resulting in a hybrid profile. The Tandem is based on the original Hybrid and has been further refined for use as a tandem glider. Its main advantages are: ✅ The easiest deployment characteristics currently available. Less prone to uncontrolled deployment than a standard glider profile. ✅ Low take-off speed – even for the most uncooperative passengers. ✅ Genuine flare capability – better than any single-skin glider. ✅ Very light brake pressure. ✅ Unrivalled roll and pitch stability – truly astonishing! The Hybrid Tandem has been developed for both paramotoring and mountain flying, offering you and your passengers the easiest and smoothest flying experience. EN-B certified with both trimmers closed and open, with a weight range of 110 to 190 kg. DGAC-approved * for use with paramotors from 110–240 kg. The Hybrid Tandem is the easiest tandem wing on the market. It puts everything the Solo Hybrid has to offer into the hands of the tandem pilot: phenomenal deployment and take-off, even in a light tailwind; excellent passive and active safety characteristics; perfect, predictable and easy handling; low sink rate with superb thermal flying and, of course, what every tandem pilot wants – a simple and predictable landing! (unlike single-skin wings). This unique design combines a classic double-skin profile with a single-skin profile, resulting in a hybrid profile that offers very special flight characteristics. The Hybrid Tandem offers many advantages over both classic tandems and single-skin designs. It is clear that ‘hybrid’ wings are becoming the norm on the market. Many companies have introduced similar concepts, and we are proud to once again be setting future standards with the first tandem hybrid wing! The Hybrid Tandem offers many advantages over both traditional tandems and single-surface designs. It is clear that ‘hybrid’ wings are becoming the norm on the market. Many companies have introduced similar concepts, and we are proud to be setting future standards once again with the first tandem hybrid wing! Background The original Hybrid project began as a concept – an idea we wanted to explore – but we never expected what we discovered! The first test flights of the initial prototype were so impressive that we effectively shelved all our other projects to bring this wing to market. After two years of intensive research and development, we have launched the HYBRID! You really have to fly the Hybrid to believe all the ‘hype’ surrounding it, but we promise you, it’s truly SPECIAL! Every pilot who’s had the chance to try it has been amazed and, after just one flight, convinced that this concept is here to stay! The Hybrid Tandem is light (4.4 kg), but not designed as a ‘lightweight’ wing. The absence of the lower surface at the rear of the wing saves weight, but it is also what makes it fly in such a special way. The Hybrid is much more than just an exotic paraglider for specialised purposes. It offers many advantages over single-skin designs and even classic gliders in the beginner to sport categories. Hybrid gliders could become a mainstream product in a few years’ time and replace many of the classic designs currently available. We are proud that APCO is behind such an innovation. This project was long and difficult, but we are certain that the term ‘Hybrid’ will leave a lasting mark on our sport. FEATURES: LAUNCH The launch speed is surprisingly slow. This helps enormously in ‘less than perfect’ launch conditions or with uncooperative passengers! A tailwind of 5–7 [km/h] is no problem with the Hybrid. The same applies to front launches with a paramotor – a few steps and you’re in the air. Launching is just like with super-light single-skin wings; it comes over your head and stays there willingly. NICK STABILITY You’ll notice this straight away when kiting; if you try to make ‘dolphin’ movements in the air, you’ll understand exactly what we mean! Unlike a single-skin wing, you aren’t tossed about by the airflow; the pilot is in control and can enjoy strong thermal conditions! The Hybrid has enough air volume and inertia to cut through the air and not be controlled by it. ROLL STABILITY Particularly noticeable with a powered paraglider – this wing is more roll-stable than anything else on the market. With this wing, there is NO roll oscillation. When flying freely, the pilot will find that it is ‘difficult’ to perform wingovers. This is due to the increased roll stability of this wing. BRAKE PRESSURE Very, very low! With a classic profile, the brakes must be applied against the internal pressure of the wing. With the Hybrid, as with single-skin designs, the brakes simply create drag and are therefore much more efficient. This wing feels precise and responsive; the brakes are progressive and constantly convey the air reactions around you. LANDING Compared to single-surface gliders, which generally have very poor flare characteristics, the Apco Hybrid has a flare that is as good as that of conventional Class A or B paragliders, only better, as the glider has a very long and forgiving braking zone, which makes manoeuvres such as butterfly landings particularly effective for top landings. Due to the low brake pressure, this takes a little getting used to, but quickly leads to perfect handling on landing. FLARE Unlike single-skin wings, the Hybrid’s flare is outstanding! Thanks to its high stall resistance and long braking distance, it comes very close to that of a standard glider. IN-FLIGHT FEEDBACK The glider’s feedback is always gentle and predictable, even in turbulent air, yet still easy to interpret. It requires surprisingly little active steering to keep the glider in the air and on the desired course. COMMERCIAL USE The glider weighs just 4 [kg], including the standard webbing risers (no flimsy rope risers!). Add to this the ease of take-off in calm conditions or even with a tailwind, and it is perfect for commercial tandem flights. It outperforms a single-skin glider whilst offering proven safety. It will make a pilot’s life so much easier and provide your passenger with a better, more enjoyable flying experience. HYBRID The best of both worlds, combined in a lightweight, compact package. The Hybrid is much more than just an exotic paraglider for special purposes. It offers many advantages over single-skin designs and also over classic gliders in the beginner to sport categories. Hybrid wings could become a mainstream product in a few years’ time, replacing many of the classic designs currently available. We are proud that APCO is behind such an innovation. This project was long and challenging, but we are certain that the term ‘Hybrid’ will become the norm in our sport for good! SPECIFICATIONS APCO HYBRID TANDEM TANDEM 35 Number of cells 48 Area m² 35 Area (projected) m² 29.60 Wingspan (incl. stabiliser) 13.28 m Wingspan (projected) 10.39 m Aspect ratio 5.1 Aspect ratio (projected) 3.7 Max. Chord depth m 3.2 Length of lines at B m 8.02 Total length of lines m 402 Glider weight kg 4.27 Approved weight range (pilot) kg 110–190 Approved weight range (pilot’s mate) kg 110–240 V-min km/h 22 V-trim km/h 35 V-max km/h 45+ Min sink rate at optimal wing loading m/s 1.1 Certification (*in progress) DGAC EN-B MATERIALS The glider is made from 100% Skytex fabric. The upper fabric is a hybrid combination of Skytex 27 and Skytex 33 g. The 33 g material is used on the front of the upper fabric, as this is the part of the canopy subject to the greatest stress and it is crucial to maintain the best possible porosity over time in this area. The rear section of the upper surface is made from Skytex 27 g to save additional weight. The underside is made from Skytex 27 g. The ribs are made from Skytex 33 g with a hard surface. On the powered paraglider version, the lower lines are colour-coded and sheathed for added durability. Line Material Diameter [mm] Strength [kg] Top Dyneema 1.0 90 Mid & Brake Mid Vektran 0.9 115 Mid a, b, c Vektran 1.0 153 Bottom A, B, C Sheathed aramid 2.5 450 Bottom St Sheathed aramid 1.8 230 Brake top, St top Vectran 0.9 115 Brake bottom Sheathed Dyneema 2.0 230 Sail Cloth Skytex 27 and 33 g/m² “Zero Porosity” Ripstop Nylon Rib Reinforcement FLEXON® batten system Warranty 1 year / 100 hours (manufacturing defects only) CERTIFICATION SIZE CERTIFICATION Tandem (35) EN - B DGAC INSTRUCTION MANUAL Hybrid Tandem Manual

Scope of application and pilot proficiency level

• Tandem paraglider.
• Pilot level: Intermediate
• Product group: paraglider
• Product type: Tandem paraglider

Key technical specifications

• Model: Hybrid Tandem
• Certification/Class: EN - B DGAC
• Weight range: paramotor 110–240
• Material/Construction: Sail fabric: Skytex 27 and 33 g/m² Zero Porosity Ripstop Nylon; Rib reinforcement: FLEXON batten system; Warranty: 1 year / 100 hours, covering manufacturing defects only; Separate PG and PM line specifications are published by APCO.

• Size 35, 48 cells, 35 m² unfolded, 29.6 m² projected, powered paraglider 110–240 kg, 4.27 kg canopy weight, APCO Code 38710 / 38810

Performance and handling

• Speed range: V-Min 22 km/h, Trim closed n/a km/h, Trim neutral n/a km/h, Trim open n/a km/h, V-Max 45+ km/h.
• Hybrid profile
• Shark-nose leading edge
• Hybrid tandem risers
• Replaceable Trim Tab Webbing
• Neodymium Brake Magnets

Buying Guide

Before purchase, we check the pilot’s weight, take-off weight, engine or trike configuration, intended use, experience, launch site and size. For tandem and trike configurations, the passenger’s weight, frame geometry, registration and national regulations must be confirmed separately.