title: Advance Alpha
text: # Advance Alpha
  
  The Advance Alpha is a family of Swiss single-place, paragliders, designed and produced by Advance Thun of Thun.
  
  ## Design and development
  
  The Alpha was designed as a beginner glider for new pilots.
  
  The design has progressed through six generations of models, the Alpha, Alpha 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, each improving on the last. The model sizes are each named for their rough wing area in square metres.
  
  ## Variants
  
  ### Alpha 3 24
  
      Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 10.59 m (34.7 ft) span wing has wing area of 24.13 $m^2$ (259.7 sq ft), 35 cells and the aspect ratio is 4.65:1. The pilot weight range is 58 to 75 kg (128 to 165 lb). The glider model is DHV 1 certified.
  
  ### Alpha 3 26
  
      Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its 11 m (36.1 ft) span wing has wing area of 26.03 $m^2$ (280.2 sq ft), 35 cells and the aspect ratio is 4.65:1. The pilot weight range is 70 to 90 kg (154 to 198 lb). The glider model is DHV 1 certified.
  
  ### Alpha 3 28
  
      Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 11.44 m (37.5 ft) span wing has wing area of 28.16 $m^2$ (303.1 sq ft), 35 cells and the aspect ratio is 4.65:1. The pilot weight range is 85 to 108 kg (187 to 238 lb). The glider model is DHV 1 certified.
  
  ### Alpha 3 30
  
      Extra large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 11.62 m (38.1 ft) span wing has wing area of 30.05 $m^2$ (323.5 sq ft), 35 cells and the aspect ratio is 4.65:1. The pilot weight range is 103 to 130 kg (227 to 287 lb). The glider model is DHV 1-2 certified.
  
  ### Alpha 4 23
  
      Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 10.60 m (34.8 ft) span wing has wing area of 23.66 $m^2$ (254.7 sq ft), 39 cells and the aspect ratio is 4.75:1. The glider empty weight is 5.3 kg (12 lb) and the take-off weight range is 55 to 75 kg (121 to 165 lb). Glide ratio is 8.3:1. The glider model is DHV 1 certified.
  
  ### Alpha 4 25
  
      Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its 11.03 m (36.2 ft) span wing has wing area of 25.59 $m^2$ (275.4 sq ft), 39 cells and the aspect ratio is 4.75:1. The glider empty weight is 5.6 kg (12 lb) and the take-off weight range is 65 to 88 kg (143 to 194 lb). Glide ratio is 8.3:1. The glider model is DHV 1 certified.
  
  ### Alpha 4 28
  
      Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 11.63 m (38.2 ft) span wing has wing area of 28.47 $m^2$ (306.4 sq ft), 39 cells and the aspect ratio is 4.75:1. The glider empty weight is 6.1 kg (13 lb) and the take-off weight range is 78 to 106 kg (172 to 234 lb). Glide ratio is 8.3:1. The glider model is DHV 1 certified.
  
  ### Alpha 4 31
  
      Extra large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 12.29 m (40.3 ft) span wing has wing area of 31.79 $m^2$ (342.2 sq ft), 39 cells and the aspect ratio is 4.75:1. The glider empty weight is 6.6 kg (15 lb) and the take-off weight range is 96 to 130 kg (212 to 287 lb). Glide ratio is 8.3:1. The glider model is DHV 1 certified.
  
  ### Alpha 5 23
  
      Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its wing has an area of 23.75 $m^2$ (255.6 sq ft) and the aspect ratio is 4.85:1. The take-off weight range is 55 to 80 kg (121 to 176 lb). The glide ratio is 8.4:1.
  
  ### Alpha 5 26
  
      Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its wing has an area has wing area of 25.97 $m^2$ (279.5 sq ft) and the aspect ratio is 4.85:1. The take-off weight range is 70 to 95 kg (154 to 209 lb). The glide ratio is 8.4:1.
  
  ### Alpha 5 28
  
      Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its wing has an area of 28.48 $m^2$ (306.6 sq ft) and the aspect ratio is 4.85:1. The take-off weight range is 85 to 110 kg (187 to 243 lb). The glide ratio is 8.4:1.
  
  ### Alpha 5 31
  
      Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its wing has an area of 31.81 $m^2$ (342.4 sq ft) and the aspect ratio is 4.85:1. The take-off weight range is 100 to 130 kg (220 to 287 lb) The glide ratio is 8.4:1.
  
  ### Alpha 6 22
  
      Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 10.3 m (33.8 ft) span wing has wing area of 22.1 $m^2$ (238 sq ft), 39 cells and the aspect ratio is 4.8:1. The take-off weight range is 50 to 70 kg (110 to 154 lb).
  
  ### Alpha 6 24
  
      Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its 10.8 m (35.4 ft) span wing has wing area of 24.0 $m^2$ (258 sq ft), 39 cells and the aspect ratio is 4.8:1. The take-off weight range is 60 to 80 kg (132 to 176 lb).
  
  ### Alpha 6 26
  
      Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its 11.2 m (36.7 ft) span wing has wing area of 26.1 $m^2$ (281 sq ft), 39 cells and the aspect ratio is 4.8:1. The take-off weight range is 70 to 95 kg (154 to 209 lb).
  
  ### Alpha 6 28
  
      Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 11.7 m (38.4 ft) span wing has wing area of 28.5 $m^2$ (307 sq ft), 39 cells and the aspect ratio is 4.8:1. The take-off weight range is 85 to 110 kg (187 to 243 lb).
  
  ### Alpha 6 31
  
      Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 12.4 m (40.7 ft) span wing has wing area of 31.9 $m^2$ (343 sq ft), 39 cells and the aspect ratio is 4.8:1. The take-off weight range is 100 to 130 kg (220 to 287 lb).
  
  ## Specifications (Alpha 3 24)
  
  Data from Bertrand
  
  General characteristics
  
  * Crew: one
  * Wingspan: 10.59 m (34 ft 9 in)
  * Wing area: 24.13 $m^2$ (259.7 sq ft)
  * Aspect ratio: 4.65:1
  
  Performance
  
  * Maximum speed: 42 km/h (26 mph, 23 kn)
  