Gin Gliders new Ground-Launching wing.
Speedflying is a new flying concept. The concept has evolved from speedriding, the fast mountain descent under a speedglider launched on skis. For the past few years, Gin Gliders has been the leading innovator in speedriding. Now comes the first Gin Gliders speedglider launchable by foot: the Bobcat.
Speedgliders are not scaled-down, mini-paragliders… read more about Speedflying and Speedriding design concept here
Bobcat, the Speedflying wing
The Bobcat is the speedglider launchable by foot created by Gin Gliders. The Bobcat is opening new horizons of piloting for expert and careful pilots with a lot of flying experience. The air, the speed and the fun are joined for a new dimension of flight… the possibilities are growing! The play of trajectories and speed against the relief opens new piloting potential, as yet unexplored using soft canopies.
The Bobcat will give you the possibility to return to the original soul of flight and also to open up new fields of practice. You will be able to fly down the mountain in wider aerological conditions with this simple and solid glider. You will have fun with strong wind ground handling and soaring…
Speedflying, fields of use…
"Traditional" Speedflying
Unlike modern paragliders, the Bobcat will give you an adrenaline-powered ride down a mountain, following the slopes and ridges. This is due to a lower glide ratio and higher trim speed. You'll reach the bottom faster, but with a huge grin on your face.
Soaring in stronger winds
How many pilots confronted with "strong" winds of 30-45 km/h, have dreamt of the Bobcat? Here it is!
On the sea coast, in the mountains, or on your favorite hill, when it is impossible to take out your paraglider from the bag, the Bobcat is ready to take over.
Ground training
How many paragliding schools have dreamt of the Bobcat? Here it is.
To learn in safety on school slopes the basis of inflation and to become familiar with techniques for stronger winds, the Bobcat is a wonderful education tool.
Mountaineering
How many para-mountaineers climbing down from a summit, have dreamt of the Bobcat? Here it is!
The Bobcat will allow you to take off and fly in a little stronger wind than would be possible with a paraglider. The Bobcat is compact, light and will easily fit in the bottom of an experienced mountaineer’s backpack. Its instantaneous inflation and its high stability in turbulence will allow you to experience mountains in a thrilling new way.
Important usage advice, please read here
Bobcat, the speeflying equipment
The Bobcat speedglider is delivered with:
- Bobcat harness:
• Independent thigh loops without seat plate. Shoulder straps slide through the front cross straps for
more precise piloting.
• Safe T-bar
• Side trimming adjustments
• Light automatic buckles
• intergrated 8 cm back protection
• GIN Automatic carabiners included (30mm Zicral self-locking 'biners)
• One size fits all
• Weight: 1.6 kg
CAUTION: The Bobcat must be flown with the Bobcat harness.
Other harnesses may influence the stability of the glider in flight.
- Bobcat rucksack:
• Lightweight ripstop rucksack
• 2 front zip pockets
• one side mesh pocket
• ice-axe holder
• gear loop on belt
• ergonomic 3D mesh back contact with ventilation system
• Weight: 0.6 Kg
• Volume: 50 Liters
Optional equipment:
- Yeti Airbag:
• Back protection which attaches easily to your Bobcat harness.
• Weight: 0.50 kg
The choice of size depends not only on the total weight in flight, but also the level of preparation of the pilot and the type of Use: the choice of size is of vital importance for safety - smaller the size, the greater the required level of ability of the pilot.
2010 - Gin added the 18m Bobcat to the range and from Spring 2010 - All new Bobcats are manufactured identical to the Gin Yak (except for the materials). The resulting small incremental changes were judged to be to small to be publiced as a new Bobcat II (Gin Yak was designed as the lightweight Bobcat).
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I think the Gin Bobcat is
I think the Gin Bobcat is pretty cool. I've never flown it myself personally but from watching it fly I think it might be slick for fairly experienced pilots who want some speed and stability.
I have them brand spanking new for only $2400 if anyone is interested.
It is pretty cool how inexpensive they are. If it can be flown with a Top 80 then you know it is pretty efficient for a speed glider.
Josh Kelter