Nova Triton 2

The NOVA Triton 2 is a breath of fresh air in the serial performance glider class, which follows in the tradition of former DHV 2/3 wings. On the one hand, the Triton 2 offers impressively good performance and therefore the potential for league, competition and ambitious XC flights; on the other hand, the flying characteristics of the wing are completely manageable for an experienced pilot.

So it is exactly what discerning pilots want: the ultimate flying machine, which combines performance with certification-appropriate safety. Thanks to the selected moderate aspect ratio (6.4 flat) the Triton 2 offers the whole range of flying characteristics: the wing is agile, brake pressure is low and it invites you to play above the landing field after completing a satisfying XC flight. The Triton 2 therefore offers everything a keen cross-country pilot wants: excellent performance, good certification-appropriate passive safety, a wing that is greedy for the best lift in thermals, very sensitive brakes and a glider that offers an exceptionally high fun factor.  

Triton 2 data

Technologically ahead. The Triton 2 is the result of NOVA’s 25 years experience in designing paragliders. Its flying behaviour was predicted using analytical tools and airflow simulations. Inside the wing, innovative needle-eye ribs distribute the tension across the span of up to five cells at a time. The needle-eye ribs are each made out of one piece of material and traverse through slots in the profile ribs. This results in a more precise shape than is achieved in a conventional four or five piece rib, which is implemented using multiple-piece diagonal ribs. 3D-Shaping and optimised position and size of the cell openings enhance the performance potential of the Triton 2.

Genuine performance. No folding line. No cross-line. No other tricks were used. The Triton 2 is a performance three-liner suited to a skilled and experienced pilot. And they will get what they expect: a wing with exceptional performance which has been fully tested in all possible collapse scenarios. The leading edge of the Triton 2 is reinforced with extremely flexible rods, but these are short and end just after the A area. In comparison to the Triton 1, the A area was not set back. For this reason, collapses are generally less extensive – we found this both during induced asymmetric collapses using the A-riser, as well as in spontaneous collapses in turbulent air. With a moderate aspect ratio of 6.4 (flat) the Triton 2 continues the tradition of its predecessors, the Tycoon and Triton 1.

Innovative and progressive. With its aspect ratio, wing area and its passive safety features, the Triton 2 is a traditional glider, but simultaneously it comes with a bundle of innovations. One of these is the mix of materials: to improve its extreme flight behaviour, we used a very light but durable material (32 g/m2), which also features in the Mentor 3 light. The leading edge is fitted with an improved Nova air scoop which increases the internal wing pressure – especially in accelerated flight. The Triton 2 therefore profits from the know-how that we gained from developing the Ion and Mentor series.    

Triton 2 Technology

  Needle-eye Ribs. Needle-eye Ribs are innovative ribs which traverse the profile through slots. This results in a more precise shape than is achieved in a conventional four or five piece rib, which is implemented using multiple-piece diagonal ribs. The consequence is a more rigid aerofoil and higher performance.

Air Scoop. Since the Rookie (2006), our design team has been working on an optimised air intake, which increases the internal wing pressure. Nova’s Air Scoop principle is similar to the ram-air inlet duct on a sports car. Increased airflow causes higher pressure. Higher internal pressure in a paraglider means improved performance through increased structural stability and collapse resistance.  

    Genuine three-liner. The Triton 2 is a high performance wing with three line areas. It offers added safety in comparison to wings with only two line areas, whose collapse behaviour generally requires more sophisticated handling. Using three line areas allows the wing to be constructed so that collapses are less extensive and/or violent.      

Moderate aspect ratio. When discussing the passive safety of paragliders, aspect ratio is not the only, but nevertheless an important, factor. A high aspect ratio favours cravats after asymmetric collapses, generally shortens brake travel and normally makes wings more difficult to fly. For a high performance wing the aspect ratio of the Triton 2 is moderate at 6.4. It remains the same as its predecessor, the Triton 1.  

Variable Air Intake. Generally, the angle of attack changes across the span. Therefore the wing’s pressure distribution is also variable. In order for the wing to be optimally pressurised, the size and positioning of the cell openings have to be adjusted to match the pressure conditions of each wing area. This creates higher internal wing pressure and reduces the amount of compensatory (and performance reducing) cross-flow inside the wing.