Independence Garuda Owner's Manual
Owner´s manual
Garuda paraglider
Version 1.0 from 20.01.2009
Fly market GmbH & Co. KG
Am Schönebach 3
D-87637 Eisenberg
Tel.: +49 (0) 8364 9833-0
Fax: +49 (0) 8364 9833-33
Email: info@independence-world.com
gliders for real pilots
independence
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2
1. Dear Independence Pilot
It is our pleasure to welcome you to the world of Independence pilots. The new Garuda paraglider was developed
to suit pilots that enjoy superior performance, high speed and agility, but still want a high level of security. The
Garuda distinguishes itself through its unique handling and performance. Like every paraglider the Garuda has
it´s own characteristics. To ensure your best possible flying experience we provide this manual.
2. Important Notice:
It is your duty to read this manual!
It is not allowed to fly the paraglider without reading this manual first, to avoid operating errors. We point out
explicitly, that for any results caused by an improper usage no liability will be assumed.
At the time of it´s delivery this paraglider is corresponding to the definitions of the German type approval LTF /
European Norm EN 926-2 category “ B”.
New gliders have to be flown-in by the seller. This first flight has to be confirmed by date and signature on the
enclosed measurement-protocol and on the type label of the glider.
Every arbitrary change at the paraglider will implicate the end of the operating licence of the glider!
The pilot alone has the full responsibility that the glider is airworthy! Furthermore the pilot has the full
responsibility that all provisions of the law are observed (e.g. pilot´s licence, insurance, etc.).
It is assumed that the pilot´s skills are matching to the requirements of the glider.
To use this paraglider is complete on your own risk. The manufacturer or the distributor are not liable for any
compensation resulting from using this glider.
The following owner´s manual has been written in all conscience. But it´s possible that some things will change
in the course of time because of (flight)-technical innovations or modified type-approval tests and/or modified
teaching methods. Out of this reason it´s advisable to get “updates” about maybe modified teaching methods
or tests directly by us or the according points from time to time.
WARNING:
Paragliding is an extremely dangerous activity that can and often does result in serious injury or death. The
designer, manufacturer, distributor, wholesaler and retailer cannot and will not guarantee your safety when
using this paraglider. You alone must judge the flying conditions, including weather, wind, congestion,
launching areas, and landing area before you fly. Paragliders require careful and consistent care. Overtime,
solar radiation, dirt, dust, grease, water, wind, stress, and other variables will degrade the performance and
safety of the gilder, thereby increasing the risk of injury or death. Read the owner's manual of the paraglider
before you fly. Always wear a helmet and protective clothing when flying a paraglider.
3. Target group:
The Garuda is certified according to LTF (German type approval) and EN 926-2 as catergory B glider. It is
only certified as single-seated paraglider.
It is a high-performance wing in the LTF / EN B category for the regularly flying pilot. The Garuda offers for
this glider-class a maximum of performance combined with a high safety-potential. If the Garuda is finally
suitable for your own paragliding skills, should be checked with your dealer in any way.
We recommend that every pilot should play with the paraglider on the ground (ground handling) as much as
possible. Attending an over water safety course (SIV) is also advisable. Perfect control of the paraglider on
the ground and in the air is the key to flying fun and the best way to ensure accident free flying.
gliders for real pilots
independence
www.independence-world.com
Stabilizer lines
Upper sail
Main lines
Riser with
line-shackles
Brake handle
Stabilizer
Main carabiner
Type label at the
middle profile
Main brake line
Trailing edge
Bottom sail
Brakeline
Leading edge
Overview:
3
1. Dear Independence Pilot
It is our pleasure to welcome you to the world of Independence pilots. The new Garuda paraglider was developed
to suit pilots that enjoy superior performance, high speed and agility, but still want a high level of security. The
Garuda distinguishes itself through its unique handling and performance. Like every paraglider the Garuda has
it´s own characteristics. To ensure your best possible flying experience we provide this manual.
2. Important Notice:
It is your duty to read this manual!
It is not allowed to fly the paraglider without reading this manual first, to avoid operating errors. We point out
explicitly, that for any results caused by an improper usage no liability will be assumed.
At the time of it´s delivery this paraglider is corresponding to the definitions of the German type approval LTF /
European Norm EN 926-2 category “ B”.
New gliders have to be flown-in by the seller. This first flight has to be confirmed by date and signature on the
enclosed measurement-protocol and on the type label of the glider.
Every arbitrary change at the paraglider will implicate the end of the operating licence of the glider!
The pilot alone has the full responsibility that the glider is airworthy! Furthermore the pilot has the full
responsibility that all provisions of the law are observed (e.g. pilot´s licence, insurance, etc.).
It is assumed that the pilot´s skills are matching to the requirements of the glider.
To use this paraglider is complete on your own risk. The manufacturer or the distributor are not liable for any
compensation resulting from using this glider.
The following owner´s manual has been written in all conscience. But it´s possible that some things will change
in the course of time because of (flight)-technical innovations or modified type-approval tests and/or modified
teaching methods. Out of this reason it´s advisable to get “updates” about maybe modified teaching methods
or tests directly by us or the according points from time to time.
WARNING:
Paragliding is an extremely dangerous activity that can and often does result in serious injury or death. The
designer, manufacturer, distributor, wholesaler and retailer cannot and will not guarantee your safety when
using this paraglider. You alone must judge the flying conditions, including weather, wind, congestion,
launching areas, and landing area before you fly. Paragliders require careful and consistent care. Overtime,
solar radiation, dirt, dust, grease, water, wind, stress, and other variables will degrade the performance and
safety of the gilder, thereby increasing the risk of injury or death. Read the owner's manual of the paraglider
before you fly. Always wear a helmet and protective clothing when flying a paraglider.
3. Target group:
The Garuda is certified according to LTF (German type approval) and EN 926-2 as catergory B glider. It is
only certified as single-seated paraglider.
It is a high-performance wing in the LTF / EN B category for the regularly flying pilot. The Garuda offers for
this glider-class a maximum of performance combined with a high safety-potential. If the Garuda is finally
suitable for your own paragliding skills, should be checked with your dealer in any way.
We recommend that every pilot should play with the paraglider on the ground (ground handling) as much as
possible. Attending an over water safety course (SIV) is also advisable. Perfect control of the paraglider on
the ground and in the air is the key to flying fun and the best way to ensure accident free flying.
gliders for real pilots
independence
www.independence-world.com
speed-system
pulley
speed-system
coloured
marking
4
4. Technical Description:
Construction of the canopy:
The canopy of the Garuda is made of Porcher Marine Skytex Ripstop Nylon-fabric Art. 9017 E77a and Skysport
D70. In this synthetic fabric a reinforced thread-net is woven in, which stops the fabric from further tearing and
is increasing the firmness at the seams. The coating makes the fabric water-repellent, UV-stabile and airimpermeable.
The Garuda consists of 52 cells. The wingtip (stabilisator) is pulled downwards and is intergrated in the
canopy.
The aeration of the canopy is done through the openings on the bottom side of the profile-nose. The lateral
aeration is done through exactly dimensioned openings (cross ports) in the profile-gill.
Every carrying profile-gill is suspended from 4 Line-attachement-points, which are reinforced in the profile
itself.
Between the single groups of main lines are taut ribbons sewn in, which are regulating the tension of the sail.
At the profile´s nose reinforcements are sewn in, which gives the canopy more stability.
On the entry- and trailing-edge of the canopy a special ribon with low elongation is sewn in, which offers a
cunning, by our design-software calculated, tension-distribution along the canopy.
Suspension-system/Line-system:
The lines of the Garuda consist of polyester-covered HMA Aramid and polyester-covered and uncovered PES /
Dyneema, depending on where the line is placed. The strengths of each line depend also on the place where the
line is built-in, and are varying between 100
The lines are differing depending where they are built-in like follows: Top-lines (up at the canopy), middlesection-lines (between main- and top-lines), main-lines (down at the riser), stabilisator-lines (at the wingtip)
and brake-lines (up at the trailing-edge) and main-brake-lines (at the brake-handle).
The lines are differentiated in A / B / C / D level and the brake.
Within the levels always 2 top-lines are combined to one middle-section-line. On the main-line level always 2
middle-section-lines are combined to overall 6 main-lines per level, which are mounted to the maillon rapides
shackles at the corresponding riser.
The stabilisator-lines are mounted to the B-riser together with the B-level.
The brake- or steering-lines are combined to the main-brake-line in the same way..
The lines of each level are coloured differently to make it easier to differentiate and check it.
The complete riser of the Garuda consists of 5 risers.
The A-riser is splitted in a main(A)-riser and a sub(A´)-riser (also called outer- or baby A´riser). On the A-riser
2 main-lines are attached, on the A´one main-line is attached.
On the B-riser per side 3 B-main-lines plus one stabilisator-line are attched.
The C-riser and D-riser take in always 3 main-lines.
The main-brake-line is running through a pulley at the D-riser to the brake-handle.
The maillon rapide shackles at the risers are made of stainless steel and are secured with an plastic-inlay
against unintentional opening and against a slipping of the lines.
The complete geometry of the lines is shown on the single line plan, which you find a few pages behind..
Speed-system:
The Garuda has got a speed-system at the riser which is activated with the legs of the pilot. If the speed-system
is released it goes back to the original position automatically. The riser has no trimmer which can be fixed
The speed-system shortens the A and B risers and reduces the angel of attack of the canopy.
In normal flight all risers have the same length (54,5cm with the shackles). If the speed-system is activated the
A-risers gets up to 14,5cm, the B-risers up to 13,5cm, the C-risers up to 6,5 shorter. The length of the D-riser
does not change.
and 240 daN.
Functionality and handling:
Before take-off the Brummel-hooks of the harness´speed-bar are connected to the Brummel-hooks of the
speed-system at the risers. You have to take care that the line of the speed-bar is running free.
Before the first use of the speed-system you have to adjust the length of the speed-bar´s lines correctly. The
best way to do this is in a simulator. The legth is set correctly if the lines still have some free space and are not yet
under traction if the speed-bar is not pushed.
By pushing the speed-bar with his legs the pilot shortens the A, B and C risers with the pulleys at the riser. This
pulleys are reducing the necessary forces.
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Overview risers:
position normal flight
5. Technical Data:
Size XL L M S
Scale factor % 108 104 100 96
Surface area flat m² 30,87 28,63 26,47 24,39
Wingspan flat m 12,81 12,34 11,86 11,39
Aspect ratio A/R 5,32 5,32 5,32 5,32
Surface area projected m² 26,40 24,48 22,63 20,86
Wingspan projected m 10,19 9,81 9,43 9,05
Aspect ratio projected A/R 3,93 3,93 3,93 3,93
Nuber of cells Nr 52 52 52 52
Take-off weight min. Kg 115 95 80 60
Take-off weight max. Kg 145 120 105 85
V-Trimm Km/h 38 38 38 38
V-Max. Km/h >50 >50 >50 >50
LTF / EN category B B B B
Changes of these data are possible!
attachment-point
harness
Brummelhooks
speed-system
pulley
speed-system
coloured
marking
brake-handle
pulley
brake-line
magnetic-clip
brake-handle
BA A’
C D
5
Functionality and handling:
Before take-off the Brummel-hooks of the harness´speed-bar are connected to the Brummel-hooks of the
speed-system at the risers. You have to take care that the line of the speed-bar is running free.
Before the first use of the speed-system you have to adjust the length of the speed-bar´s lines correctly. The
best way to do this is in a simulator. The legth is set correctly if the lines still have some free space and are not yet
under traction if the speed-bar is not pushed.
By pushing the speed-bar with his legs the pilot shortens the A, B and C risers with the pulleys at the riser. This
pulleys are reducing the necessary forces.
gliders for real pilots
independence
www.independence-world.com
Overview risers:
position normal flight
5. Technical Data:
Size XL L M S
Scale factor % 108 104 100 96
Surface area flat m² 30,87 28,63 26,47 24,39
Wingspan flat m 12,81 12,34 11,86 11,39
Aspect ratio A/R 5,32 5,32 5,32 5,32
Surface area projected m² 26,40 24,48 22,63 20,86
Wingspan projected m 10,19 9,81 9,43 9,05
Aspect ratio projected A/R 3,93 3,93 3,93 3,93
Nuber of cells Nr 52 52 52 52
Take-off weight min. Kg 115 95 80 60
Take-off weight max. Kg 145 120 105 85
V-Trimm Km/h 38 38 38 38
V-Max. Km/h >50 >50 >50 >50
LTF / EN category B B B B
Changes of these data are possible!
position accelerated flight
schematic description harness
- the speed-bar´s line at the harness -
speed-bar
pulley at the
harness
B
A
A’
C
D
angel of attack change
accelerated
harness
B
A
A’
C
D
6. Harness
The Garuda has been developed and authorised with harnesses according to the LTF type “GH”. Nearly all
harnesses recently produced are type GH harnesses and suitable for the Garuda. They differ from the GX
harness due to their low suspension and not very effective (if at all included) cross straps. Cross straps have
not proven themselves in combination with modern paragliders.
7. How to check your paraglider:
Every paraglider delivered is tested and measured by us. Nevertheless we advise you to check your paraglider
for the following criteria. You should also follow these instruction after a long intensive flight, hard manoeuvers
or an accident on landing, eg: tree landing.
Check:
the seams where the lines attach, at the the risers and at the canopy for any damage.
that all the lines have been sewn correctly and are free of damage
that all the line locks have been screwed up properly and the plastic inlets are tight
that all width of cloth, the ribs and V-attachments are free of rips
Every fault no matter how small must be checked and repaired by a professional. A damaged
paraglider is not air-worthy.
8. Adjusting the brake-/steering-line
The two main steering/brake lines lead up to a line cascade which is fixed to the trailing edge. On the risers
the steering lines run through a pulley and are connected to a handle. These handles are fixed to the risers
with a magnetic clip when not in use. The length of the steering lines is set correctly at the factory and
should not be changed. The brake-lines have to have at least 5cm of free play (before the brake gets
effective). The improper adjustment of the steering lines can cause severe changes to inflight behaviour.
9. In-flight:
The following pages are not intended to describe how to fly a paraglider. Rather we want to show you the
Garuda’s specialities and give you important information regarding in-flight behaviour.
9.1. Take-off preparation:
Before every take-off you have to do an accurate pre-flight check. You have to check the risers, lines and the
canopy is not damaged in any way. Also you have to make sure that the line locks (maillon rapide shackles) are
closed firmly and are fixed against turning by it´s plastic inlays.
The harness has to be put on with a maximum of attention. After you have put your harness on you have to
check again if all buckles are closed correctly. Also you have to make sure that the rescue-container is closed
correctly and the release-handle of the rescue-system is placed correctly. (see in the manual of the harness!!)
If there is any defect, you are definitely not allowed to take-off!
The easiest way to take off with the Garuda is to lay it out in an arc. You have to lay it out against the wind.
The line-levels as well as the brake-lines have to be sorted accurately, also the risers have to be sorted. All lines
have to run free without any twistings or knots. No lines are allowed to lay under the canopy.
6
When all preparations are done the main carabiners of the harness are connected to the risers. You have to take
care that the carabiners are closed correctly. If you are using a speed-bar, also the brummel-hooks of the speed-
bar´s line are connected to the brummel-hooks of the speed-system on the risers. You have to take care that the
speed-system is free running.
Checklist:
Paraglider:
- Canopy free of damages?
- Risers free of damages?
- line locks closed tightly and fixed against twisting by it´s plastic inlays?
- Lines free of damages?
-All lines including brake-lines free running and without any twists?
Harness:
- Rescue-container closed?
- Release-handle of the rescue-system attached correctly?
- All buckles closed correctly
- Main carabiners closed correctly ?
Take-off:
- Risers mounted correctly? Without twists!
- Speed-system mounted correctly? Without twists!
- Brake-handle and the correct level of riser taken in hand?
- Pilot in the middle of the canopy, that all lines are streched symmetrically?
- Winddirection o.k.?
- Obstacles on the ground?
- Airspace free?
9.2. Take-off:
The take-off with the Garuda is quite easy. Generally we recommend to take both A-risers ( A and A´) for
starting the Garuda. Depending on the starting-technique, the wind-situation and the terrain you can
alternatively use only the inner A-risers (A) for lifting up the glider.
For a better orientation the different risers are marked with different colours.
The pilot, who is ready for take-off, holds the A-risers and the brake-handles of each side in his hands. The A-
lines are already streched a little bit. On flat take-off areas or at low-wind conditions you can also go one step
backwards to the canopy, to lift up the glider with more impulse. During the take-off run the arms of the pilot are
first streched sideways backwards in elongation of the A-risers. When the glider then lifts up, the arms are
moving upwards. The most important thing during the take-off is, like at all other gliders too, not the force but
the constancy of the pull. Because the Garuda is very easy to lift up, you have to brake it a little bit on steep take-
off areas or in strong wind conditions, to avoid that the glider is overtaking you.
If you are starting the glider backwards (face the glider while lifting it up) in strong wind conditions, you can
avoid a too early take-off if you simply go along with the glider. The best way to train for taking off in strong
wind conditions is by regular ground handling practice.
9.3. Level flight:
With loose steering lines, depending on the wing loading, the Garuda reaches a flying speed of 37 to 39 km/h. In
calm conditions the Garuda flies at minimum speed if the pull on the brake-lines is approx. 55 - 60 cm. In
turbulent air we advise flying with the brakes pulled down 5 - 15 cm. The angle of attack is higher and this makes
the wing more stable. All mentioned cm-values are refering to the point at which the trailing edge is pulled down,
that means without the free run of the brake-line.
gliders for real pilots
independence
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