1714 | Pg Skies
For the hardcore alpine pilot, the PG Skies 1714 isn't just a glider. It is a flight instructor that lives in a backpack. It is a reminder that paragliding is an art of active inputs, not passive drifting. | Feature | Score (out of 10) | Note | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Stability in Turbulence | 9 | Fantastic pressure retention | | Ease of Launch | 4 | Heavy and requires technique | | Climb Rate | 8 | Excellent in narrow cores | | Glide Performance | 7 | Good for 2003, slow by 2025 standards | | Fun Factor | 9 | Very high for experienced pilots | | Safety | 5 | Not forgiving; requires high pilot skill |
But what exactly is the PG Skies 1714? Is it a wing, a harness, or a piece of avionics? This comprehensive article will dissect every aspect of the "1714," exploring its history, technical specifications, flight characteristics, and why it still commands respect (and high resale value) on the used market today. First, let's clarify the nomenclature. PG Skies was a boutique paragliding manufacturer based primarily in the Alpine regions of Europe, active during the late 1990s and early 2000s. While they never achieved the global scale of Nova, Advance, or Ozone, they were revered by connaisseurs for their meticulous attention to fabric stress-mapping and brake line geometry. pg skies 1714
The 1714 has a massive speed range. With the bar pushed to the max (about 14 cm), the wing hits 55 km/h. Warning: Pushing bar on a PG Skies 1714 releases the "belly pressure." You must keep your hands active on the brakes when accelerated, or you will suffer a massive asymmetric collapse. Thermal Riding This is where the 1714 shines. The wing has a high "roll damping" rate. When you enter a thermal, it banks slowly and predictably. Unlike modern wings that snap into a turn, the 1714 carves like a skier. You can core weak lift without looking at the vario because the seat-of-the-pants feedback is so raw. The Infamous "Pitch" The bad side? The PG Skies 1714 has a pronounced pitch oscillation tendency. If you fly through the rotor of a tree line, the wing will surge forward. A modern wing has a dampener; the 1714 does not. It will pitch 30 degrees forward, then 20 degrees back. You need to use precise brake inputs to stop the oscillation, otherwise, you might find yourself in a "elevator ride." Landing Approach with energy. The 1714 has a flat glide (approx 1:9.5). It does not like to flare early. Wait until you are 2 meters above the ground, then commit to a deep, progressive flare. If you flare too early, the wing will just sit there and you will land on your back. Who is the PG Skies 1714 For? Let’s be blunt: This is not a beginner wing. For the hardcore alpine pilot, the PG Skies
Fly safe, keep your brake lines untangled, and never stop seeking the ridge lift. | Feature | Score (out of 10) |
The is not a model name in the traditional sense. Rather, it refers to the project number and area code of their most successful tandem/solo high-performance wing. In internal factory documents, "1714" denoted the wing's projected surface area (17.14 square meters) combined with the engineering team's draft number (Project 17, variant 4).