Paraglider EN classes — the overview
EN-A to D per EN 926-2, plus the CIVL/FAI CCC class, what the class does and does not say — and which APCO canopy plays in which class per its certification.
The EN 926-2 standard classifies paragliders by their behaviour in standardised test manoeuvres into classes A, B, C and D; alongside, the CIVL/FAI runs its own CCC competition class (not part of the EN standard). Testing is done by accredited bodies (e.g. Air Turquoise). EN 926-1 separately governs the structural strength test.
The classes
- EN A — wings with maximum passive safety; the class of the flight schools.
- EN B — the broadest class; the market commonly distinguishes low/mid/high B.
- EN C — performance wings demanding active flying.
- EN D — competition wings with a high aspect ratio.
- CCC — the CIVL/FAI competition class (outside EN 926-2).
What the class does not say: it is not a measure of speed, glide or quality — it describes the behaviour in the test manoeuvres and thus the demand on the pilot.
Class per size — the most overlooked point
Certification applies per size, not per model. Real examples from the APCO range:
- KARISMA II: EN A in S/M/L; XS and XL carry the DGAC approval.
- VISTA VI: EN B, the XS as EN B*.
- HYBRID: EN-B/DGAC — per the manufacturer, “all but 2 manoeuvres rated EN-A”.
- HYBRID Tandem: EN B* (110–190 kg) — likewise with all manoeuvres EN-A apart from two.
Therefore: always check the certification line of your own size in the datasheet. Our product pages link the certificates per size.
The APCO canopies by certification
| Model | Certification | Position (manufacturer) |
|---|---|---|
| KARISMA II | EN A (S/M/L; XS/XL DGAC) | “training all the way up to cross country flights” |
| VISTA VI | EN B (XS: B*) | “APCO’s middle B” for pilots stepping up |
| HYBRID | EN-B / DGAC | hybrid profile, “all but 2 manoeuvres rated EN-A” |
| HYBRID Tandem | EN B* (110–190 kg) | “perfect for commercial tandem” |
| NESTRA Light | EN B | “high end EN-B … C level performance … with real life B level safety” |
| ADAMA | — (ground trainer) | “simulate the behaviour of a full scale wing” |
The paramotor line (F5, F7, F3, F1, NRG III, F3 Bi) carries the DGAC approval — for countries requiring EN-A in school operation, APCO points to the KARISMA II: “For some countries EN A certification is still mandatory for schools. KARISMA II has this certification which cannot be obtained on reflex wings.”
EN and LTF
LTF is the German airworthiness requirement — today harmonised with EN; certificates therefore often carry both (“EN/LTF”), as on the Mayday reserves. For second-hand wings with an old LTF rating: do not equate 1:1 with modern EN classes — when in doubt, a workshop check and the test report.
Moving up through the classes
The manufacturer’s positioning sets the order within the APCO range: KARISMA II (EN A) for training → VISTA VI as the “middle B … for pilots who wish to step up” → NESTRA Light as the “high end EN-B” for experienced XC pilots. The direct comparisons: KARISMA II vs VISTA VI · VISTA VI vs NESTRA.
We answer questions about the class of your size with the original certificate: [email protected].