SAFA Skysailor Magazine

25 September | October 2024 SKY SAILOR New Products Triple Seven Rook 4 The new high B Rook 4 replaces the Rook 3. Here’s what Ziad Bassil thought of the Rook 4: “The construction, details, lines, stitching, etc, seem on the higher end of quality. The new risers look nice, robust, and refined. Even in light wind, the Rook 4 launches smoothly. Brake travel is slightly longer than the Rook 3 but still direct and efficient. The Rook 4 is an agile glider for the B category. The handling and authority on the brakes are well balanced for a clean performance turning radius. I flew the Rook 4 next to my friend on his Rook 3 MS 75-95 at 94 all up. We did a lot of glides and climbed together, testing improvements. Gliding next to the Rook 3 in relatively calm air at trim speed for 5km, the Rook 4 gained around 5-7m. In very weak lift, the Rook 3 still has excellent float-ability, but the Rook 4 is super close. When thermals get around 1m/s, the Rook 4 thermals more efficiently. The pressure on the C steering is moderate to firm. Pulling outside ears seems slightly unstable the more lines you pull, they show a tendency to reopen, flap, and not stay under. The speed bar has moderate pressure even at full speed, with 14-15km/h over trim. Induced asymmetrics are benign and easy to recover. The Rook 4 embodies the intermediate high B well – a fairly comfortable glider for the category, and a high efficiency in glide. A lovely glider to test fly if you aim for good XC flying.” Visit the website for more.