Ozone Delta 3

Ozone haven taken a long time getting this wing right! The new Ozone DELTA 3 is a wing that Delta 2 pilots will love. Everything about the D2 that is good, has been made better. Our mission for the Ozone  DELTA 3 was to take the handling and “Sport-Performance Class feeling” to new levels and increase the speed and glide performance, without increasing the aspect ratio. The result is a wing that feels more agile and efficient in active air or while thermalling, has noticeably increased performance, and is every bit as pleasurable to fly. The OZONE philosophy of True Performance can be felt in the D3 with every ascending carve and accelerated glide.

THE PILOT
The Ozone DELTA 3 is designed for XC flying. It is Sport-Performance Class wing suitable for a wide range of pilots. Replacing the iconic DELTA 2, it is ideal for those stepping up from the EN B categories and for more experienced pilots who seek comfort and ease of use in the performance XC class. DELTA 2 pilots will feel comfortable immediately and appreciate the improved handling and more precise feel that the D3 delivers.

MISSION
The DELTA series has an important legacy of performance, fun, comfort and stability in active air. We strive to make the Ozone DELTA 3 a very well-rounded wing, and we think the comfort and ease of use is still the best in class. The top speed has been increased and glide performance - particularly in accelerated flight – shows significant improvement throughout the speed range. We have paid special attention to the handling behaviour of the DELTA 3, concentrating on the precision of the brakes, especially in the first part of the range to create an efficient, elegant, and agile climbing machine.

TECH
All of the groundbreaking technology that has kept our performance wings consistently at the top of competition rankings is present in the Ozone DELTA 3. The most recent evolution of our OZONE Performance Project arc is present, and the sail cohesion, both spanwise and chordwise, is better than the DELTA 2. The net result of this improvement in the DELTA 3 is apparent the moment you begin brake input. The early section of the control range is much more responsive, making micro-adjustments easier and improving thermalling performance significantly. The thermalling behaviour of the DELTA 3 is unmatched in our experience, it is easy to place the wing exactly where it is required in the thermal for maximum efficiency with the nose staying high even during tight turns.

ASPECT RATIO
Through the many prototypes that the OZONE R&D Team tested during a three-year development period, several ARs were experimented with. While the industry trend in this class of wing is to increase aspect ratio and squeeze the wing through EN tests, we decided to maintain the moderate and comfortable AR of the DELTA 2. This has benefitted everything from handling to safety. The performance improvements that we have achieved are the result of technological advancements in shaping, internal structure, and line drag reduction.

ACTIVE AIR
In thermals, the DELTA 3 excels. In light lift, the sensitivity allows you to centre the core and feather the early part of the control range to stay in it. In strong air the DELTA 3 feels genuinely reliable, whether you are feeling Gs in a strong climb or pushing bar through the rough patches of a transition or long glide. The accelerated flight performance is significantly improved over its predecessor, and the gain is not just theoretical - it can be felt in XC conditions. The wing cuts through rough air creating lift through each patch of turbulence. Overall, this is a Sport-Performance Class wing for Sport-Performance Class pilots and is a design that you can transition to, or move up to, confidently.

NEXT GEN PERFORMANCE
The DELTA series has always been about transitive change for us at OZONE. It is a part of our range that we are obsessed with, and we see it as a destination for Sports pilots and a Launchpad for Competition pilots. The DELTA 3 is more than a worthy successor and we think it will start new conversations about the subtleties of handling and glider behaviour, while staying at the top of its class in terms of performance - particularly in real XC conditions. The long development process was worth it, and we are excited to hear what you think.

THE CONCEPT:
The DELTA 3 is a significant step forward in performance and handling:

Increased glide performance
Increased glide at accelerated speeds
Higher top speed
More precise handling, better agility, and a sharper feel
NEW FEATURES:

• Same AR to keep the same level of accessibility, “compactness” and forgiveness.
• 4 more cells to improve the sail tension, cleanliness and precision.
• The planform is revised to improve airflow at the tip in accelerated flight.
• Double 3D shaping for a perfectly clean LE.
• Patented OZONE SharkNose profile with the same intake position for great handling and internal pressure at higher speeds (carried forward from D2).
• New nylon rod reinforcement at the back of the profile to improve the surface and reduce drag.
• Despite the addition of more cells, we managed to optimise rigging and save another 4% of line drag!
• Internal structure has been revised to make the sail lighter, and to improve the mechanical behaviour. New ports in the diagonals, the addition of straps, and new port shapes and positioning in the ribs.
• There is a new version of shrink tabs in the brakes, allowing increased freedom in the TE at top speed, yet offering the necessary tension for the turn precision that we like.

ACTIVE C RISER CONTROL
When gliding at trim or in accelerated flight it is possible to pilot with the C risers. This gives an improved feel and control over the wing, enabling you to fly actively without using the brakes (which cause drag and pitch movements). The direct feel allows you to stop collapses before they happen and maintain higher speeds and higher levels of efficiency through turbulence.

To fly with the C risers, keep hold of your brake handles (remove any wraps) and take hold of the handles located at the top of the C risers, or just the C risers themselves. With the C risers you can fly actively through turbulence; If you feel the nose of the wing lose internal pressure you can apply pressure to the C’s to keep it open. The amount of pressure and size of the input is dependent upon the amount of turbulence, but always be gentle at first to learn the feel of the movement and to avoid large pitch oscillations.

The Delta 3 is inherently stable at full speed. C riser control is very effective up to about ¾ speed, however during the last few cms of speed bar travel C riser control on its own becomes less effective. When flying faster than ¾ speed, we recommend controlling the pitch of the wing actively using a combination of the speed bar and C riser input. If you feel the nose of the wing start to collapse the first action should be to release the speed bar slightly - but impulsively - and then make any necessary C riser input, always action with the speed bar first before making any C inputs. Using the combined active speed bar/C riser control technique you will be able to maximise your speed and efficiency whilst minimising the likelihood of collapses.

NOTE: Active C riser control is suitable for gliding in good ‘normal’ air without serious turbulence, it does not replace proper active flying using the brakes in strong turbulent conditions. If you are unsure about the air, return the glider to trim speed, release the C risers, and fly the glider actively with the brakes.