The NOVA Bantam 2 is a radical miniwing designed for para‑alpinists who count every gram on the way up but demand serious performance on the way down. At just 1.6 kg in size 12, with ultra-short lines and a tiny pack volume, it’s built for technical mountaineering approaches, high-speed descents and demanding competitions in harsh alpine terrain.
Hike & fly weapon with race DNA
Built for serious mountain missions
Bantam 2 is a 33‑cell three‑liner with a moderate aspect ratio of 4.5, certified EN/LTF D in size 12 and EN C/LTF D in size 14. The design targets mountaineers and expert pilots who value compactness and precision over passive safety. With a distance from pilot to canopy of just 4.3–4.5 m and very short lines, it launches quickly from tiny, steep or irregular spots where classic wings struggle.
The wing is clearly optimised for competitions such as Red Bull Dolomitenmann and Rise & Fall, where seconds during inflation and take-off decide the ranking. Compared with the first Bantam generation, glide, stability and top speed have been noticeably improved, giving the pilot more reserves when pushing fast lines close to terrain.
Handling and in-flight behaviour
Direct, agile and stable at speed
In the air, Bantam 2 is defined by its agility and precise feedback. Short lines and a compact planform allow razor‑sharp control from launch to landing, a characteristic that made its predecessor the star of “Throw & Go” cliff launches. NOVA has calmed down the inflation and general launch behaviour, which benefits not only extreme top landings but also everyday hike & fly sites in stronger wind.
Improved flare and stall behaviour help to turn fast finals into surprisingly soft touchdowns. At high wing loadings – especially on the size 12 flown at the top of its 60–90 kg certified range – pilots must expect very dynamic responses and therefore need solid wing management skills. The size 14, particularly in the lower third of its 55–100 kg range, is noticeably tamer and can even work weak thermals, adding versatility for longer mountain flights.
Construction, materials and features
Ultra-light, without giving up structure
To achieve extreme lightness, NOVA uses 26 g/m² Dominico 10D fabric on both upper and lower surfaces and Skytex 27 hard for profile ribs. Nitinol rods in the leading edge replace conventional nylon, preserving profile shape in accelerated flight while keeping the pack size minimal and tolerant to rougher packing. The 7 mm Kevlar‑reinforced risers are stiffened against twisting yet remain easy to handle with gloves.
Coloured, sheathed main lines simplify sorting on cramped, icy take-offs. A practical detail for mountaineers are the included holding pins: they anchor the glider on slippery slopes before launch and then fly down attached to the canopy. Overall, every element of the Bantam 2 is clearly aimed at speed, simplicity and reliability in demanding alpine environments.
Who is the Bantam 2 for?
NOVA explicitly positions the Bantam 2 for pilots who love small, highly manoeuvrable, ultralight wings and who are ready to take responsibility for the associated dynamics. It shines in hike & fly, climb & fly and para‑alpinism, and has already proven its competitiveness by dominating podiums in major mountain races. For pilots seeking an even more extreme launch specialist, NOVA offers the related Bantam X as a more uncompromising option.
More information & ordering
To dive deeper into technical data, certification details and colour options, visit the manufacturer's website. To configure your setup and order the NOVA Bantam 2 with matching harness and rescue, contact Paragliding4.me – your specialised partner for high‑performance hike & fly equipment.