title: Advance Sigma
text: # Advance Sigma
  
  The Advance Sigma is a series of Swiss single-place, paragliders, designed and produced by Advance Thun of Thun.
  
  ## Design and development
  
  The Sigma was designed as a cross country intermediate glider.
  
  The design has progressed through nine generations of models, the Sigma, Sigma 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, each improving on the last. The models are each named for their rough wing area in square metres.
  
  ## Variants
  
  ### Sigma 5 23
  
      Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 11.18 m (36.7 ft) span wing has wing area of 23.76 $m^2$ (255.8 sq ft), 58 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.20:1. The pilot weight range is 60 to 75 kg (132 to 165 lb). The glider model is DHV 2 certified.
  
  ### Sigma 5 26
  
      Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its 11.64 m (38.2 ft) span wing has wing area of 26.04 $m^2$ (280.3 sq ft), 58 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.20:1. The pilot weight range is 70 to 90 kg (154 to 198 lb). The glider model is DHV 2 certified.
  
  ### Sigma 5 28
  
      Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 11.99 m (39.3 ft) span wing has wing area of 27.62 $m^2$ (297.3 sq ft), 58 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.20:1. The pilot weight range is 85 to 107 kg (187 to 236 lb). The glider model is DHV 2 certified.
  
  ### Sigma 5 31
  
      Extra large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 12.71 m (41.7 ft) span wing has wing area of 31.04 $m^2$ (334.1 sq ft), 58 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.20:1. The pilot weight range is 102 to 127 kg (225 to 280 lb). The glider model is DHV 2 certified.
  
  ### Sigma 6 22
  
      Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 10.88 m (35.7 ft) span wing has wing area of 21.95 $m^2$ (236.3 sq ft), 61 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.48:1. The glider take-off weight range is 55 to 80 kg (121 to 176 lb). The glide ratio is 9.2:1.
  
  ### Sigma 6 26
  
      Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its 11.93 m (39.1 ft) span wing has a wing area of 26.00 $m^2$ (279.9 sq ft), 61 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.48:1. The glider take-off weight range is 70 to 95 kg (154 to 209 lb). The glide ratio is 9.2:1.
  
  ### Sigma 6 28
  
      Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 12.30 m (40.4 ft) span wing has a wing area of 27.63 $m^2$ (297.4 sq ft), 61 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.48:1. The glider take-off weight range is 85 to 110 kg (187 to 243 lb). The glide ratio is 9.2:1.
  
  ### Sigma 6 31
  
      Extra large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 13.04 m (42.8 ft) span wing has a wing area of 31.05 $m^2$ (334.2 sq ft), 61 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.48:1. The glider take-off weight range is 100 to 130 kg (220 to 287 lb). The glide ratio is 9.2:1.
  
  ### Sigma 7 23
  
      Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 11.42 m (37.5 ft) span wing has wing area of 23.1 $m^2$ (249 sq ft), 61 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.65:1. The glider take-off weight range is 60 to 80 kg (132 to 176 lb). The glider model is EN/LTF 2 certified. The glide ratio is 9.2:1.
  
  ### Sigma 7 26
  
      Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its 12.13 m (39.8 ft) span wing has a wing area of 26.04 $m^2$ (280.3 sq ft), 61 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.65:1. The glider take-off weight range is 70 to 95 kg (154 to 209 lb). The glider model is EN/LTF 2 certified. The glide ratio is 9.2:1.
  
  ### Sigma 7 28
  
      Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 12.61 m (41.4 ft) span wing has a wing area of 28.16 $m^2$ (303.1 sq ft), 61 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.65:1. The glider take-off weight range is 85 to 110 kg (187 to 243 lb). The glider model is EN/LTF 2 certified. The glide ratio is 9.2:1.
  
  ### Sigma 7 31
  
      Extra large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 13.15 m (43.1 ft) span wing has a wing area of 30.61 $m^2$ (329.5 sq ft), 61 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.65:1. The glider take-off weight range is 100 to 130 kg (220 to 287 lb). The glider model is EN/LTF 2 certified. The glide ratio is 9.2:1.
  
  ### Sigma 8 23
  
      Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 11.63 m (38.2 ft) span wing has wing area of 22.5 $m^2$ (242 sq ft), 61 cells and the aspect ratio is 6.0:1. The glider take-off weight range is 65 to 85 kg (143 to 187 lb). The glider model is EN/LTF certified. The glide ratio is 10:1.
  
  ### Sigma 8 25
  
      Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its 12.25 m (40.2 ft) span wing has a wing area of 25.0 $m^2$ (269 sq ft), 61 cells and the aspect ratio is 6.0:1. The glider take-off weight range is 75 to 95 kg (165 to 209 lb). The glider model is EN/LTF certified. The glide ratio is 10:1.
  
  ### Sigma 8 27
  
      Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 12.75 m (41.8 ft) span wing has a wing area of 27.0 $m^2$ (291 sq ft), 61 cells and the aspect ratio is 6.0:1. The glider take-off weight range is 85 to 110 kg (187 to 243 lb). The glider model is EN/LTF certified. The glide ratio is 10:1.
  
  ### Sigma 8 29
  
      Extra large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 13.21 m (43.3 ft) span wing has a wing area of 29.0 $m^2$ (312 sq ft), 61 cells and the aspect ratio is 6.0:1. The glider take-off weight range is 100 to 130 kg (220 to 287 lb). The glider model is EN/LTF certified. The glide ratio is 10:1.
  
  ### Sigma 9 23
  
      Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 11.5 m (37.7 ft) span wing has a wing area of 22.5 $m^2$ (242 sq ft), 59 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.80:1. The glider take-off weight range is 60 to 85 kg (132 to 187 lb). The glider model is EN/LTF C certified.
  
  ### Sigma 9 25
  
      Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its 12.1 m (39.7 ft) span wing has a wing area of 25.1 $m^2$ (270 sq ft), 59 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.80:1. The glider take-off weight range is 75 to 100 kg (165 to 220 lb). The glider model is EN/LTF C certified.
  
  ### Sigma 9 27
  
      Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 12.6 m (41.3 ft) span wing has a wing area of 27.0 $m^2$ (291 sq ft), 59 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.80:1. The glider take-off weight range is 90 to 115 kg (198 to 254 lb). The glider model is EN/LTF C certified.
  
  ### Sigma 9 29
  
      Extra large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 13.0 m (42.7 ft) span wing has a wing area of 29.0 $m^2$ (312 sq ft), 59 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.80:1. The glider take-off weight range is 105 to 130 kg (231 to 287 lb). The glider model is EN/LTF C certified.
  
  ## Specifications (Sigma 5 26)
  
  Data from Bertrand
  
  General characteristics
  
  * Crew: one
  * Wingspan: 11.64 m (38 ft 2 in)
  * Wing area: 26.04 $m^2$ (280.3 sq ft)
  * Aspect ratio: 5.20:1
  
  Performance
  
  * Maximum speed: 48 km/h (30 mph, 26 kn)
  * Rate of sink: 1.0 m/s (200 ft/min)
  