Icare Test, Icare Expo, Icarnaval... a lot has happened in the last few days at Coupe Icare, the world's largest event for free flight and ultralight aviation since 1974.
It all kicked off on September 15–16, 2026, with the “Icare Test” Testival. UP’s sales partner for France, Franck Smektala, was there in person to offer advice and even held a raffle for a RIMO 2. Our EN-C 2-liner TORRE was in high demand here. We’re thrilled by all the excellent feedback we received not only on this model but also on our other paragliders! Our French Team Pilot, Remy Heliot, embarked on the first mountain hike with a prototype of CERRO - our ultralight development for 2027 - in perfect weather. How fitting, considering he recently wrote 10 tips for your hike & fly progress.
Following the Testival, the “Icare Expo” trade show took place from September 17–20, with UP once again exhibiting in the Barish tent, Aisle H, just like last year. Here, also visitors were able to get their first close look at UP’s long-awaited CERRO, an ultralight 2-liner in the C class (certification currently pending). Some pilots took the opportunity to talk personally with Co-Designer Jaromir Masek about the new paraglider. In addition, the UP booth featured a sneak-peek presentation of the upcoming UP harness. We’ll be sharing more information on this shortly.
Also in attendance from Team UP were CEO Christian Rönning, Sales and Quality Manager Martin Fischer, and UP Team Pilots from around the world. Raven Girouard, for example, traveled all the way from Canada to participate in the costume flying event, the “Icarnaval,” with her TRANGO X and dressed as a pink dragon - despite having a brace on her foot. We’d like to congratulate her on winning first place in the women’s division and take this opportunity to thank all the other participants and visitors as well!
Unfortunately, in addition to the many wonderful experiences, there was also cause for grief, as a tandem hang glider crashed fatally on the last day of the event. We join the organizer and the Coupe Icare community in extending our sympathies to their loved ones and families.