Advance BIBETA 6

Flying should be fun. If you make ten flights a day as a professional tandem pilot – where efficiency, economy and passenger safety share priority – flying is often hard work. In the BIBETA 6 we have managed to achieve the difficult objective of packing the best of current tandems into one product – with no compromise: fun all round – all day.

For the first time, commercial tandem pilots were closely involved in the development process of a BIBETA design. Together with several professional pilots from companies operating in the Interlaken tandem Mecca we defined the best individual takeoff, in-flight handling and landing qualities of current tandems as our benchmark criteria. During a long test programme BIBETA 6 prototypes were tried out in everyday use by our extended development team, and the intricate feedback obtained reworked into the design until each desired criterion had been not only achieved, but exceeded. At the end the professionals had only one question: when can we get one?

The BIBETA 6 is a completely new design and now comes in two sizes, 38 and 41. Line sorting is a breeze. Give the three-liner risers a shake and the lines separate; sorting is quickly done. The canopy rises evenly without overshooting, and passenger and pilot are soon airborne. In flight the BIBETA 6 responds directly and precisely to the smallest brake input. Comfortable brake loading and perfect flare behaviour complete the satisfying experience. Reinforced sliced diagonals, crossing rods in the leading edge, broad-gauge lines and strengthened support points give this working tandem a specially long life. But despite the strong design the wing packs up small and weighs a sensationally low 6.95 kg for the 41.

The BIBETA 6 mostly has uncovered Magix Pro Aramid lines by Edelrid, the German high quality maker. New technology and complex finishing processes give this High-End product 20 % more strength, 17 % better kink and bending resistance as well as longer life – compared to equivalent covered lines. The Aramid lines are extremely stable in length and easy to sort by their colour coding. Their outstanding resistance to water and dust means that they do not need special handling. Detailed information about the lines can be found on this website or in the Line Guide.

Technology & Features

The BIBETA 6 has trimmers which provide a speed increase of about 6 kph, giving the pilot a useful safety speed reserve against strong wind. Open trims together with big ears (Vary-Grip) is a comfortable and considerate way to descend with a passenger when necessary.

Split A-risers make big ears easy. Each outer A line can be held in a jam cleat on the back of its C-riser. BIBETA 6 ears can stay folded without pilot assistance, for as long as needed, thus saving the biceps. At the same time the wing can be steered normally by brake; or the pilot could take advantage of hands-free flight for some photography.

Every BIBETA line has internal loop reinforcement. To achieve this a length of the same line is spliced inside a loop, increasing its line diameter, and thus the surface area of loop to loop contact. This reduces pressure where thin line meets thicker, and avoids the problem of the thin line cutting into the other. Base line loops also have external covers to minimise wear where they meet their quicklink.

Edelrid Magix Pro lines differ from other uncovered versions because they undergo a detailed Thermo Shield treatment and have an additional UV-Protec-Coating, which filters out the sun’s damaging UV light. These finishing processes prolong life, provide resistance to dust and water, and, at the same time, minimise the loss of strength caused by UV radiation.

The latest technology makes it possible to simulate structural loadings in detail, and therefore choose the most suitable materials for individual parts of the paraglider. The leading edge has profile-retaining crossed nylon wires sewn in. Combined with the Smart Sail System these add significant wear-resistance to the wing. Sliced Diagonals, made especially strong for a tandem, still contribute to inner weight reduction, but at no cost to robustness.

The BIBETA 6 is a completely new design with a complex internal structure. This policy reduces the number of canopy support points required, and the lines to go with them – so there are fewer to sort. A modern profile only calls for three riser levels – again even easier to sort. Then again, we have coloured the A-lines to make them easy to see when preparing for takeoff. All the lines have a coloured cover at their quicklink loops relevant to their level, and both stabilo and brake lines are identified by a longer coloured cover at their lower ends.

No. The Edelrid “Magix Pro” Aramid lines receive extensive treatments, such as the Thermo Shield process and UV-Protec-Coating during manufacture, and do not require special handing during normal use. Of course the general principles of line care apply for the BIBETA 6 as for any paraglider – damp storing, dust, physical abuse by stones or boots will shorten the life of any line.

Many years experience show us that, under good conditions, a BIBETA canopy in professional use lasts for around 1,000 flights. By good conditions we assume takeoffs and landings on grass, and correct care – dry storing and considerate packing. The lines themselves do not last this long. When planning for a use of the glider up to its full lifespan, the lines should be changed at around half this projected number of flights.

There are four different BIBETA 6 spreaders: hard (rigid), soft (weich), soft adjustable (soft trimm) and soft adjustable with Quickouts (soft trimm Quickout). The passenger can be supported at two positions with the hard spreaders, and three for the soft. Soft adjustables are continuously adjustable to suit various passenger heights; a spring-clip system means that this setting can be altered in flight. This version can also take Quickout carabiners.

The BIBETA 6 has split A-risers which make it easy to pull big ears. A jam cleat on the back of each C-riser (Vary-Grip-System) makes it possible to fix an outer A-line in the big ear position for as long as the pilot wishes. The big ear position can be adjusted and re-fixed in the cleat. The Vary-Grip-System also enables the pilot to steer normally with the brakes while big ears are applied.

The brake line guides (connection between riser and brake ring) can be fixed at three different positions on the C-risers. This adjustment is to suit the height and arm length of the pilot.

The takeoff weight range of the 38 (100 to 180 kg) means that the BIBETA 6 is suitable for solo flying. This makes sense if a suitable solo wing is not available (usually 130 kg max). The EPSILON 8 Basic-Intermediate is certified up to 140 kg in its extended weight range. For more information please contact your ADVANCE dealer.

The BIBETA 6 comes in two sizes (38 and 41). Modern build saves 16 % of line metres. This tandem for professionals has only three riser levels and will please its owners with a weight from 6.9 kg and 15 % smaller packed volume. 3-way 3D panel shaping and high quality Aramid lines make it a two-seater for the most demanding pilot. New brake handle magnets and height-adjustable line guides also make everyday life a little more convenient.

An industrial tandem demands a high level of robustness and long life; but it also needs friendly and simple handling as well as a high degree of safety. The BIBETA 6 ticks all these boxes, and its precise response to the smallest control input makes it great fun to fly. These features are particularly important to the private tandem pilot as well. So the answer is Yes! Of course the BIBETA 6 is suitable for private use. If it’s right for the professional it’ll be fantastic for the spare-time tandem pilot.

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