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Nasa Parawing Model 5 (NPW5)
A new system of traction sails has been designed and adapted
for the specific needs of the "South Through the Pole 1997-98"
expedition by the company Blue Iguana, in Belgium and Exet Kites
in the Netherlands. Ever since they first appeared on the market,
parafoils have shown themselves to be particularly stable in the
wind. They then had to be adapted for pulling skis. Several other
polar adventurers (including Reinhold Messner and Børge
Ousland) have already used this means of traction for their Antarctic
treks. Ordinary parafoils are too heavy and too large, and a variety
of profiles and sizes are needed to adapt to different types of
wind,
the sugestion was made to use a single surface foil instead of
a chambered one
The sail, which is located some ten metres from the driver, is
made from Icarex (P31 gr/m2). It is suspended by an array of synthetic
fibre wires which run into four lines and two polyethylene control
grips. The front part of these two tillers is linked by a sort
of cradle built into the traction belt from the driver's sledge.
This helps to reduce handling requirements as much as possible.
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