Flight Design
As Omen’s first foil, we wanted the Operator to exceed expectations in the widest range of applications. Extensive testing, iterative design, and feedback from all levels of rider increased our understanding of the interaction between various aspects of the design, and how they create the sensations felt while riding. This open mindset enabled us to optimize performance while mitigating compromises.
Stall speed and angle, minimum power requirement, cruising speed, and top speed stability were focal points of the airfoil design. Everything from light wind ocean swell on a downwind SUP to well overhead waves are well within the Operator’s comfort zone. Choosing what foil to ride is easier than ever.
Turning Performance
Another central design goal was to maximize glide without compromising roll response. Pushing the wingspan out to 90cm for efficiency, it was clear that a unique design would be required to keep turning feeling natural. Through many iterations, the variables contributing to roll response have been teased out and incorporated into the profile of the Operator. The 1050 strikes a natural feeling balance between unreactive and over-tuned.
The next problem with the higher aspect design was wingtip breaches in hard carves or sailing upwind through waves. Investigation of this phenomena led to the discovery that the combination of upturned wingtips and certain airfoil pressure distributions mitigate unpredictable loss of control during breaching. Adjusting these factors led to the ventilation resistance and minimal control change characteristic of the final variation of the Operator design. This is a wing you can push to your limit with confidence.
Uncompromised Mast
Omen worked alongside NoLimitz to design an incredibly stiff, efficient, responsive, and light mast. The foil section has been refined to minimize drag across all AoAs while resisting ventilation during aggressive turns and upwind tacks. The subtle rake reduces yaw stability change at different ride-heights, increasing the sweet spot in the water column.
Built at the ICE aerospace facility by skilled technicians, the mast represents a union of precision manufacturing technology, materials engineering, and years of foiling experience.
Streamlined Fuselage
Foils fly at a positive angle of attack at low speed and transition through neutral to a negative angle at high speed. Because of this, the fuselage has a much greater impact on drag than conventionally thought. Since the primary goal of the operator series was to achieve the greatest possible efficiency over the widest possible range, the shape and size of the fuselage is as streamlined and small as possible.
Using 316 stainless steel for the highest load areas and forged carbon fiber for the stiffness critical extension, the Operator maintains an ultra low profile and glides further across an unprecedented range of speeds.
This efficiency combined with the low drag connections and fairings created a positive feedback loop. Since the tail doesn’t need to provide as much stabilizing downforce, more efficient designs can be used. This further reduces the system’s overall drag and stabilization requirement. The end result is greater glide, easier takeoff, and less effort in pumping without sacrificing control at high speed.
J
My first experience with the Operator was in Chicama, Peru. I found my ‘high performance’ gear wasn’t good enough for that wave. Greg from Omen had some extra gear and put together a rig for me to try. I never gave it back! Conditions were small, but the next day I was unlocking 4 minute rides. Incredible! Absolutely saved the trip. I ordered my own set up as soon as we got back. I’ve found the Operator to be very fast, stable and predictable. New to winging, the 1050 gave me an instant confidence and performance boost providing the glide needed for figuring out gybes and flagging out in the heavy wind swell we get on Vancouver Island. For me, it’s in the waves that the 1050 truly performs. It handles everything from knee to head high with the same predictable performance, allowing me to really push it. Drops, whitewater, connecting sections, bottom to top carves, full tip breaches, pumping 4 for 1’s. It’s all so EASY on the Operator.
M
Operator 1050, is a wing with a huge range, very, very easy to take off, with great speed and glide, certainly the most balanced wing and good curves that I have ever used... not to mention Greg's great assistance and patience to help with choices and configurations! premium product
S
While I prone the Operator 1050, for me, the magic of this foil kit comes to life on the wing. As an intermediate, 165 lb, 64 year old winger, this set up is remarkable. It is simply simple. From the ease of a predictable lift off, to fast smooth tacks, to wonderful rail to rail turns, no other foil that I have ridden comes close to the Operator.
A
As an intermediate I was a little worried this foil set might be too much for me, but it's been the exact opposite and is pushing me to be a better rider. I'm absolutely loving it! I expected the system to have a great bottom end and early to fly but I've been surprised at just how fast (but still controllable) it is. It really is a magic carpet ride. So far I have used it winging, proning and even tow-in so whilst still very early days, I can already see this system is going to be my go-to for some time. I've been using it with an Omen Flux 60 and its clear from the outset that the foils and the board are designed for each other. The foils work great on my downwind board as well mind you, but on the flux they enter another dimension completely. Add to this how well they are constructed and how light the system is and there's just no comparison.
H
I’m only an intermediate, but my Omen 1050 is absolutely incredible. It rides beautifully on all kinds of winds, is perfectly smooth and balanced once I correctly aligned the mast, and more importantly it does what you expect it to do. It turns just right, and glides so fast on the swells that I’m able to do any cutback I want whenever I want, and if I go straight I simply accelerate to the wave ahead, rise over it and go down its face. Rince and repeat. Incredible.