English
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Welcome
Congratulations and thank you from Gin Gliders on your purchase of the Boomerang, the
winning glider of the ’99 and ’00 Paragliding World Cup Constructor’s trophy. Whatever your
goals are in paragliding, we are confident that the Boomerang will help you to reach them.
Being an experienced pilot, you probably know most of the techniques laid out in this manual
involved in flying a paraglider. We would, however, like you to read this manual thoroughly.
Safe flying starts with a good theoretical background.
For whom and why
The Boomerang is designed for all kinds of flying, from ridge soaring and thermalling to
cross country and competition flying. It is also suitable for towing.
We expect the dealer and end-user to have sufficient knowledge and experience of high
performance paragliders, their uses and dangers. Should this not be the case, this manual can
never be the means to gain that experience.
This glider has been designed for a pilot who:
- flies more than 50 flights a year
- has previous experience of thermal flying in strong and turbulent conditions
- can assess the conditions he/she is flying in and if necessary abort the flight
- has completed a safety training course
The information in this manual can under no circumstances replace a proper training in an
authorized paragliding school.If a friend offers you free beginner’s ”lessons” with a
Boomerang or any other paraglider, don’t be tempted, deny firmly.
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Contents
Welcome to the flying world of Gin Gliders ………………………………………………… 2
For whom and why? ………………………………………………………………………… 2
Table of contents …………………………………………………………………………… 3
Testing ……………………………………………………………………………………… 4
Construction? ………………………………………………………………………………… 5
Brake adjustment …………………………………………………………………………… 5
Speed system ……………………………………………………………………………… 6
Rucksack …………………………………………………………………………………… 7
Unpacking …………………………………………………………………………………… 7
Preparing for launch ………………………………………………………………………… 7
Pre-flight ……………………………………………………………………………… 8
Take-off ……………………… ……………………………………………………… 8
Tangled lines ………………………………………………………………………… 9
Tow take-off …………………………………………………………………………… 9
Motorized flight ……………………………………………………………………………… 9
Flying the Boomerang ………………………………………………………………………… 9
In turbulence ………………………………………… …………………………………… 10
Flat spin …………………………………………………………………………… 10
Asymmetric deflation ………………………………………………………………… 10
Frontal deflation ……………………………………………………………………… 10
Cravatte ……………………………………………………………………………… 11
Cascade of events …………………………………………………………………… 11
On materials ………………………………………………………………………… 11
Rapid descent techniques …………………………………………………………………… 11
Big Ears ……………………………………………………………………………… 12
360 spiral dive ……………………………………………………………………… 12
“B” stall …………………………………………………………………………… 13
Deep stall …………………………………………………………………………… 13
Full stall …………………………………………………………………………… 13
Steering without brakes …………………………………………………………………… 13
Aerobatics ………………………………………………………………………………… 13
Landing the Boomerang …………………………………………………………………… 14
Packing instructions ………………………………………………………………………… 14
Care and maintenance ……………………………………………………………………… 14
Inspections …………………………………………………………………………… 15
Security, responsibility and flying ………………………………………………………… 15
Technical specifications …………………………………………………………………… 16
Line plan ………………………………………………………………………………… 17
Description ………………………………………………………………… 18,19,20,21,22,23
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Certification
The Gin Gliders Boomerang has passed AFNOR tests in the COMPETITION Category.
It has also been shock-tested and passed with a load corresponding to more than 8G of the
maximum weight in flight.
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Design
The new Boomerang has been fully revised for 2001 and beyond from the original
Boomerang, the most successful competition glider of the past 3 years. Its pedigree is secondto-none. Improvements have been made to the handling, glide ratio, maximum speed and take off characteristics. This has been achieved by the introduction of several new technological
features, such as the patented Rigifoil System, new computer software to optimize the shape
at the nose fo the glider, and a new planform to optimize sink rate and handling.
Construction
Extreme care is taken during the whole construction process of all Gin gliders. Each glider
is assembled by one operator, to ensure consistency and accountability. The lines are cut
under load with a specially designed robot to achieve maximum precision, and each line length
is measured electronically at the end of the production process.
Using these design and construction techniques, Gin has reached a new standard in glider
design, manufacturing, safety and performance.
Brake line adjustment
The main brake line lengths of the Boomerang correspond to the tested results of ACPUL. You
may only lengthen them to suit your harness, body and flying style. We strongly recommend
that you test fly the glider after every 2cm of adjustment. Bear in mind that these line lengths
have been tested by some very experienced test pilots, they should be changed only a small
amount. We recommend a double sheepshank or a bowline knot for the brake handle
attachment.
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Speed system
When in use, the speed system lowers the angle of attack with a pulley-guided, foot-operated system.
The Boomerang has a very wide speed range. In spite of its optimized airfoil, Rigifoil
system, air inlets and internal stability, the highest speeds should be used with caution,
especially in turbulent air.
The highly effective speed system of the Boomerang allows for approx. 17km/h gain in
speed. As all testing of the glider is made with the original speed system. Modifying the risers
for more travel denies the glider its full safety potential and invalidates certification.
Riser A B C D
length at trimspeed 52cm 52cm 52cm 52cm
length at full speed 33cm 37cm 44.5cm 52cm
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Rucksack
All Gin gliders are delivered with a rucksack specially designed for keeping your equipment
steady on your back for ergonomic carrying comfort and ease of use. There are both internal
and external compression straps. Properly t ightened, they keep the bag from bouncing against
your lower back when walking. There are also two storage pockets for all those small things...
Unpacking
Slip the glider out of the storage bag and take the velcro compression band off. Note the
way we pack our gliders at the factory (see also packing instructions). We recommend you
unpack and inflate your glider on a small training hill, or even flat ground, when doing so for
the first time. It is important to get a feel for the glider’s behaviour during launch and take-off.
There is nothing worse than the stress of a crowded take -off and new equipment for things to
go wrong. Some test pilots spend hundreds of hours every year just ground handling gliders in
the wind on flat ground.
Preparation for launch
Lay the glider out, get the lines and risers sorted out. Connect the risers to your harness
karabiners. We recommend a thorough line check in all wind conditions, but take some extra
care on nil -wind take-offs to ensures the lines cannot become tangled during launch.
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