Dudek Synthesis User Manual

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User Manual

NOTE! Please read this manual before your first flight

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2. The wing..............................................................................................4

2.1 Design

2.2 Construction

3. Flight operation............................................................................8

3.1 Steering lines and speed system adjustment

3.2 Free flying

3.2.1 Take-offt

3.2.2 Flight

3.2.3 Landing

3.2.4 Winching

3.3 Powered flight

3.3.1 Take-off

3.3.2 Level flight

3.3.3 Landing

3.3.4 Golden rules

3.4 Quick descent methods

1. Introduction......................................................................................3

3.4.1 Big ears

3.4.2 Spiral dive

3.4.3 B-stall

3.5 Acro Flying

3.5.1 Wing over

3.6 Extreme manoeuvrese

3.6.1 One sided collapse

3.6.2 Frontal collapse

3.6.3 Full stall and negative spin

3.6.4 Parachutal stall

3.6.5 Line over and cravatte

3.6.6 Emergency steering

4. Canopy care........................................................................................25

4.1 Storage

4.2 Cleaning

4.3 Repair

4.4 Deterioration - a few tips

5. Technical data.................................................................................27

6. Warranty, AeroCasco..............................................................28

7. What have you bought......................................................................30

8. Rigging tables.....................................................................32

9. Risers........................................................................................37

Page

Trailing edgeTrailing edge

Cell Cell

Leading edge

RisersRisers

Cell

openings

Cell

openings

Main suspension linesMain suspension lines

Trim tabTrim tab

Steering line

Brake pulley

StabilizerStabilizer

1. INTRODUCTION

CONGRATULATIONS!

We are pleased to welcome you among the growing number of Dudek Paragliders pilots. You've become a proud owner of state-of-the-art Synthesis paraglider. Extensive development, application of the most modern methods and thorough testing make the Synthesis a userfriendly paraglider, offering the pilot a lot of fun combined with great performance.

We wish you many enjoyable and safe flying hours.

DISCLAIMER Please read this Manual carefully and note the following details:

$ The purpose of this Manual is to offer guidelines to the pilot using the

Dudek Synthesis wing and it is by no means intended to be used as a training manual for this or any other paraglider in general.

$ You may only fly a paraglider when qualified to do so or when

undergoing training at an accredited School or with an Instructor.

$ Pilots are personally responsible for their own safety and their

paraglider's airworthiness.

$ The use of this paraglider is solely at the user's own risk! The

manufacturer and distributor do not accept any liability connected with this activity.

$ This paraglider on delivery meets all the requirements of the EN 926-1

and 926-2 regulations. Any alterations to the paraglider will render its certification invalid.

NOTICE

Dudek Paragliders warns that due to the constant process of development the actual paraglider may differ slightly from the one described in the manual.

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2. THE WING

WHO SHOULD FLY Synthesis?

Whether you have already tried paramotoring or you’re only learning it – you know it is your game. You are excited with the possibility of taking off almost anywhere. You need a wing that is both agile and easy to control, that will allow you to discover freedom of three-dimensioned journey – there is an endless number of distant and beautiful spots to visit from the air.

Mostly you will be just enjoying your time, but if you one day would like to try yourself out in a competition, you wouldn’t like your wing to confine you. So your paraglider has to be versatile, relatively slow and easy at take off (running around with 40+ kg on your back is not necessarily your ideal of pleasure). Yet it has to be equipped with a set of trimmers allowing it a wide speed range, with possibly high top speed. Of course you would like it to be safe and stable too, both in thermals and in chance turbulences, including top speed configuration (full trim +speedbar).

Synthesis does fulfill all of these seemingly contradicting requirements. It is simply a synthesis of desired powered-wing features with gentle characteristics of free-flying paragliders.

2.1 DESIGN

After a long success story of our Action and ReAction paragliders we’ve set us another ambitious goal: to create a PPG wing that could be flown by pilots of all skill levels, combining great reflex-wing performance with freeflying paragliders ease of take-off. We succeeded and in the Synthesis our dream came true.

While designing it we put a lot of effort into flight safety, pleasant handling, good performance and wide speed range, so that it will satisfy a great many pilots. In many prototypes leading to final Synthesis version we have tested several airfoils based on our own Dudek Reflex Airfoil. Often we tried to decrease its stability in order to achieve take-off and handling, but invariably we ended with worsened safety at full speed with little improvement elsewhere.

After several prototypes our efforts paid up and we arrived at a wing with great maximal speed (61 km/h), wide speed range on trim (37 to 49 km/h) and as easy a start as possible with reflex profile. Main feature of reflex airfoil paragliders, i.e. passive safety, remained intact.

We feel safe to declare the Synthesis to be the best wing available in its class.

The fundamental feature of a good PPG wing is its great stability and tuckresistance. A good PPG wing must be a very stable and tuck-resistant craft.

When this is achieved, the user does not have to concentrate all the time on piloting, thus saving energy for navigation, taking pictures or simply enjoying the flight. In addition the faster and safer your paraglider is, the more often you can fly.

While the Synthesis was designed to retain all the features of a conventional paralider, the application of a reflex aerofoil section added several new qualities. First of all, using that profile means that the wing stability does not depend exclusively on the pilot's weight and actions. It maintains its own pitch attitude, rising and falling through thermals while remaining stable above your head, without need for so much pilot input.

Generally speaking the reflex profile is a special kind of aerofoil section. The specific static pressure distribution creates a situation where at low attack angles, only the wing fore part (some 60% of the chord) is producing lift, while the rear 40% of the chord creates an effective stabiliser against excessive decrease of the attack angle.

The trimmer system allows you to considerably raise the rear part of the airfoil, thus effectively reducing projected chord and surface area by some 30%, giving the paraglider a higher wing loading and increased speed without change in the angle of attack.

The centre of pressure also moves forward, adding enhanced pitch stability. Such a shift of loading gives the wing exceptional tuck-resistance and increases projected aspect ratio, resulting in much better flight data, especially at full speed. Should you require more lift at lower speeds, the rear section can be pulled down to restore a full airfoil, effective along the whole chord.

Piloting the Synthesis actually reminds one more of flying a conventional powered aircraft than a paraglider.

Below we will try to give you a closer look at some of the remarkable Synthesis features.

2.2 DESIGN

The Synthesis 3D body was designed in our CSG (Canopy Shape Guard) system, comprising many elements resulting in exceptional coherence and stability of the shape. Below you will find a short description of CSG subsystems.

The Synthesis has an elliptical planform with slightly rearward swept tips. Every second cell is divided in two, with ribs additionally supported by diagonal VSS (V-shaped supports) system. Such arrangement ensures a smooth top surface, exact aerofoil reproduction across the entire wingspan and yet more importantly, minimal number of suspension points.

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The lower surface has a RSS (Reinforcing Strap System) applied in the wing’s interior. RSS is an ballooning-independent reinforcements system made entirely of paragliding fabric, effectively stiffening and stabilizing the canopy.

Synthesis’ aerofoil is another product of our Dudek Reflex Airfoil technology. It was calculated with our previous experiences in mind and thoroughly tested with numerical methods

The suspension points areas are additionally reinforced with laminated fabric so that loads are equally distributed on three planes: vertically (with the ribs), diagonally (with VSS system) and level through RSS.

All crossports have been prepared using OCD (Optimised Crossports Design) technology. Carefully designed shapes of the openings and their optimal placement between stress lines guarantee efficient pressure distribution in the canopy and its quick inflation. These openings are scaled together with the ribs, so that their replicability is flawless and they do not disturb the aerofoil in any way.

The Synthesis’ leading edge is closed to airflow, and its precise shape is supported by reinforcements of laminated fabric.

Cell openings are positioned on the undersurface in the vicinity of leading edge. Their position was chosen very carefully, so that they got maximum ram effect in possibly many flight situations. In several places the leading edge features our CCS (Closed Cell Structure) system – this is a number of closed cells in most important locations. It’s goal is to hinder the backflow form the cells out and thus to facilitate their refilling and canopy recovery in case of a collapse.

Each wingtip consists of four additional cells creating stabilizers. They maintain correct tension of the canopy, improve directional stability and play important role in keeping your turns efficient and even. In the very tips there are cleaning slots, placed there for easy removal of dirt form inside the wing.

Careful selection of modern fabrics and design solutions brings about great strength and durability of the Synthesis. All materials used come from marked production batches, and each production step can be verified down to identification of specific worker and controller.

Fabric

Each kind fabric has it unique features and characteristics. We composed them so that their interplay creates a perfect blend.

The Synthesis’ upper surface is made of Porcher Skytex 45 Evolution fabric (formerly named Aquatic), perfectly proven in our earlier wings. Basically it's a nylon material covered with superb E85A impregnate, introduced into mass production in January 2002 after a series of extensive laboratory and

real flying tests. Such covered fabric is not very stiff and - what's most important - has increased tear, stretch and UV resistance. It is not siliconed, so minor repairs can be easily made with self-adhesive strips.

The lower surface is made of Skytex 40 Classic with E38A impregnate. This fabric has a great weight/resistance ratio and is one of the greatest Porcher successes in providing proper materials for the paragliding industry.

The ribs must be as rigid and stretch-resistant as possible. We found these qualities in Skytex 40 Hard with E29A impregnate. All reinforcements are made of SR-Scrim.

Rigging system

All of the Synthesis suspension lines are sheathed by a coloured polyester layer which is covering brownish Technora core. Low number of lines required such composition, featuring high strength and stretch-resistance.

The rigging system consists of individual lines looped and stitched at each end. The main lines are made of Technora and depending on their location. have 1.8 mm, 1.5 mm, 1.3 mm or 1.2 mm diameters. Such diversity stems from different loads on the line groups concerned. Lines of the middle and upper layers are made of 1.2 or 1.3 mm Technora.

The upper level lines (gallery) start at the attachment points. Every two lines join one middle layer line. These in turn connect by twos or threes to the main suspension lines, which are attached to the risers with triangular quick links (maillons). To prevent their slipping off, the lines are kept together with a rubber 'O ring'. All the maillons are made of corrosion resistant, polished stainless steel, ensuring excellent strength and durability.

Brake lines run from the trailing edge through consecutive cascades to the main steering lines, which are lead through pulleys connected to the rear risers and then fixed to the brake handles.

Steering lines do not carry any load until the brakes are applied. Some of the steering lines (of the FC group) are additionally led through rings sewn into the trailing edge. Because of this feature the trailing edge is shortened on application of the brake, so that steering becomes lighter and more effective.

All the lines are distinguished with colours depending on their strength and diameter as follows:

2,3 mm; strength: 420 daN; colour: celadon (willow green), 1,8 mm; strength: 280 daN; colour: red and orange (the latter for

pulling big ears),

1,5 mm; strength: 190 daN; colour: violet, 1,3 mm; strength: 140 daN; colour: green, 1,2 mm; strength: 90 daN; colour: blue.

(given colours are subject to slight changes).

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The risers

For the Synthesis we have chosen four-way risers equipped with:

$ ELR (Easy Launch Riser) system. This is an specially marked A

rises (gold ribbon)

$ speed-system affecting A, B and C risers when engaged;,

$ trimmers of red band with visible scale (red – slow and blue – fast

trim setting), designed for quick and easy replacement in case of deterioration;

$ two levels of the pulleys, to be used depending on the hangpoint

$ Tip Steering Toggle system (see details on pages 10).

For quick and easy recognition in emergency, some of the risers are distinguished with coloured band as follows:

A - gold (used for launching) A' - blue (used for big ears) B - red (used for B-stall) D - grey (needed to keep the glider down in strong winds or

interrupting the launch).

Main A row suspension lines connect to an A riser (gold) and A' (blue). B and stabiliser lines go to B riser (red), C lines (black) go to C riser, and D lines to D riser (grey), which through pulleys keep the steering lines too.

Brake handles are attached to the steering lines at optimal places, guaranteeing safe and effective operation. On the main brake lines there are two points marked, higher and lower, to be used depending on the harness hangpoint. On adjusting the steering lines see chapter 3.1.

Our newest brake handle used in Synthesis besides its robust yet light design features:

$ DCT (Double Comfort Toggle) system,

$ EK (Easy Keeper) system - look below

3. FLIGHT OPERATION

3.1 STEERING LINES AND SPEED SYSTEM ADJUSTMENT

We strongly advise following actions to be supported by an instructor or at least an experienced pilot.

A brand-new Synthesis has its steering lines positioned for powered flight in high hangpoint configuration.

The risers of the Synthesis are shorter than in most paragliders, so the differences in hangpoints present somewhat smaller problem. Still, there are two sets of pulleys prepared, higher and lower (see risers scheme on page

37). Also on the main steering lines there are two spots marked for brake handles to be accordingly fixed.

When flying with lower hangpoints (or free-flying) the brake lines are to be run through the higher pulleys only, and the brake handles should be positioned at higher marks, thus shortening the brakes in general. The rule is simple - higher hangpoints require longer brake lines, lower hangpoints require shorter lines.

Before you take your Synthesis on powered flight, we strongly advise to try out everything first. Hang up the entire PPG unit with ropes, sit in the harness and have someone pull up the risers. You must make sure that in flight you will always be able to reach the brake handles, even if the airflow blows them away.

While being suspended in this way, you have a perfect opportunity to adjust the speed system too. The speedbar should not be pulling pull its lines (and risers) when it is not applied. Neither should it be too loose, for it could catch the propeller then.

An additional way to check the whole configuration out is to visit take-off site in steady winds. With the engine off, fill the wing and take it up over your head. When it stabilises, check that the brakes are loose and are not pulling the trailing edge. There should be a spare inch or so before they activate. Remember that it is always safer to set the margin of play too big than too small. And, most important, the setting must always be symmetrical.

3.2 FREE FLIGHT (no power unit)

Although the Synthesis according to its design book is a fast PPG wing, it behaves surprisingly well as a classic paraglider too and can be used as such without any changes.

The essential difference between Synthesis and classic paragliders means is due to its increased tuck-resistance (both during start and flight) and greater

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Tip Steering Toggles (TST)

In order to facilitate steering the wing while at maximum speed configuration (opened trimmers and full speed-bar) we've invented our own novel system of controlling the stabilizers. Prior to grabbing miniature TST-handles (Tip Steering Toggles) pilot places the main steering handles in a special Toggle Docking Stations, equipped with strong neodymium magnets. In this way you can comfortably steer the wing via TST handles, not worrying about the brakes getting tangled.

Easy Catch bar

The Easy Catch Bar is a medicine for all those having troubles with finding bar inflight. It is designed so that the bar always remains forward of the lines.

The bar itself is very durable – it is going to serve you long.

TDS

handle

TST

1111

Double Comfort Toggle (DCT)

DCT: in order to satisfy different needs of our clients we have created a Double Comfort Toggle system. With this solution it is possible to have your brake handles in stiff or soft configuration, with no need to buy another set of toggles and replace them every time. All you have to do now is take out the stiffening rod and there you are - the soft handle is ready to use.

Easy Keeper (EK)

Easy Keeper is the name of our new indigenous way to hold the brake handles at the risers. The strong neodymium magnets keep them firmly in place, while both attaching and releasing goes smoothly and easily. This idea was developed especially for the PPG dedicated paragliders, for there is often a need to take your hands off the brakes to check or fix things. With Easy keeper you can easily secure the brakes in flight, thus minimizing danger of their contact with the propeller.

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speed range it can be safely flown in strong conditions. Generally (and paradoxically from traditional point of view) the faster you fly, the safer is your flight.

3.2.1 TAKE-OFF

In case of classic launch we recommend that after laying out the wing all lines be taut, without unnecessary play. The Synthesis is pulled up with A risers only. The optimal trim setting is “0” (when launching for powered flight) or fully closed (when launching free-flight). Applying steady pressure on the A risers move forward. The wing practically does not overshoot, so the front collapses that otherwise happen quite often at launch, with the Synthesis occur rarely. Instead it kind of waits for you to catch up with it.

In case of reverse launch we also recommend abovementioned trim settings. Due to lack of overshooting take-off is easy, pilot has only to brake slightly. Reverse launches can be executed without any problems even in weak wind (1,5 m/s).

Caution!

During take-off it is important to keep the risers under pressure until almost airborne. Reflex profile used has an inherent tendency to increase the angle of attack. In effect, Synthesis can lag behind the pilot when not pulled up appropriately.

3.2.2 FLIGHT

The increased speed range of Synthesis may demand some attention. Nevertheless, once you have mastered these additional aspects, flying will become pure pleasure. Good handling will let you make the best use of thermals, and increased speed on glides means that your presence in sinking air will be shorter.

To avoid stalls when braking with slow trims setting (red area), their movement is restricted by the tape sewing. (Note: it is possible to push the sewn tape through the buckle with both hands to replace it, but normal operation range is restricted by said place.

When the trims are fully opened (blue area) the wing becomes faster and stiffer, increasing its stability even more. The brake forces increase too, as well as the distance to the stall point. The radius and

bank angle in turns grow proportionately to the growing brake forces. If the trims are set fast (or fully opened) and the wing is not flown near the ground, a switch to TST steering is advised (see page 10). TST system can be used in all speed system & trim configuration.

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+ 30 hidden pages

Dudek Synthesis User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual