title: UP Makalu
text: # UP Makalu
  
  The UP Makalu is a German single-place paraglider that was designed and produced by UP Europe of Kochel am See. Introduced in 2001, production of the final version ended in 2020.
  
  ## Design and development
  
  The Makalu was designed as a basic intermediate glider and named for the mountain of the same name.
  
  The design progressed through several generations of models, the Makalu, Makalu 2 and Makalu 3. The models are each named for their relative size.
  
  The original generation Makalu's sail was made from Porsher Marine New Skytex and its lines were fabricated from Cousin Trestec Super Aramid.
  
  ## Variants
  
  ### Makalu
  
  Produced from 2001 to 2003.
  
  **Makalu XS**
  
  
      Extra small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 10.9 m (35.8 ft) span wing has a wing area of 23.7 $m^2$ (255 sq ft), 42 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.0:1. The take-off weight range is 55 to 75 kg (121 to 165 lb). The glider model is Deutscher Hängegleiterverband e.V. (DHV) 1-2 certified.
  
  **Makalu S**
  
  
      Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 11.4 m (37.4 ft) span wing has a wing area of 26.0 $m^2$ (280 sq ft), 42 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.0:1. The take-off weight range is 65 to 85 kg (143 to 187 lb). The glider model is DHV 1-2 certified.
  
  **Makalu M**
  
  
      Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its 11.9 m (39.0 ft) span wing has a wing area of 28.5 $m^2$ (307 sq ft), 42 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.0:1. The take-off weight range is 80 to 105 kg (176 to 231 lb). The glider model is DHV 1-2 certified.
  
  **Makalu L**
  
  
      Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 12.4 m (40.7 ft) span wing has a wing area of 31.0 $m^2$ (334 sq ft), 42 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.0:1. The take-off weight range is 95 to 120 kg (209 to 265 lb). The glider model is DHV 1-2 certified.
  
  **Makalu XL**
  
  
      Extra large-sized model for heavier pilots and two-place tandem use. Its 12.9 m (42.3 ft) span wing has a wing area of 33.5 $m^2$ (361 sq ft), 42 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.0:1. The take-off weight range is 110 to 150 kg (243 to 331 lb). The glider model is DHV 1-2 certified.
  
  ### Makalu 2
  
  Produced from 2004 to 2006.
  
  **Makalu 2 XS**
  
  
      Extra small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 10.9 m (35.8 ft) span wing has a wing area of 23.8 $m^2$ (256 sq ft), 42 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.0:1. The take-off weight range is 55 to 75 kg (121 to 165 lb). The glider model is DHV 1-2 certified.
  
  **Makalu 2 S**
  
  
      Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 11.4 m (37.4 ft) span wing has a wing area of 26.0 $m^2$ (280 sq ft), 42 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.0:1. The take-off weight range is 65 to 85 kg (143 to 187 lb). The glider model is DHV 1-2 certified.
  
  **Makalu 2 M**
  
  
      Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its 11.9 m (39.0 ft) span wing has a wing area of 28.5 $m^2$ (307 sq ft), 42 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.0:1. The take-off weight range is 80 to 105 kg (176 to 231 lb). The glider model is DHV 1-2 certified.
  
  **Makalu 2 L**
  
  
      Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 12.4 m (40.7 ft) span wing has a wing area of 31.0 $m^2$ (334 sq ft), 42 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.0:1. The take-off weight range is 95 to 120 kg (209 to 265 lb). The glider model is DHV 1-2 certified.
  
  **Makalu 2 XL**
  
  
      Extra large-sized model for much heavier pilots. Its 12.9 m (42.3 ft) span wing has a wing area of 33.6 $m^2$ (362 sq ft), 42 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.0:1. The take-off weight range is 110 to 150 kg (243 to 331 lb). The glider model is DHV 1-2 certified.
  
  ### Makalu 3
  
  Produced from 2012 to 2016.
  
  **Makalu 3 XS**
  
  
      Extra small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 11.3 m (37.1 ft) span wing has a wing area of 24.5 $m^2$ (264 sq ft), 44 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.2:1. The take-off weight range is 55 to 75 kg (121 to 165 lb). The glider model is DHV LTF/EN B certified.
  
  **Makalu 3 S**
  
  
      Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 11.8 m (38.7 ft) span wing has a wing area of 26.6 $m^2$ (286 sq ft), 44 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.2:1. The take-off weight range is 65 to 90 kg (143 to 198 lb). The glider model is DHV LTF/EN B certified.
  
  **Makalu 3 M**
  
  
      Mid-sized model for medium-weight pilots. Its 12.2 m (40.0 ft) span wing has a wing area of 28.8 $m^2$ (310 sq ft), 44 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.2:1. The take-off weight range is 75 to 105 kg (165 to 231 lb). The glider model is DHV LTF/EN B certified.
  
  **Makalu 3 L**
  
  
      Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 12.7 m (41.7 ft) span wing has a wing area of 31.1 $m^2$ (335 sq ft), 44 cells and the aspect ratio is 5.2:1. The take-off weight range is 95 to 130 kg (209 to 287 lb). The glider model is DHV LTF/EN B certified.
  
  ### Makalu 4
  
      Produced 2018-2020.
  
  **Makalu 4 XS**
  
  
      Extra-small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 10.7 m (35.1 ft) span wing has a wing area of 21.6 $m^2$ (233 sq ft), 46 cells and the aspect ratio is 3.8:1. The take-off weight range is 55 to 75 kg (121 to 165 lb). The glider model is DHV LTF/EN B certified.
  
  **Makalu 4 S**
  
  
      Small-sized model for lighter pilots. Its 11.2 m (36.7 ft) span wing has a wing area of 23.9 $m^2$ (257 sq ft), 46 cells and the aspect ratio is 3.8:1. The take-off weight range is 65 to 85 kg (143 to 187 lb). The glider model is DHV LTF/EN B certified.
  
  **Makalu 4 S/M**
  
  
      Small-medium-sized model for mid-weight pilots. Its 11.7 m (38.4 ft) span wing has a wing area of 26.0 $m^2$ (280 sq ft), 46 cells and the aspect ratio is 3.8:1. The take-off weight range is 75 to 95 kg (165 to 209 lb). The glider model is DHV LTF/EN B certified.
  
  **Makalu 4 M**
  
  
      Medium-sized model for mid-weight pilots. Its 12.7 m (41.7 ft) span wing has a wing area of 28.2 $m^2$ (304 sq ft), 46 cells and the aspect ratio is 3.8:1. The take-off weight range is 100 to 130 kg (220 to 287 lb). The glider model is DHV LTF/EN B certified.
  
  **Makalu 4 L**
  
  
      Large-sized model for heavier pilots. Its 12.2 m (40.0 ft) span wing has a wing area of 30.5 $m^2$ (328 sq ft), 46 cells and the aspect ratio is 3.8:1. The take-off weight range is 85 to 110 kg (187 to 243 lb). The glider model is DHV LTF/EN B certified.
  
  ## Specifications (Makalu M)
  
  Data from Bertrand and manufacturer
  
  General characteristics
  
  * Crew: one
  * Wingspan: 11.9 m (39 ft 1 in)
  * Wing area: 28.5 $m^2$ (307 sq ft)
  * Aspect ratio: 5.0:1
  