What is EN Certification?
Every paragliding wing sold in Europe (and used as a reference almost everywhere else) is tested against the EN 926-2 standard and sorted into one of four classes: EN-A, EN-B, EN-C or EN-D. The test looks at how a wing behaves when things go wrong in the air — how it reacts to collapses, stalls, and other disturbances, and how much the pilot needs to do to bring it back to normal flight. EN-A is broadly the most passively safe and forgiving class, with the calmest, most predictable reactions. EN-D sits at the other end, closest to competition gear, reacting faster and demanding quick, precise pilot input. EN-B and EN-C fall in between, with EN-B generally still very manageable and EN-C asking for more active piloting.
Importance of EN Certification for Beginners
For a new pilot, EN certification is not a technicality — it's one of the clearest, most honest signals you have when comparing wings you've never flown. A forgiving wing gives you more room to make the small mistakes every beginner makes: a late brake input, an asymmetric collapse in gusty air, a slightly rough landing flare. That extra margin is exactly what EN-A and EN-B classes are built to test for. It doesn't replace training or good judgement, but it does mean the wing itself is working with you, not against you, while you're still learning.
Why is EN certification important for beginner pilots?
Because it's a standardised, independently tested measure — not marketing language. Two wings from two different brands both labelled EN-A have been through the same category of tests, which makes comparing them far more honest than comparing specs sheets alone.
Overview of EN-A and EN-B Wings
In Altura's catalogue you'll find examples of both. The Eazy 4 is an EN-A wing, and its maker positions it for school and beginner use, with the calm, forgiving behaviour that class is designed to test for. The Soar 2 is an EN-B wing with a 2.5-liner design, generally aimed at pilots moving past their very first steps in the sport. There's also the UFO, a mini wing rated EN-A/B — a reminder that EN class alone doesn't tell you everything; a mini wing flies differently to a full-size wing even within the same certification, and how it behaves also depends on how it's loaded.
What is the difference between EN-A and EN-B wings?
In general terms, EN-A wings sit at the more forgiving end of the spectrum, while EN-B wings can allow slightly more dynamic handling in exchange for asking a bit more active input from the pilot. Neither is automatically "better" — it depends on where you are in your training and what your instructor thinks you're ready for.
Choosing the Right Wing Based on EN Certification
EN class is a strong starting filter, but it isn't the only thing to weigh. Your body weight relative to a wing's certified range, your local flying conditions, and your own progress as a pilot all matter too. EN-C and EN-D wings are generally not appropriate for beginners — they're tested to a standard that assumes faster, more experienced reactions, and stepping into them too early removes the safety margin you actually need while learning.
Can I use an EN-B wing as a beginner?
Some beginners do move onto an EN-B wing, often once they've built some hours and confidence under an instructor's guidance — but this is a personal decision, not a general rule, and it should always be made together with the school that's watching you fly, not from a spec sheet alone.
Conclusion and Next Steps
EN certification won't tell you everything about a wing, but it gives you an honest, tested starting point — far more reliable than guessing from photos or price alone. If you're not sure where you sit yet, Altura's AI gear matcher can take your stated experience level, or a flight track if you have one, and suggest which certification class and wing type is worth discussing with your instructor next.