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RAST Maximum control for your best flying experience.

At SWING, our goal is to make paragliding better every day. From over 30 years of experience and as pioneers in the industry, we know one thing: The best paraglider is the one that does exactly what its pilot wants it to do. In short: Maximum control in every situation – that´s RAST.

From the level of feedback from you, our customers, SWING Ram Air Section Technology (RAST) is our most important contribution to date under this premise.RAST is a technical design element that makes paragliding more predictable for you by dividing the canopy into different pressure zones. The glider behaviour is more stable and easier to control, especially in turbulent conditions.

What RAST does for the individual pilot varies. Experienced pilots can use RAST to better exploit the performance potential of their glider even in challenging conditions. Beginners and schools especially appreciate the support provided by RAST during take-off.

RAST OPERATING PRINCIPLE

Maximale Kontrolle in jeder Situation – das ist RAST

In paragliders with RAST , the canopy is separated inside into different (pressure) sections by one or more fabric panels, some with valves transverse to the direction of flight. This makes it possible to control the airflow in the canopy. The mode of action is comparable to a compartment wall, e.g. in a tank.

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RAST HOW IT WORKS

At launch

Swing Paragliders RAST Rendering Maximale Kontrolle für dein bestes Flugerlebnis

… very balanced pull-up behavior!

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In flight

Swing Paragliders RAST Rendering Maximale Kontrolle für dein bestes Flugerlebnis

… comfortable and compact flight feeling!

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When getting a collapse

Swing Paragliders RAST Rendering Maximale Kontrolle für dein bestes Flugerlebnis

… maximum control in challenging situations!

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DOKU: the RAST Story - material of change!

DOKU: the RAST Story - material of change!

RAST IN ACTION - VIDEOS

Arcus RS Lite frontal collapse

Asymmetric collapse during landing approach

Arcus RS frontal collapse

Massive frontal collapse shortly after takeoff

RAST FAQ

Ram Air = Dynamic pressure
Section = Sectioning / Partitioning
Technology = Technology

In 2014, we presented the MITO, the first series paraglider constructed with RAST.
It was no coincidence that the first RAST paraglider was a school paraglider, as the idea of installing a bulkhead was originally born as a solution for the different launch techniques during the learning stage.

With RAST, the front part of the paraglider fills immediately during inflation, while the rear part is filled with air in a controlled manner. This effectively prevented the centre of the glider from collapsing during the launch phase, this uncomplicated launch behaviour soon made the MITO, “the instructor’s favourite”.

We quickly realised that RAST had much more to offer and decided to apply for a patent for the concept.
RAST has been recognised and registered as a patent since 2019 and the entire SWING product range is now equipped with the bulkhead system.

The advantages mentioned below are more or less pronounced, depending on the model and requirements and the resulting RAST variant:

  •  Easy launch behaviour, especially in difficult conditions (e.g. in strong wind (acts as a de-power-system), with a tailwind, or on steep terrain).
  •  High canopy stability.
  • Effectively counteracts the propensity of large high angle deflations that involve the trailing edge collapsing.
  •  Much less likelihood of a complete deflation of the canopy in case of malfunctions – thus less loss of altitude, faster reopening, less tendency to hang upand better control over the brakes.
  • More performance in turbulent air due to less canopy movement.
  • More control and lag-free steering in thermals.

No. The difference to earlier attempts to make paragliders more stable (rigid) using bars or tubes is the fact that a paraglider with RAST can and should continue to collapse in the area in front of the partition. This area can be compared with a car´s crumple zone which absorbs energy.

However, the size and positioning of the partition can be used to influence canopy deformation. Thus, RAST does not prevent a small and harmless collapse, but it counteracts effectively the propensity of large high angle deflations that involve the trailing edge collapsing.

As active pilots, we naturally wanted to know the answer to this too. Which is why this is exactly what is tested in simulations during development and in the glider quality evaluation.

Due to the preventive effect of RAST the probability of large-scale, dangerous canopy deformations is lower. Aside from this, RAST paragliders do not behave noticeably differently than paragliders without RAST. So should the canopy suffer a substantial collapse, the pilot knows that he has a fully tested glider above him, with extreme flight behaviour typical of the class. A clear plus in safety.

For us, however, the many years of flying experience of our customers under real conditions are much more meaningful than any simulations.We have been building and testing paragliders with RAST since 2014 and can justifiably claim that the system has proven itself in practice.

It is not as simple as that unfortunately. A paraglider´s collapse resistance does not have any bearing on its rating in certification tests. In the EN test, the collapses performed on gliders equipped with RAST must be across the same area as other paragliders and they behave in just the same way as conventional gliders if there is a collapse of the same size.

Having said that, with our RAST gliders, to some extent it is no longer even possible to collapse the canopy using the methods described by the EN/LTF standard within the measurement fields specified.

Thus, the glider must be “pitched”, or auxiliary lines must be incorporated in order to produce a large enough collapse to meet the required measurement field.This in turn can have negative implications for the test results, as the glider is often pre-accelerated by tricks or ploys such as these.

Some further discussion regarding this unfortunate testing procedure with the type-testing bodies is still needed, given that RAST is designed primarily to prevent collapses and not to improve reactions to large-scale collapses.

No. However, you can adapt your launch and flying technique to the system in order to make the best use of RAST.

When launching without a headwind, a glider with RAST may need slightly more time to fill completely. This is not a disadvantage however, as long as you give the glider time to climb to the zenith and only then accelerate. With this technique a short field take-off will succeed without any problems.

In the air, you have much better control of the wing by briefly pulling the brake lines impulsively, in order to stabilise the glider in turbulence. The brake pressure will increase briefly in this case.

No. Depending on the requirements and focus on certain characteristics, we use different variants of RAST to give you the best flying experience. With a school wing, for example, the focus is more on launch behaviour, whereas with a high performance wing, launch behaviour is not the top priority. With performance wings, it is more about canopy stability during fully accelerated flight and the best possible prevention of large-scale canopy deformation.

Much better in fact! This is because with active braking at the beginnings of a collapse, it is not a case of pushing air from the rear to the front, but of altering the profile by pulling down the trailing edge in such a way that no lift – but in this case it is in fact downforce – can build up on the underneath in negative flow.

On braking, an air cushion is created between the leading edge and the trailing edge, which straightens the curvature on the underside of the profile and thus prevents downforce being created.

With RAST, much less control travel is needed to straighten the curvature in the bottom surface. What´s more, with impulsive braking, the profile alters in such a way that lift is still created despite a negative angle of attack on the top surface.

First of all, it is important to understand that an SIV course is neither the appropriate means to prove nor disprove the effectiveness of RAST.
RAST is a preventive system supporting the pilot under real air conditions. Among other things it significantly reduces the probability of large-scale canopy deformations.
During safety training however, collapses are simulated so that the pilot can get used to the resulting dynamics and learn to react correctly to them.

In order to achieve this learning goal, the pilot must provoke collapses being big enough to overcome the bulkhead. When doing this, the RAST effect – apart from the generally faster reopening and the lower loss of altitude – is thereby suspended. This would be like switching off the ABS before a crash test with a car and then comparing the results with those of cars without ABS.

With RAST gliders, asymmetric collapses are not easy to simulate for most pilots (see question on certification). The force for initiation is usually quite high and the correct level of input is more difficult to judge. Furthermore, a higher force for initiation increases the danger that the outer A-riser slips through the hand and the outer wing does not break away properly. The reaction to this can cause high dynamics and can even cause a cravat. But this would be a simulation mistake and has absolutely nothing in common with “real” collapses in flight.
Similarly paragliders without RAST can suffer these simulated mistakes and inadvertently provoke very dynamic reactions. The idea of RAST is to help you enjoy flying, not to facilitate the simulation of manoeuvres in safety training.

To simulate reasonably realistic collapses, you should not hold the brake on the collapsible side and pull the risers outwards ensuring a firm grip. You must also be prepared for high initiation forces to simulate full frontal collapses.
All other safety training manoeuvres can be performed just as normal.

Besides the safety aspect, the canopy stiffening effect of RAST and the third tension level are important arguments for us.

Due to the higher pressure in the rear area, performance-reducing canopy movements are reduced allowing us to completely or partially dispense with stiffening elements such as rods in the topsail.

In addition, especially with our current new developments, we have succeeded in balancing the tension between leading edge, trailing edge and RAST, in such a way that the gliders behave in an extremely neutral fashion regarding pitching in turbulent air. This allows the pilot a very comfortable flight experience, while maintaining precise and direct handling. For most pilots, when they feel comfortable in the air, is when they are able to really enjoy their flying experience or get the maximum performance out of their glider.

As already mentioned, RAST is an additional design feature that gives us the opportunity to recombine the various parameters, in order to provide you with the best possible product.

First of all, RAST is patented, which is why not everyone can simply access this innovation. However, this does not mean we would not work with other paragliding manufacturers to further develop RAST in the future, should the right opportunity present itself.Furthermore, if an innovation has an impact on the entire model range in addition to a high financial outlay (development and production costs), the decision must be very well considered in the context of risk management.

Another problem is that the described advantages of RAST cannot just be tested by means of a simulated manoeuvre, because the preventive system is already overcome by the collapse provoked by the pilot.

The full potential of RAST can only be realised by doing one thing: Flying, flying, flying! And in real conditions!

You can look at RAST however you like, but from our point of view there is no reason to do without it. The system has proven itself in practice since 2014 and has not revealed any “dangerous side effects”.

RAST TESTIMONIALS

Why not????

YouTube Video: Q&A concerning RAST

It’s a fabulous idea, I don’t understand how it hasn’t moved on. I have been paragliding since 1992, and this seems to me the most significant advance in safety that there has ever been. I would change my paraglider ¡¡¡ tomorrow !!!! for one with this system,…….. and like me, many people. I can´t understand.

José Manuel Carbonell Carrera
“After more than 100 hours of flying in rough thermals, the RAST system has completely convinced me. Even in accelerated flight, only “gentle” collapses without shooting forward or turning the canopy away.

RAST is like flying with an “airbag”, so to speak.

Torsten Hahne, Germany

I came across RAST via the Swing ads. I’m thrilled with the idea and think it’s a huge leap forward in terms of safety. I mainly fly gliders and motor planes, also aerobatics, i.e. with a rigid wing. Whenever the wind is right, I go to a small slope to soar.

The feeling is still indescribable. With paragliders, I have always been worried about the wing becoming soft, or collapsing. With RAST there is finally a solution! A huge thank you to Michael for this development.

With best regards from the Westerwald

Thorsten Gudelius, Germany

I was able to test the Nyos RS XS for a few days in July. Under sporty conditions, to say the least. Strong thermals combined with plenty of north wind. I didn’t experience a single collapse.

As Lucian Haas’ blog points out, you should learn how to use the RAST system properly to get the most out of it (conversion).

Link: lu-glidz.blogspot.com/2018/04/schirmtest-swing-nyos-rs

Sabine Schächtele
“Nobody is perfect” and nobody can always correctly assess what is coming when flying.
This is what happened to me recently when, after crossing a valley, I headed for what I thought was the windward side and suddenly found myself in a witch’s kitchen of downdrafts, fierce lee thermals and strong winds.

It was really amazing how the NYOS RS continued to follow my steering commands, how long the canopy defied the turbulence, until the inevitable happened and it suddenly collapsed totally. It was only a blink of an eye, a few meters loss of altitude and the glider appeared fully inflated above my head again, as if nothing had happened. I am convinced that RAST is built for just such situations.

Whoever has RAST needs less luck, so fly safe ;-)

Didi Siglbauer, Germany
Apart from minor collapses of less than 50%, which couldn´t stop the glider from flying straight, RAST for me mainly means full glider control and comfort in all thermal conditions.

Flying takes place in the mind and thanks to RAST I´m able to keep a clear head for long XC days.

Matthias Wehrle, Germany

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