ICARO Gravis — A Mild B for the Weekend Pilot, But It Really Does Float

The strengths are clear. The Gravis keeps the passive safety of a mild B while leaving the brakes alive, it floats in weak bubbles, and it out-glides its own class. Big ears take a slightly firm hand to hold, but release and the wing recovers quickly on its own. It is the right combination for a pilot who wants safety first without being bored. Set your expectations precisely, though. Bassil's refusal to compare its glide with the Rook 2 and the Mentor 5 wasn't modesty — it was a line drawn. Buy a Gravis hoping to keep up with high-end Bs and stretch your XC distances and you will be disappointed. This isn't a glider that takes you further; it's a glider that keeps you in the air longer when conditions are weak. It is a design that understands what a pilot who flies on weekends actually needs.