FLUID 2010 owner’s manual - English
Thank you for taking the time to read this manual before using the FLUID.
Thank you…
Thank you for choosing the FLU ID. We are confident that this Speedriding glider will provide you
with countless exciting and fun experiences and will enabl e you to make good progression in
your Speedriding career. This manual contains al l the information you need to fly and maintain
your glider. A thorough knowledge of your equipment will keep you safe while enabling you to
maximise your full potential.
Please pass on this manual to the new owner if you do resell your glider.
Have fun !
The GIN Team
Safety Notice
By the purchase of this equipment, you accept all risks inherent with Speedriding activities,
including injury or death. Improper use or misuse of GIN equipment greatly increases these
risks. Neither GIN gliders Inc nor the seller of GIN equipment shall be held liable for person al or
third party injuries or damages under any circumstances. The user is fully and solely
responsible for the safe use of this equi pment, if th ere is any doubt regardin g the use o r safety
of this equipment then it should not be used.
Warning: Speedriding is a potentially dangerous activity. It is the user’s own
responsibility to assess all weather and meteorological conditions, the flying area, the
snow conditions, all equipment, off-piste safety conditions, etc, before you use this
equipment. Speedriding gliders should be used only while skiing. This equipment was
not designed for any other use than that of Speedriding as described in this manual.
This equipment should be launched by feet and must never be used for any of the
following: Parachuting, BASE jumping; jumping from any aircraft, or high object;
building, antenna, bridge, cliff, etc. You should wear a helmet as well as all safety
equipments required for the practice of off-piste skiing or paragliding. It is strongly
recommended to learn Speedriding in a specialised school. When Speedriding, always
choose a safe, open area enabling you to keep a wide safety margin. Speedriding is
strictly forbid den on ski slop es. Do not p ractice Speedriding in the vicinity of ski lifts,
cliffs, rocks or any other hazards. This equipment requires constant care when it comes
to maintenance and handling.
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Summary
Thank you…....................................................................................................................................2
Safety notice..................................................................................................................................2
Summary..............................................................................................................................................3
1. Gin Gliders........................................................................................................................................4
2. Introducing Fluid..............................................................................................................................5
For pilots who ….............................................................................................................................5
Cutting-edge design.................................................... ....................................................................5
Manufacturing......................................................... .............. ..........................................................5
3. Before you fly.................................................................................................................................6
Pre-delivery inspection ..................................................................................................................6
Risers and Trims......... ................ ....................................................................................................6
Brake line adjustment.....................................................................................................................7
Rucksack.........................................................................................................................................7
Your Harness..................................................................................................................................7
Weight range..................................................................................................................................8
Essential.........................................................................................................................................8
4. Flying with Fluid...............................................................................................................................9
Preparation for launch....................................................................................................................9
Pre-flight check list........................................................................................................................ 9
Take-off................................................................................................................................. .........9
Minimum sink rate and m ax glide ratio............................................................................................9
Accelerated fligh t.........................................................................................................................10
Active flying.................................................................................................................................10
In tubulant condit ions...................................................................................................................10
Landing with Fluid........................................................................................................................10
5. Care, Maintenance a nd Rep air s........................................................................................................11
Ground handling...........................................................................................................................11
UV damage....................................................................................................................................11
Packing instructions.....................................................................................................................11
Transport and storage..................................................................................................................12
Cleaning........................................................................................................................................12
Maintenace Inspection ..................................................................................................................12
Repair...........................................................................................................................................12
6. Reference.......................................................................................................................................13
Technical data...............................................................................................................................13
Lind plan.......................................................................................................................................14
Description...................................................................................................................................15
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1. Gin Gliders
Gin Gliders was formed in 1998 by paraglider designer and competition pilot Gin Seok Song and
his team of engineers and test pilots.
Gin’s philosophy i s simple: To design gliders t hat he, and any other pilot, will love to fly. This
philosophy applies equally for a Speedriding glider such as the FLUID, as for th e world beating
competition glider, the Boomerang. No glider is released on the market without Gin’s complete
satisfaction.
Gin has over 20 years experience of designing and manufacturing free flight equipment, and is
backed up by an equally experi enced team, both within the compan y in Korea and throughout a
worldwide network of distributors and dealers.
The GIN Team has had countless other competition successes in World Cups, World and National
Championships. GIN was a pionner in Speedriding equipment and still leads the scene today.
This high level of expertise provided by dedicated professionals ensures that you get the best
possible product support and after sales service.
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2. Introducing the FLUID
The FLUID is an Expert Speedriding glider designed by Gin Seok Song. The FLUID offers big
evolution for your practice of Speedriding, unequalled behaviour in this kind of activity, with
great precision in the turn and excellent manoeuvrab ility. Th is allow s the pilot to feel confident
while developing the active and dynamic piloting skills ne eded to get the most out of the best
level of this sport. The FLUID will allow you to experience the full pleasure of Speedriding, at
the highest level.
For pilots who…
The FLUID is a high-end Speedriding glider: It is adapted to experts pilots looking for an
performent glider, able to give you the speed, the precision, the steepest angles to express t he
highest level in Speedriding. If your practicing level is not that ambitious, prefer the other
model, the Nano, which would be more adapted to your skills.
Cutting-edge design
The take-off and handling characteristics, are the best currently on the market.
The plan form, the profile and optimised line scheme, confer exceptional behaviour to this glider
as well as outstanding manoeuvrability and performance.
Manufacturing
All GIN gliders are produced in the company' s own faciliti es using the most modern techniques.
Highly skilled staff take extreme care throughout th e entire manufacturing process. Stringent
quality control is made after each step, and all materials that go into each wing can be traced.
These measures guarantee that pilots fly with the assurance that their wing meets the most
exacting safety standards.
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3. Before you fly
Pre-delivery Inspection
The FLUID is delivered with rucksack/harness, inner bag, compression strap, repair tape and this
manual. Your instructor or dealer should have made a test inflation followed by a test flight
before del ivery.
.
Risers and trims
The front risers of the FLUID are fitted with trimmers that enable the pilot to adapt the glid er’s
behaviour according to his level and the chosen slope. Trimming the front risers enables expert
pilots to enjoy a more reactive glider, with greater speed and lower flight angle, to fol low the
steepest slopes. Ask for the advice of an instructor specialised in Speedriding in order to better
understand and exploit the trimming system.
Caution : The big trim range on front risers modifies strongly the behaviour of the glider.
Instruction and training, as intense practicing are the keys of mastering the glider in these
extrem configurations.
#8, #9,5, #11: riser front
Neutral leng t h 60cm
Trim range 8 cm
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Brake line adjustment
The main brake line lengths of the FLUID are the same as o n the sample that has been used by
the GIN R&D team. These line lengths have been fine tuned by GIN test pilots, and it should not
be necessary to adjust them.
If you do need to make adjustments to suit your harness, body and flying style, we strongly
recommend that you test fly the glider with every 2cm of adjustment. There should be a
minimum of 10cm of free brake travel when the glider is flown hands-off. We recommend a
double sheepshank or a bowline knot for the brake handle attachment as shown in the diagram.
Rucksack
The FLUID is delivered with the rucksack/harness FREERID ER, especially designed for ergonomic
carrying comfort and ease of use.
Your harness
The FLUID was developed with the FREERIDE R h arness specific to Speedriding. Before using your
glider with any other type of harness, please contact the harnesses’ manufacturer or dealer
should you have any question reg arding it’s use .
Adjusting the chest belt controls the distance between the carabiners of the two risers, which
also has an influence on the glider’s behaviour.
There is no need to use the FLUID with a tight chest belt adjustment, as there is no tendency to
feel unstable.
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Weight range
The FLUID should be used in the weight/level range for which it was designed. Th e weight range
is defined according to the pilot’s weight, including clothes.
FLUID #8 #9,5 #11
Weight/ piloting
level
Very expert Expert light
Very expert
Heavy
Heavy expert
Advanced light
Essential
In order to fly with this equipment, you should:
*Have received theoretical and practice tuition for Speedriding.
*You should have sufficient practice, the knowledge and the experi ence necessary to correctly
use this glider.
*Have subscribed to the licences and insurances necessary for the practice of this sport.
*Be in normal p hysical and me ntal health, not be under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
*Fly only in meteorological conditions fit for the practice of Speedriding (and adapted to your
level and experience).
*Wear a helmet and all safety equipment necessary to the practice of off-piste skiing and
Speedriding.
*Have thoroughly checked all your equipment.
*Be aware of all the information contained in this manual.
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4. Flying with the FLUID
We recommend that you first practice inflating your glider on a small training slope with skis.
Make your first flights with your new Speedriding glider in gentle conditions in a familiar area.
Then keep on discovering step by step all the potential of your glider.
Preparation for launch
Following a consistent method of preparation and pre-flight ch ecks is vital for safe flying. We
recommend the following:
On arrival at the flying site, assess the suitability of the conditions: wind speed and
direction, airspace, snow conditions.
Inspect your glider, harness, helmet and any other equipment.
Choose a sufficiently large take-off area with even ground and no obstacles.
Lay the glider out according to the planform, and get the lines and risers sorted out.
Put your helme t on. Secure your self in your harness and don't forget the le g loops!
Connect the risers to your harness carabiners, ensuring there are no twists or loops
around the lines.
Do a final line check by pulling gently on the risers or lines to ensure there are no new
knots, tangles or interfering branches or rocks. Take extra care in nil or light winds.
Pre-flight check list
Helmet and harness buckles closed.
Lines free.
Canopy open and into wind.
Airspace clear.
Take off
The key to a successful launch technique is to practice ground handling whenever you can.
Keeping your brake handles in your hands, the FLUID inflates very easily, with or without risers
in hand. Keep your arms slightly bent and hands at shoulder height. If you are using the fro nt
risers, your arms should rise in a curve. It is not necessary to pull hard on the risers.
Make visual check on your glider before taking off to see if it is correctly inflated and that there
are no knots or tangles. If something is wrong, stop the take off. A slight pressure on the brakes
and the gliding of your skis always makes the take off easier.
Minimum sink rate and max glide ratio.
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The minimum sink rate can be found by pulling the brakes about 20 cm.
Accelerated flight
Once you have become accustomed to flying the FLUID, you can practice using the trimmers on
the front risers, which enables you to increase the speed of your glider, and to decrease
strongly your flight angle. Caution: when flying accelerated, your wing will react in a more
radical manner in turns and the glide angl e will be a lot steeper. The active flying is important
in these moments.
Active Flying
The FLUID h as a high internal pressure, high resistance to collapses and a high level of passive
security. However, it is recommended with this type of glider to adopt an active handling style
that will help you to fly safely. The key to active handling is to keep your glider above your
head. If the glider has a tendency to lag behind, raise your hands. If the glider has a tendency
to shoot forward, then control it with the brakes. In all cases, always remember to keep
sufficient air-speed and avoid over-piloting. Apply the same active piloting on the groud while
skiing with your canopie above, anticipating unloads.
In turbulent conditions
The FLUID is a very stable glider and collapses on one or both of the front risers are almost
impossible. Extreme turbulence could generate a collapse but the FLUID will resume normal
flight in almost all configurations, so in case of doubt, keep your hands at shoulder height and
let the glider fly.
However, if the glider shoots forward violently, control it with the brakes immediat ely. To help
your glider resume flight more rapidly, it is recommended to have an active handling, without
being out of time with the wing’s m ovements.
Caution :
The FLUID is not designed to perform manoeuvres outside the normal flight configuration. Our
test pilots have tested the various reactions in extreme situations; however we strongly
recommend that you do not perform stalls, manoeuvres and spins. It is also strongly
recommended not to fly aerobatics with the FLUID.
Landing with the FLUID
Choose a landing area free of obstacles. It is recommended to flair correctly, it will enable you
to obtain a nil vertical speed and to slide on your skis. Do not make your last turn at low height,
or make a radical turn close to the ground.
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5. Care, Maintenance and Repairs
The materials used in the FLUID have been carefully selected for maximum durability.
Nevertheless, following the guidelines below will help keep your glider airworthy and will
ensure a long period of continuous safe operation. Excessive wear is caused by careless ground
handling and packing, unnecessary exposure to UV light, chemicals, heat and moisture.
Ground handling
The following should be avoided:
Violent shocks to the upper surface (e.g. when the canopy crashes to the ground leading
edge first whilst ground handling).
Dragging the glider along the ground.
Stepping or skiing on the lines or canopy. Dyneema, the core material of the lines, is very
strong, can take high loads without stretching, but is sensitive to heat.
Opening your wing in strong winds without first untangling the lines.
UV damage
Avoid leaving the glider out in the sun unnecessarily. UV rays from the sun degrade glider cloth.
Packing instructions
We advise you to pack the glider “accordion wise” as shown in the drawing. This packing
procedure takes slightly longer and is easier to do with an assistant, but it conserves the
rigidity in the profile reinforcements.
Since folding the glider weakens the materials, pack the glider as loosely as possible.
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Transport and Storage
Moisture is the worst enemy of your glider, adversel y affecting the ageing of fabri c, lines and
reinforcements. The FLUID should therefore b e kept dry and cool. Do not pack the glider away
for a prolonged period if it is damp, sandy, salty, or if other objects have entered the cells.
Always allow it to dry naturally before storage in a dry room. Leave the rucksack zip open
whenever possible to allow residual moisture to evap orate, and do not transport or store the
glider in the proximity of chemicals such as gasoline, paints or other solvents.
Cleaning
Use only lukewarm water and a soft cloth to clean your wing. Never use any abrasive materials
or detergents. Only clean the wing if it is absolutely necessary e.g. after a landing in salt water.
Maintenance Inspections
GIN Gliders recommend that th e FLUID is inspected by an authorized Gin agent after every 100
hours flying time or every year, whichever is sooner.
The maintenance instructions, which can be downloaded from our homepage
www.gingliders.com, have to be observed.
A full inspection will give you peace of mind and extend your glider's lifetime. Additional
inspections should be performed by a qualified person following a crash or violent landing on
the leading edge, or if you note a deterioration of perfor m ance or behaviour .
You should also check for any damage to your lines, sail, risers and connectors before each
flight.
Repairs
Very small holes in the sail can be repaired with th e sticky-backed ripstop tape provided with
your glider. Damaged lines should be replaced by your GIN dealer. Before fitting a replacement
line, check it for length against its counterpart on the other side of the wing. When a line has
been replaced, always inflate the glider on flat ground to check that everything is in order
before flying.
Major repairs, such as replacing panels, should only be carried out by the distributor or
manufacturer.
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6. Reference
Technical data
SIZE 8 9.5 11
AREA 8.0m² 9.5m² 11.0m²
FLAT
SPAN 5.49m 5.98m 6.44m
A.R 3.8 3.8 3.8
ROOT 1.70m 1.86m 2.00m
CHORD
TIP 0.76m 0.83m 0.89m
TOTAL HEIGHT 3.35m 3.65m 3.93m
CELL NUMBER 21 21 21
GLIDER WEIGHT 2.2kg 2.3kg 2.4kg
PILOT WEIGHT(kg) /
LEVEL
very expert for
slalom
expert for
freeride
very advanced /
heavy expert
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Line Plan
STB MAIN A
STB C
STB B
STB A
5B
6B
6C
5C
4C
3C
2C
1C
1A
3A
2A
4A
6A
5A
4B
3B
2B
1B
MAIN A3
MAIN A2
MAIN A1
STB MAIN D
STB D
MAIN C3
MAIN C2
MAIN C1
Line material
Upper line
Main line
Brake Main
Cousin 16350
Cousin 16650
GIN Dyneema 2.3
1D
BK1
MAIN D1
MAIN D2
MAIN D3
6D
4D
5D
2D
3D
BK2
BK MID1
BK MAIN
BK3
BK MID2
BK4
BK5
BK6
BK MID3
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Description
1. FABRIC OF CANOPY
NAME DOMINICO TEX
SUPPLIER
ADDRESS 641-11 Dungchondong Kangseogu Seoul Korea
TYPE OF FINISH SIDE COATED
TYPE OF YARN NYLON 6.6 HIGH TENACITY – 30 Denier
FABRIC CODE 3RS
PATTERN Rip Stop
Coated fabric’s weight (g/sqm) 43+2
WARP (DaN) 3.6 Max
Tear
Strength
WEFT (DaN) 4.1 Max
Elongation on bias 3 Ibs (%) 11.5 Max
Elongation on bias 5 Ibs (%) 17.5 Max
Elongation on bias 10 Ibs (%) 25.5 Max
Break
Strength
WARP (DaN/5cm) 42 Max
WEFT (DaN/5cm) 43 Max
AIR Permeability p=2000Pa
(l/SQMXMN)
15
40 Max
2. SUSPENSION LINE
MATERIAL Dyneema
SUPPLIER
NAME COUSIN TRESTEC
ADDRESS
8, rue Abbe B onpain – BP70020 Wervicq Sud - 5 9558
COMINES CEDEX - FRANCE
NAME
DIAMETER(mm) 1.12 1.65
BREAKING STRENGTH 172kg 320kg
3. REINFORCEMENT
FABRIC CODE W420 SCRIM
SUPPLIER
NAME
ADDRESS
Top Line 16350 Utimate
(top line)
PORCHER NCV Industries
L’Isle d’Abeau, Parc de Chesnes, 75, rue du Ruisseau
38070 SAINT QUENTIN FALLAVIER Cedex / France
Top Line 16650 Utimate
(lower line)
MATERIAL POLYERTER SCRIM
WEIGHT(GR/M²) 180
BREAKING
STRENGTH
(KG/5Cm)
TEAR STRENGTH
(KG/5Cm)
WEAVE DESIGN RIPSTOP
16
WARP 137
WEFT 118
WARP 4.2
WEFT 4.1
4. RISER
MATERIAL POLYERSTER TAPE
NAME Güth & Wolf GmbH
SUPPLIER
ADDRESS
WEIGHT(GR/M) 34
BREAKING STRENGTH 1,100DAN
WIDTH(mm) 20mm
Herzebrockerstr. 1-3 D-33330 Gütersloh
GERMANY
5. MAILLONS
SUPPLIER
BREAKING STRENGTH 1,000kg
MATERIAL STAINLESS STEEL
NAME ANSUNG PRECISION CO.
ADDRESS
WEIGHT(GR) 12
DIAMETER(mm) 4.3
212-32 ANYANG 7 DONG, MANANGU,
ANYANG CITY, KYUNG KI-DO, KOREA
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6. BRIDLE(ATTACHMENT LINES)
MATERIAL NYLON
NAME SUKWANG FABRICS
SUPPLIER
ADDRESS
WEIGHT(GR/M) 7.2
BREAKING STRENGTH (kg) 110
WIDTH(mm) 13
52-2 Yujungri, Dochukmyun, Kwangjusi,
Kyungkido, Korea
7. THREAD
MATERIAL
SUPPLIER
HIGH TENACITY POLYESTER YARN
NAME AMANN & SOHNE GMBH & CO.
ADDRESS
DENIER 150D/2 250D/3
BREAKING STRENGTH 2.9kg 3.2kg
INDUSTRIESTRASE 1, D-74391 ERLIGHEIM,
GERMANY
WEIGHT(GR/M) 0.05G 0.083G
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“Designing gliders is a personal jou rney of challenge and discovery, an ongoing
search for perfection."
- Gin Seok Song
Every effort has been made to provide you with important and useful information in this flight
manual. However, please remember that this is not a book made to teach you how to fly, and
that courses in a certified professional school are necessary for the safe practice of Speedriding.
This flight manual may be amended at any time without any prior notice. Please visit our
website www.gingliders.com for all the latest information regarding the FLUID and all GIN
gliders’ products.
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