FREEX Oxygen - floating on thin air

This is a review based on limited flying time, and my personal opinion.

Freex were developing a reputation for highly-active wings with sensitive handling. I loved the Spark, owned a Spark Pro, and later owned a Spear. The delightful responsiveness in thermic conditions made the wings a pleasure to fly. Unfortunately many pilots found the handling too 'hot', and Freex responded by developing a new, deeper wing profile with greater camber (Oxygen, Flair, Mission range) and effectively higher angle of attack. This resulted in the Oxygen showing none of the overshooting tendancies of the Spark, but I feel it has been to the detriment of glider handling.

Groundhandling the Oxygen, I couldn't help noticing that the glider must be 'hauled up', and it likes to stick at 80-degrees. It gave me the sense that the back risers were too short. Once in the air, the wing is smooth and stable, and gives a very reassuring flight in a straight line. It resists collapses well.

But upon entering a thermal, I found the wing pitched back, and lingered too close to stall point for my liking. Although the brake pressure is higher than the Spark, it does not cut such a fine corner, and the wing offers less feedback. When combined with the tendancy to ride 'nose high', the wing is easy to spin, and gives very little warning before doing so. I did not enjoy the wallowing feeling in active air, and soon began to fly it with a bit of speedbar engaged. It is likely to show delayed exits from B-line and parachutal stalls. I know of two highly-experienced pilots who have spun the wing coming in to top-land, so be careful not to turn it when 'butterflying', and maintain good airspeed over the wing at all times.

The speed range on bar is not impressive, and it tops out a few km/h slower than some of its rivals in the Serial Class. It does have a very decent glide on it, though, if you're patient. Pilots hoping to find the same lively handling of the Spark will be disappointed.

For technical specs visit the Freex website - www.freex.com