The Hadron product range has been there for almost as long as the brand and evolution of the Hadron model range has been hard to keep up with. Hadron, Hadron 1.1, Hadron XX, and now the Hadron 3.

The Hadron XX was the pinnacle of technology incorporating advanced systems such as Flap Trimmers and there are few that would deny the fact that the Hadron was a truly difficult glider to have consistency due to the complexity of the design. Enter the Hadron 3.

The glider all XC pilots have been waiting for offering easy take-off ability with satisfactory agility and fast top speeds perfect for the average XC pilot. The Hadron 3 has very little in common with the Hadron XX but the confusion in the name has caused many to be skeptical, opting rather for models that have not yet heard of (Driftair).

The WINGMAN is here to put you straight!

The Hadron 3 is recommended for all XC pilots that don’t qualify for the level of experienced required to fly the Dudek Warp. Having said that, the Hadron 3 is no slouch offering speeds greater than that of the Driftair and Nucleon 4. Those speeds are combined with little piloting input as the platform has no tendency to oscillate and keeps its track like no other on the XC offering.

Also important to note that the Hadron offers its speed as part of the trimmers which is excellent news for XC pilots pushing long distances. Here are some of the WINGMAN observations:

• Ground Handling can be compared with something as easy as the Dudek Solo and far from a wing like the Warp.

• ‘Point of Lift’ is achieved fairly fast and climb rate is amicable. All this translates to consistency even in less then ideal conditions giving less experienced pilots results that a far more experienced pilot would accomplish on a Dudek Warp,
• Approach Speed outside of Ground Effect is around 23 kts, slower than the Dudek Warp at 25 kts and slightly faster than the Dudek Solo at 21 kts. Landing however offers great flare ability. The WINGMAN recommends pushing the All Up Weight closer to the Maximum takeoff weight indicated by Dudek. The efficiency of the glider is high and pilots might struggle to reduce altitude if they are too light on the weight category.

• The main brakes are equipped with the Triple Comfort Toggles. This is probably one of the most admirable advances of the Hadron 3 design as the toggles give pilots an easy and comfortable means to pilot the glider during XC flights. The main 2-D steering brakes are soft and the glider a tad less responsive to the input then the WINGMAN would have hoped for. However, flying by TCT is every bit as satisfying as one would hope for. Its truly a ‘grab-and-turn’ steering and we hope that it will find its way to the entire product range.