AFNOR vs DHV (April 7, 1996 - Kinsley Wong)

This is a very brief comparison of the two popular certification tests found on most Paragliders.

AFNOR is a standard run by the French Standards Institute.

DHV (Deutscher Hangegleiter Verband- in Germany) issues tested canopies with a Gutesiegel if they pass.

ACPUL (Association des Constructeurs de Parapente Ultra Legers) is a manufacturers' association based in Europe.

Both organizations have a load test and flying tests. Load test of 8 times the maximum flying weight to ensure the canopy is strong enough.

AFNOR's flying test has 3 grades and a tandem/dual category. AFNOR has 17 flying tests. All canopies tested under AFNOR have to pass only the tests for the intended category. This means competition canopies will not be tested for spin, asymmetric stall, etc…(please see the comparison table).

These categories are:

  1. Standard: suitable for beginners and advanced pilots (ACPUL 12As)
  2. Performance: suitable for advanced pilots (ACPUL 11As and 1B or 1C)
  3. Competition: suitable for advanced/competition pilots.

DHV Gutesiegel's flying test has three main categories: 1, 2 and 3. There are also two overlaps categories: ½ and 2/3. DHV Gutesiegel has 13 flying tests. All canopies tested under DHV must PASS ALL the test regardless of the intended market.

  1. DHV 1: suitable for beginners and advanced pilots
  2. DHV 2: suitable for advanced pilots
  3. DHV 3: suitable for advanced/competition pilots
Test DHV Gutesiegel AFNOR Standard AFNOR Performance AFNOR Competion
Take Off/Inflation yes yes yes yes
Landing yes yes yes yes
Straight Line Flight yes yes yes yes
As above with trimmers yes yes yes yes
Pitch Stability yes yes yes no
Deep Stall with Brakes yes yes yes yes
B-line stall, fast release yes yes yes yes
B-line stall, slow release yes yes yes no
Handling in turns yes yes yes yes
Sharp turns yes yes yes yes
Wing Over/Turn Reversal yes yes yes yes
Asymmetric Tuck yes yes yes yes
Asymmetric Tuck held in no yes yes yes
Spin yes yes yes no
Asymmetric Stall yes yes yes no
Symmetric Tuck yes yes yes no
Spiral Dive yes yes yes yes
Full Stall Symmetric Recovery yes no no no
As Above Asymmetric Recovery yes no no no
Abnormal Incidents yes no no no