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BI BETA 2 : LET’S FLY 2GETHER !
The new BI BETA 2 replaces the successfull BI BETA launched in December 1996. The BI BETA was well received and we continued to sell it right up until this spring. As when we make a new solo glider, the aim of the BI BETA 2 is to keep the good points of the BI BETA while improving the balance, performance, pleasure and ease.

The BI BETA 2 is not a “race glider”, but it holds, thanks to our Australian importer Godfrey WENNESS and passenger Suzi SMITH, the worlds longest tandem distance, with 223 km flown on the 11 January 2000 from Mt Borah. The cross country flying conditions encountered during this flight were an excellent test of the gliders behavioural characteristics. The level of performance of the BI BETA 2 will quickly make it the reference in the Biplace category.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

The BI BETA 2 is a new and original glider, which has no feature in common with any solo model from our range, or even with the BI BETA (except the type of use that stays same). Its construction, its profile and suspension layout are entirely new.

The leading edge of the profile is reinforced with Mylar, which improves its stiffness and reduces deformations, tension being considerable at this point. To maintain an exact profile, each cell receives a line, except the nº 4, 11 and 18 (then 6 cells on the whole wing) that have diagonal reinforcement has on the SIGMA 4 and OMEGA 4. The cell width gets smaller as you go from the centre to the wing tip (the last four being closed off) giving a beautifully clean aerodynamic shape. The three-level suspension lines have been optimized to reduce drag and make it easier to untangle, without compromising safety : there are 3 A lines, 3 B + stabilo, 3 C lines and 2 D lines. This stabilizes pendulum motion effectively, with no adverse effect on manoeuvrability. Control action is fully coherent, with no lag between the pilot’s movements and those of the glider.

The brake handles are attached on the risers with very practical magnetic snaplocks, making it very easy to take them off and on.

Initiated with success on the ALPHA 2 and on the EPSILON 3, a compression strap is sewn between each profile/line attachment point, on the D lines. Thus the space between each cell remains the same, whether the wing is braked or not, making turning performance uniform and consistent. There are also some compression straps between some A, B and C lines, between the profiles which receive lines not linked to the same main line (which eliminates creasing caused by excessive tension). The turn performance and coordination of the wing are clearly improved and reach new levels for a biplace wing.

The ADVANCE test pilots are continuously testing and evaluating all new products and materials coming onto the market. As a result of hundreds of hours testing, we believe that Porcher Marine Skytex fabric, as used for all the other models of our 2000 range, enables us to maintain the highest quality available to recreational pilots. The lines are from Betech.

As usual with ADVANCE gliders, the smallest details were important to us, to give the BI BETA 2 a high class finish :

all of the sewing and stitching is internal. This gives us our smooth perfect finish.
the leading and trailing edges are reinforced with a Mylar tape to increase rigidity and to make them less sensitive to the high tension they are subjected to.
the winglets on the wing tips, are important aerodynamic elements, improving turn precision and diminishing the wing tip turbulence (vortex effect), and also an ADVANCE signature.
the lines and risers remain in correct position in the quick links thanks to a well designed plastic clip.
the braking is optimized thanks to a system with rings that acts on the wing tip first.
the brake handles receive a reinforcement that makes them easy to take and comfortable. They are attached on the risers with a magnetic snaplock.
The BI BETA 2 is delivered with the new SKYPACK sack (Comfort Mountain sack as an option), internal protection bag, compression strap, big ears kit, speaders, repair kit and user manual.
WHO IS THE BI BETA 2 FOR ?

The BI BETA 2 is for a large number of pilots : it is like a performance solo glider for advanced pilots. Because of the responsability when flying tandem, and like other tandem gliders, the BI BETA 2 is not a glider for beginners or occasional pilots. The pilot who has mastered a BI BETA or a BI ADVANCE has a good enough experience to fly with the BI BETA.

CERTIFICATION

The certification tests are, with ADVANCE, the final step in the development of a new wing. We will make them only when we are satisfied with the wing, aeronautically speaking. The design requirements we set for the BI BETA 2 have been reached.

The BI BETA 2 is certified according to AFNOR Biplace and DHV 1-2.

THE MATERIALS

As for the other models of our range, the choice of the materials has been dictated by the quality, never by the cost.

Upper and lower surfaces, cell rib

Nylon Porcher Marine New Skytex 6.6, 44 gr/m2

Reinforcement of the leading edge and trailing edge

Polyester/Mylar 30 mm

Reinforcement of the leading edge intrados

Polyamid 16 mm

Suspension lines : Betech Dyneema + Technora, sheathed Polyester

0,95 mm (70 kg) / 1,20 mm (110 kg) / 1,3 mm (140 kg)

1,55 mm (190 kg) / 1,85 mm (275 kg) / 2,2 mm (380 kg)

Risers : Polyester 28 mm, 1500 kg

Quick links : Inox 4 mm, 1000 kg

Stitching thread : Polyester

BI BETA 2 – TECHNICAL DETAILS

Surface flat – m2 40.10

Projected surface – m2 34.90

Span – m 13.90

Projected span – m 11.36

Aspect ratio 4.82

Projected aspect ratio 3.70

Max chord – m 3.57

Min chord – m 0.80

N¸ of cells 47

Total flying weight – kg (pilot + wing + équipement) 125/220

Weight of the wing – kg 9.2

Maxi length of the lines with the risers – m 8.79

Minimum speed – km/h 25

Speed without speed-system – km/h 39

Min. sink rate – m/s 1.1

Glide 7.8