The NOVA PENTAGON stands out in the world of Paragliding and hang gliding reserve parachutes with its innovative five-sided canopy design that prioritizes stability and rapid deployment in real-world emergency scenarios. This modern reserve is distinguished by its pentagonal canopy shape, which breaks the symmetry typical of traditional circular or square designs. This unique geometry creates a self-stabilizing effect by generating restoring aerodynamic forces that dampen pendular swing, significantly reducing lateral impacts at touchdown.
Unlike conventional reserves, the PENTAGON’s five corner vents facilitate faster inflation. Coupled with short suspension lines and a low canopy profile, this design ensures a quick and reliable opening sequence, especially critical for deployments at low altitudes and minimizing the risk of entanglement with the main paraglider lines. The manufacturer’s emphasis on practical usability is evident in its line equalization and color coding, alongside packing loops, which simplify repacking and reduce error rates—important factors encouraging frequent maintenance and consistent high-performance openings.
Advanced Material Durability and Certification
Material selection is of a premium standard, with the canopy made of Porcher Sport PN9 fabric, known for its superior tear strength and water resistance compared to conventional reserve materials. The lines employ Edelrid Restrix fibers, and risers use Liros D-Pro, all chosen for longevity and robustness under real-world conditions, including water landings—a test passed successfully by the PENTAGON. It boasts low sink rates across all certified sizes, offering gentle descents that enhance safety, with maximum payload capacities suitable for most pilots. Compact packed volumes and manageable weights align well with modern harness compartments, and some sizes are approved for hang glider use with swivels.
Expert and Customer Evaluations
Safety and Descent Performance
Experts and pilot schools consistently praise the NOVA PENTAGON for its excellent pendular stability and low sink rate, which provides softer landings compared to many older round reserves. This reserve is recognized as a reliable, high-quality option with no reported systemic deployment failures. The real-life testing approach—deploying the reserve while the paraglider remains attached—lends credibility by simulating typical incident dynamics.
Opening Characteristics and Handling
The PENTAGON’s opening behavior is consistently described as fast and dependable, with the five-vent canopy design reducing inflation time and avoiding line entanglement. Pilots note its predictable behavior during actual use, which bolsters confidence in emergency situations.
Packing and Maintenance Advantages
The reserve's design facilitates straightforward, error-resistant packing, thanks to line uniformity, spacing, and color coding, complemented by packing loops. This user-friendly approach encourages frequent repacking, indirectly enhancing safety by maintaining optimal deployment readiness.
Durability and Construction
While not designed as an ultralight option, the PENTAGON’s robust materials and water-resistant features make it suitable for cross-country pilots and those participating in skill training or acro flying where reserve reliability in varied conditions is critical.
Product Positioning and User Considerations
Targeted primarily at safety-conscious XC pilots, SIV trainers, and acro enthusiasts, the NOVA PENTAGON favors maximum reliability and passive safety features over lightness or post-deployment steering. Its non-steerable design may not appeal to pilots seeking active reserve guidance. Though heavier than some ultralight or steerable reserves, it offers robust design features that many consider worth the trade-off.
Critiques and Limitations
The main critiques concern weight and bulk compared to minimalist lightweight reserves, as well as the lack of steerability. Additionally, while expert endorsements are strong, consumer reviews on retail platforms are scarce, leaving some pilots reliant on instructor and expert feedback rather than widespread user testimonials.
NOVA PENTAGON Light Variant
A lighter variant, the NOVA PENTAGON Light, reduces weight significantly while maintaining the pentagonal stability benefits. However, it is less durable and intended primarily for hike-and-fly pilots with lower exposure to repeated reserve deployments. Early expert commentary is positive, but it awaits broader user feedback.
Conclusion
Overall, the NOVA PENTAGON is a technologically distinctive and safety-focused reserve parachute that delivers excellent pendular stability, rapid deployment, and user-friendly maintenance features. Its robust material construction and real-world testing regime give pilots a high degree of confidence in emergency performance. While it may not suit weight-conscious or steerability-focused users, it represents a prudent choice for those prioritizing reliable, passive safety in critical situations.
For more detailed information about the NOVA PENTAGON and to order equipment, visit the manufacturer's website and Paragliding4.me.