Beal Air Force 3
The Air Force 3 is a tube-style device from Beal with a guide mode; it weighs 89 g. Rated for single, half and twin ropes from 7.3 to 10.5 mm, with two rope slots. It rappels on one or two strands. In stock at 14 shops from 22.00 EUR.
Beal's belay device for the belay station: in guide mode it belays or blocks one or two seconds on ropes of 7.3 to 10.5 mm, and a small hole is used to release the ropes under tension. Four grooves take a single rope or two half or twin ropes; the two V-grooves give slack easily and add friction for braking. 89 g, aluminium; EN 15151-2:2012; each device is individually numbered.
Air Force 3 rope compatibility
Compatible with 158 of the 166 single, half and twin ropes we track.
- Mammut 10.0 Galaxy Classic (10 mm single)
- Tendon Smart 10.0 (10 mm single)
- Mammut 9.5 Gym Classic (9.5 mm single)
- Tendon Smart Lite 9.8 (9.8 mm single)
- Fixe Liana 9.6 (9.6 mm single)
What the Air Force 3 is for
Best for multi pitch, trad and alpine. Aimed at intermediate to advanced climbers.
Strengths & Trade-offs
Air Force 3 strengths
- Guide mode for one or two seconds
- Release hole to unlock a loaded rope
- Half, twin and single ropes, 7.3 to 10.5 mm
- Individually numbered
Air Force 3 trade-offs
- No assisted braking
- Heavier than the Air Force 2 (89 g against 75 g)
Air Force 3 specifications
| Brand | Beal |
| Model | Air Force 3 |
| Device type | Tube with guide mode |
| Braking | Manual (brake hand) |
| Lowering | Rope friction only |
| Rope diameter | 7.3-10.5 mm |
| Rope types | Single, half and twin |
| Rope slots | 2 |
| Weight | 89 g (3.1 oz) |
| Material | Aluminium |
| Certification | CE EN 15151 |
| Released | 2019 |
| Guide mode | Yes |
| Anti-panic function | No |
| Lead / top-rope switch | No |
| Rappel | One or two strands |
What the Air Force 3 costs
Prices checked 15 Oct 2026 across 14 shops that currently stock it (22.00 to 32.99 EUR). Cheapest current offer: 22.00 EUR at oliunid.it, 12% below the 25.00 EUR list price.
| Retailer | Price |
|---|---|
| oliunid.it | 22.00 EUR |
| epictv.com | 22.00 EUR |
| blackisard.com | 23.47 EUR |
| snowleader.com | 23.90 EUR |
| klimwinkel.nl | 25.50 EUR |
| barrabes.com | 25.99 EUR |
| hardloop.de | 27.00 EUR |
| sportokay.com | 27.27 EUR |
| outdoortrends.de | 27.89 EUR |
| bananafingers.co.uk | 28.07 EUR |
| + 4 more shops | |
Alternatives to the Air Force 3
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