Independence Dragon

Dragon
Role	Paraglider
National origin	Germany
Manufacturer	Independence Paragliding
Designer	Michaël Nesler
Status	Production completed
Produced	early 2000s

The Independence Dragon is a German single-place, paraglider that was designed by Michaël Nesler and produced by Independence Paragliding of Eisenberg, Thuringia. It is now out of production.

Design and development

The Dragon was designed as a beginner-intermediate glider. The design progressed through two generations of models, the Dragon and Dragon 2. The models are each named for their relative size.

Company test pilot Christian Amon was also involved in the development as well as flight testing of the Dragon.

Variants

Dragon 2 S

Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 11.6 m (38.1 ft) span wing has a wing area of 24.07 m² (259.1 sq ft), 46 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.5:1. The pilot weight range is 65 to 85 kg (143 to 187 lb). The glider model is DHV 1-2 certified.

Dragon 2 M

Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its 12.5 m (41.0 ft) span wing has a wing area of 27.83 m² (299.6 sq ft), 46 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.5:1. The pilot weight range is 80 to 105 kg (176 to 231 lb). The glider model is DHV 1-2 certified.

Dragon 2 L

Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 13.0 m (42.7 ft) span wing has a wing area of 30.68 m² (330.2 sq ft), 46 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.5:1. The pilot weight range is 100 to 125 kg (220 to 276 lb). The glider model is DHV 1-2 certified.

Dragon 2 XL

Extra large-sized model for much heavier pilots. Its 13.5 m (44.3 ft) span wing has a wing area of 33.1 m² (356 sq ft), 40 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.5:1. The pilot weight range is 100 to 135 kg (220 to 298 lb). The glider model is DHV 1-2 certified.

Specifications (Dragon 2 L)

Data from Bertrand

General characteristics

• Crew: one
• Wingspan: 13.0 m (42 ft 8 in)
• Wing area: 30.68 m² (330.2 sq ft)
• Aspect ratio: 5.5:1

Performance

• Maximum speed: 52 km/h (32 mph, 28 kn)