Design insight: Sky and the Merlin
Bastienne Wentzel
Sky Paragliders recently brought in new blood from young company Drift, attracted by their two-line EN-C Merlin. Erwin Voogt and Bastienne Wentzel find out more
During the 2023 Stubai Cup, the small Czech glider manufacturer Drift impressed us with their brand new EN-C two-liner Merlin. Standa Klikar and Kryštof Klimpar designed the Merlin which during a short test flight felt as an easy-to-fly solid wing that managed to stand out among the flood of other new EN-C two-liners from well-known brands.
Then, Sky and Drift announced their merger early 2024. "We have known each other for a long time," explains Vítězslav Richter from Sky. "It's a small country and with Drift, Standa and Kryštof came to us often if they needed equipment or materials. During the last Coupe Icare we decided that it would help us both to merge."
Sky needed a refreshing input and Drift had got stuck trying to handle a business with too little people. Standa says: "Drift was a dream come true, designing and making gliders from scratch in our own style. But we were exhausted by our own plans. Merging with Sky finally gave us the feeling of moving forward again."
Vítězslav says: "They now work in a team and learn from each other. We each have our style and we work in symbiosis. Our new speedwing is almost ready and we are working on a tandem and an intermediate. These are hectic times but it's refreshing and gives a new face to the company."
Traditionally, Sky focused on safety and a large customer base. In contrast, both Drift designers have a competition and racing background and focused on performance wings, notably with the Drift Merlin. Gaining experience during many years of competition glider development at other companies such as Axis and Gin, Standa was familiar with desiging high performing two-liners and put this knowledge into his main Drift project, the Merlin, which he took with him to Sky.
This article was published in full in Cross Country magazine 252, September 2024
Then, Sky and Drift announced their merger early 2024. "We have known each other for a long time," explains Vítězslav Richter from Sky. "It's a small country and with Drift, Standa and Kryštof came to us often if they needed equipment or materials. During the last Coupe Icare we decided that it would help us both to merge."
Sky needed a refreshing input and Drift had got stuck trying to handle a business with too little people. Standa says: "Drift was a dream come true, designing and making gliders from scratch in our own style. But we were exhausted by our own plans. Merging with Sky finally gave us the feeling of moving forward again."
Vítězslav says: "They now work in a team and learn from each other. We each have our style and we work in symbiosis. Our new speedwing is almost ready and we are working on a tandem and an intermediate. These are hectic times but it's refreshing and gives a new face to the company."
Traditionally, Sky focused on safety and a large customer base. In contrast, both Drift designers have a competition and racing background and focused on performance wings, notably with the Drift Merlin. Gaining experience during many years of competition glider development at other companies such as Axis and Gin, Standa was familiar with desiging high performing two-liners and put this knowledge into his main Drift project, the Merlin, which he took with him to Sky.
This article was published in full in Cross Country magazine 252, September 2024