The FR4 has more performance and is easier to fly than the FR3.

The FR4 has less aspect ratio and so is easier to fly, and the handling is better.

Safety is also better on the FR4, with almost no cravats any more in the tips.

Top speed is better, higher with better stability and glide.

Main difference is that glide in turbulent air the glide on the FR4 is better than the FR3.

Main design changes are: less arc, less aspect ratio, 5x instead of 3x. Different profile, different speed system

As for that Mercury is concerned I have seen this glider in St Andre. They are slowly catching up with Airwave. The mercury is trying to go from 4 rows of lines to 3 rows, but they have not been able to remove all the D lines in the middle of the wing and so there are still 4 rows in the middle and 3 rows in the tip, but they have got rid of the D lines for half of the wing.

Maybe next year Axis will manage to make a true 3 line glider. I will be interested to see.

Hope to fly soon again with you, take care.

All the best,

Bruce

Dear Markus / Martin,
 
Now some comp pilots is thinking in Mercury (Axis) here in my country but is no problem, also Airwave is an excelent glider, if you can help me out with the follow two questions i will appreciate it:

1. The differences (advantages) between fr3 vs fr4

2. The differences between Airwave FR4 and Axis Mercury. 
 
Regards,
 
Jose
Colombia

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