Gradient Bright

The Gradient Bright is a Czech single-place, paraglider designed and produced by Gradient sro of Prague. Originally produced in the mid-2000s, it was still in production in 2016 as the Bright 5.[1]

Bright
Role Paraglider
National origin Czech Republic
Manufacturer Gradient sro
Status In production (Bright 5, 2016)

Design and development

The Bright was designed as a beginner and flight training glider. The manufacturer says that the "Bright5 is the best school glider Gradient has ever built." The models are each named for their approximate wing area in square metres.[1][2]

Operational history

Reviewer Noel Bertrand singled out the Bright in a 2003 review as deserving of "praise for its excellent performance at low speeds".[1]

Variants
Bright 24
Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 10.8 m (35.4 ft) span wing has a wing area of 24.1 m2 (259 sq ft), 38 cells and the aspect ratio is 4.8:1. The pilot weight range is 60 to 80 kg (132 to 176 lb). The glider model is DHV 1 certified.[1]
Bright 26
Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its 11.4 m (37.4 ft) span wing has a wing area of 27.1 m2 (292 sq ft), 38 cells and the aspect ratio is 4.8:1. The pilot weight range is 75 to 95 kg (165 to 209 lb). The glider model is DHV 1 certified.[1]
Bright 28
Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 12.0 m (39.4 ft) span wing has a wing area of 30.0 m2 (323 sq ft), 38 cells and the aspect ratio is 4.8:1. The pilot weight range is 90 to 110 kg (198 to 243 lb). The glider model is DHV 1 certified.[1]
Bright 30
Extra large-sized model for much heavier pilots. Its 12.52 m (41.1 ft) span wing has a wing area of 32.62 m2 (351.1 sq ft), 38 cells and the aspect ratio is 4.8:1. The pilot weight range is 100 to 130 kg (220 to 287 lb). The glider model is DHV 1 certified.[1]
Bright 4 22
Extra small-sized model for very light pilots. Its 10.26 m (33.7 ft) span wing has a wing area of 22.20 m2 (239.0 sq ft), 38 cells and the aspect ratio is 4.74:1. The takeoff weight range is 54 to 66 kg (119 to 146 lb). The glider model is EN/LTF A certified.[3]
Bright 4 24
Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 10.67 m (35.0 ft) span wing has a wing area of 24.04 m2 (258.8 sq ft), 38 cells and the aspect ratio is 4.74:1. The takeoff weight range is 63 to 80 kg (139 to 176 lb). The glider model is EN/LTF A certified.[3]
Bright 4 26
Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its 11.30 m (37.1 ft) span wing has a wing area of 26.96 m2 (290.2 sq ft), 38 cells and the aspect ratio is 4.74:1. The takeoff weight range is 75 to 95 kg (165 to 209 lb). The glider model is EN/LTF A certified.[3]
Bright 4 28
Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 11.89 m (39.0 ft) span wing has a wing area of 29.68 m2 (319.5 sq ft), 38 cells and the aspect ratio is 4.74:1. The takeoff weight range is 90 to 110 kg (198 to 243 lb). The glider model is EN/LTF A certified.[3]
Bright 4 30
Extra large-sized model for much heavier pilots. Its 12.39 m (40.6 ft) span wing has a wing area of 32.41 m2 (348.9 sq ft), 38 cells and the aspect ratio is 4.74:1. The takeoff weight range is 104 to 140 kg (229 to 309 lb). The glider model is EN/LTF A certified.[3]
Bright 5 22
Extra small-sized model for very light pilots. Its 10.31 m (33.8 ft) span wing has a wing area of 22.06 m2 (237.5 sq ft), 40 cells and the aspect ratio is 4.82:1. The takeoff weight range is 54 to 66 kg (119 to 146 lb). The glider model is EN/LTF A certified.[4]
Bright 5 24
Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 10.73 m (35.2 ft) span wing has a wing area of 23.88 m2 (257.0 sq ft), 40 cells and the aspect ratio is 4.82:1. The takeoff weight range is 63 to 80 kg (139 to 176 lb). The glider model is EN/LTF A certified.[4]
Bright 5 26
Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its 11.36 m (37.3 ft) span wing has a wing area of 26.77 m2 (288.1 sq ft), 40 cells and the aspect ratio is 4.82:1. The takeoff weight range is 75 to 100 kg (165 to 220 lb). The glider model is EN/LTF A certified.[4]
Bright 5 28
Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 11.92 m (39.1 ft) span wing has a wing area of 29.48 m2 (317.3 sq ft), 40 cells and the aspect ratio is 4.82:1. The takeoff weight range is 90 to 115 kg (198 to 254 lb). The glider model is EN/LTF A certified.[4]
Bright 5 30
Extra large-sized model for much heavier pilots. Its 12.44 m (40.8 ft) span wing has a wing area of 32.14 m2 (346.0 sq ft), 40 cells and the aspect ratio is 4.82:1. The takeoff weight range is 95 to 135 kg (209 to 298 lb). The glider model is EN/LTF A certified.[4]

Specifications (Bright 26)

Data from Bertrand[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Wingspan: 11.4 m (37 ft 5 in)
  • Wing area: 27.1 m2 (292 sq ft)
  • Aspect ratio: 4.8:1

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 47 km/h (29 mph, 25 kn)
  • Rate of sink: 1.15 m/s (226 ft/min)

References
  1. Bertrand, Noel; Rene Coulon; et al: World Directory of Leisure Aviation 2003-04, page 19. Pagefast Ltd, Lancaster OK, 2003. ISSN 1368-485X
  2. "Gradient Bright5". Gradient sro. Archived from the original on 25 June 2016. Retrieved 2 June 2016.
  3. "Gradient Bright 4 Technical Data". Gradient sro. Archived from the original on 10 May 2016. Retrieved 2 June 2016.
  4. "Gradient Bright5 Technical Data". Gradient sro. Archived from the original on 25 June 2016. Retrieved 2 June 2016.
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