The NOVA PENTAGON Light is a cutting-edge ultra-light emergency reserve parachute for paragliding, distinguished by its innovative five-sided pentagonal canopy design aimed at maximizing pendular stability and minimizing sink rate. Unlike traditional round or square reserves, the asymmetric pentagon geometry inherently counters oscillations by producing restoring aerodynamic forces, which damp swings quickly. This design feature contributes directly to safer, softer landings, especially under turbulent air conditions or at low deployment altitudes.
Designed with pilot safety and rapid reliability in mind, the PENTAGON Light benefits from five corner vents and short suspension lines that enable swift canopy inflation and attainment of full load-bearing shape with minimal altitude loss. Its opening sequence incorporates a reefing system inspired by round canopy technology that moderates opening forces and distributes load evenly, thus reducing the risk of sudden shock and line entanglement with the paraglider before reserve canopy deployment completes.
Ultra-Lightweight Construction and Material Choices
Key to the PENTAGON Light's appeal is its minimalist weight—approximately 810 grams for the size 85 and 910 grams for size 100 without the deployment bag—making it about 300 grams lighter than the regular PENTAGON model. This weight saving is achieved by employing premium, lightweight materials such as Dominico 10D fabric for the canopy, Edelrid Restrix and Liros DC 120 lines, and Liros D-Pro risers, all reflecting a modern ultralight design ethos. Packing volume remains compact, roughly 2.4 to 2.8 liters, perfectly suited for hike-and-fly, climb-and-fly, and vol-biv pilots who value minimal packed size and weight without sacrificing performance.
Performance and Certification
The PENTAGON Light meets the current EN 12491 certification standards, offering excellent descent rates of 5.2 m/s for the 85 size (certified for 85 kg max payload) and 5.4 m/s for the 100 size (certified for 100 kg max payload). Recommended minimum loads (40 kg for the 85 and 50 kg for the 100) ensure pilots can enjoy optimal balance between sink rate efficiency and pendular damping. These performance metrics place the PENTAGON Light firmly in the upper echelon of ultralight reserve parachutes.
User Experience and Handling
Ease of repacking is a valuable feature, with all base lines of equal length, color coding for identification, and integrated packing loops. This thoughtful design aids pilots and repacking personnel in maintaining correct packing procedures, which is crucial for consistent fast openings and reliability throughout the parachute’s service life.
Limitations and Considerations
The advanced ultralight construction necessitates certain compromises, mainly around durability and usage conditions. The manufacturer clearly cautions that the PENTAGON Light is not designed for repeated deployments involving water landings (such as SIV or pilotage courses) and mandates thorough post-deployment inspections by authorized workshops. This positions the PENTAGON Light as a performance-focused emergency reserve for weight-conscious pilots rather than a rugged, multi-use training parachute.
Market Position and Target Users
This reserve parachute primarily targets experienced pilots engaged in mountain flights, hike & fly adventures, vol-biv expeditions, and competitions who demand a lightweight, compact reserve with exemplary reliability and performance. These users typically possess high-performance mains and seek a reserve that complements their lightweight setups without compromising essential safety functions such as rapid opening, minimal sink rate, and strong pendular damping.
Customer and Dealer Feedback Highlights
- Overall Satisfaction: Users praise the PENTAGON Light as a well-engineered, state-of-the-art ultralight reserve preferred by pilots prioritizing weight and volume savings.
- Pendular Stability: The pentagonal shape enhances swing stability, reducing hunting or surging behavior common to traditional round reserves, resulting in smoother descents and softer landings.
- Weight & Packing: The ultra-light weight and compact packing volume are recurrently cited advantages, especially appreciated on long climbs and in tight harness compartments.
- Opening Performance: Pilots report quick, clean deployments with moderated opening shocks, consistent with design intentions to enhance emergency reliability.
- Packing Ease: The uniform line lengths and color coding simplify packing, encouraging regular maintenance and ensuring system readiness.
- Trade-Offs: Durability concerns arise from the ultralight fabrics, with users advised to handle the reserve carefully and pass inspections after use. The reserve is not suitable for frequent water or training deployments.
- Price Point: The advanced design and ultralight features come at a higher price compared to standard reserves, which may be a consideration for budget-conscious pilots.
- Limited Deployment History: Being relatively new and specialized, publicly available incident data is limited, leading conservative pilots to seek long-term track records.
Who Should Choose the PENTAGON Light?
Ideal for hike & fly, vol-biv, competition flyers, and any pilot requiring a low-volume, lightweight reserve without sacrificing safety and performance. It is less suitable for pilots who engage in frequent SIV courses, especially those involving water landings, or those seeking a reserve focused on ruggedness and low cost.
Conclusion
The NOVA PENTAGON Light five-sided ultralight reserve parachute stands out as a technologically advanced, highly specialized emergency device that balances superior pendular stability, rapid reliable opening, and minimal sink rate, all within a remarkably lightweight and compact package. While the need for careful handling and inspection after use is a notable limitation, the performance and design benefits make it an excellent choice for serious pilots engaged in weight-sensitive flying disciplines.
For more detailed information about the PENTAGON Light and to explore purchasing options, please visit the manufacturer's website and order equipment through Paragliding4.me.