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FreeFlight LARA Reserve Parachute

Wills Wing now offers the new LARA (Low Aspect Ratio Annular) Emergency reserve parachute for hang glider and paraglider pilots. The LARA is a higher performance alternative to conventional Conical and PDA (Pulled Down Apex) configurations. The LARA’s aerodynamically efficient shape produces a higher drag coefficient and corresponding lower descent rate during an emergency deployment. It also offers the best value (price/performance) available today.

The LARA 250 was drop tested eight times by the United States military. Data was gathered at the rate of five samples per second utilizing a SOMAT data logger with on-board altimeter instrumentation. The average descent rate (corrected to sea level) with a 200 pound payload was only 17.5 feet per second! The US military uses 24 feet per second as a maximum allowable descent rate for emergency reserve parachutes. This low descent rate is comparable to the 24 gore PDA being manufactured by Free Flight Enterprises for tandem use.

Free Flight has drop tested all LARA models, with payloads 25% above nominal weight, at 90 knots. No canopies were damaged. These tests also verified the exceptional descent rate performance. (Note: Descent rates shown in the table below are based on average descent rates obtained in drop tests from airplanes conducted by Free Flight Enterprises. There is characteristically a significant amount of scatter in parachute drop test data).

There are no structural differences between the HG and PG canopies. The PG canopy can be converted for hang gliding applications by adding a bridle extension, however we strongly recommend a Paraswivel which is integral on the HG configuration. Without a Paraswivel, a spinning broken hang glider can close the canopy by twisting the bridle and shroud lines.

The LARA is available in three sizes (175, 250, 400) and four configurations.
The LARA Gold utilizes a Kevlar bridle and Spectra lines to reduce weight and pack volume. The “Gold” designation was chosen because the use of these materials increases the cost rather significantly.
The standard LARA has a Type 18 Nylon bridle and conventional lines.
The HG configuration includes a 24 foot bridle and integral Paraswivel.
The PG configuration includes a 4 foot bridle.

The LARA was designed by Vertigo Inc., and is fabricated 100% in America by Free-Flight Inc. The combination of Wills Wing, Free-Flight and Vertigo assure the highest standard of quality available.

Tech Bulletin #TB20060320 - Free Flight Parachute Packing Inspection (PDF file)

Paraswivel Advisory, May 2000 (PDF file)
 
Specifications:

Metric Units:          Change to Imperial Units
Specification  LARA 175 Gold HG   LARA 175 HG   LARA 250 Gold HG   LARA 250 HG   LARA 400 Gold HG   LARA 175 Gold PG   LARA 175 PG   LARA 250 Gold PG   LARA 250 PG   LARA 400 Gold PG 
System Weight (kg) 2.1 2.9 2.2 3.1 3.5 1.8 2.4 1.9 2.6 3.1
Pilot Weight (Max.) (kg) 80 80 114 114 205 80 80 114 114 205
Descent Rate (m/s) 5.6
Comparable PDA Pack 18 20 20 22 24 18 20 20 22 24
Comparable PDA Desc. 22 22 24 24 28 22 22 24 24 28
Bridle Material Kevlar Type 18 Nylon Kevlar Type 18 Nylon Kevlar Kevlar Type 18 Nylon Kevlar Type 18 Nylon Kevlar
Bridle Length (m) 7.3 7.3 7.3 7.3 7.3 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2
Shroud Lines Spectra Conv. Spectra Conv. Spectra Spectra Conv. Spectra Conv. Spectra
Paraswivel Integral Integral Integral Integral Integral Optional Optional Optional Optional Optional
Sugg. Retail $930.00 $672.00 $969.00 $697.00 $1425.00 $777.00 $612.00 $816.00 $635.00 $1262.00

Key to Specifications

Note: Retail prices listed are Wills Wing's suggested retail prices not including packaging for shipment from the factory, freight costs to the destination, import and local taxes, and dealer preparation and delivery charges.  For safety reasons, any products shown that require any particular expertise to install or use safely must be purchased through an authorized Wills Wing Dealer.


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Features:
LARA Gold utilizes a Kevlar bridle and Spectra lines
Durable deployment bag included
Designed by Vertigo Inc
Fabricated 100% in America by Free-Flight Inc.
Drop tested multiple times by the United States military
Aerodynamically efficient shape produces a higher drag coefficient
Packing Instructions Included
Pararswivel Included on all Hang Gliding Reserves

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Options:
Description Part # Retail
Rigged for Hang Glider or Paraglider    

Some options may be incompatible with others. See your Wills Wing dealer for details.

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