Ozone Geo 3 User Manual
YOUR WING IS HERE
Version 1.1 Jan 2013
CONTENTS
Pilots Manual (Eng) 2 > 15
Manuel de VOL (Fr) 16 > 31
Betriebs HANDBUCH (D) 32 > 49
Line Diagram 50
Riser Diagram/Lengths 51
Link Lite Connections 51
Technical Specifications 52
3
ENGLISH
T
hank you for choosing to fly Ozone.
As a team of free flying enthusiasts, competitors and adventurers, Ozone’s mission is to build agile paragliders of the highest quality with cutting edge designs and performance and maximum security.
Confidence and belief in your paraglider is a far greater asset than any small gains in performance - ask any of the Ozone pilots on your local hills, or
those who have taken our gliders on ground-breaking adventures and stood on podiums around the world. All our research and development is concentrated on creating the best handling/performance characteristics possible with optimum security. Our development team is based in the south of
France. This area, which includes the sites of Gourdon, Monaco and Lachens, guarantees us more than 300 flyable days per year. This is a great asset
in the development of the Ozone range.
As pilots we fully understand just how big an investment a new paraglider is. We know that quality and value for money are essential considerations
when choosing your new paraglider; so to keep costs low and quality high we now build all our wings in our own production plant. During production our
wings undergo numerous and rigorous quality control checks. This way we can guarantee that all our paragliders meet the same high standards that
we expect ourselves.
This manual will help you get the most out of your Geo 3 . It details information about the Geo 3 ’s design, tips and advice on how best to use it and
how to care for it to ensure it has a long life and retains a high resale value. If you need any further information about Ozone, the Geo 3 , or any of our
products please check www.flyozone.com or contact your local dealer, school or any of us here at Ozone.
It is essential that you read this manual before flying your Geo 3 for the first time.
Please ensure that this manual is passed on to the new owner if you ever resell this paraglider.
Safe Flying!
Team Ozone
WARNING TEAM OZONE
4
Paragliding is a potentially dangerous sport that can cause serious injury including bodily harm, paralysis and death. Flying an Ozone
paraglider is undertaken with the full knowledge that paragliding
involves such risks.
As the owner of an Ozone paraglider you take exclusive responsibility
for all risks associated with its use. Inappropriate use and or abuse
of your equipment will increase these risks.
Any liability claims resulting from use of this product towards the
manufacturer, distributor or dealers is excluded.
Be prepared to practice as much as you can - especially ground handling, as this is a critical aspect of paragliding. Poor control while on
the ground is one of the most common causes of accidents.
Be ready to continue your learning by attending advanced courses to
follow the evolution of our sport, as techniques and materials keep
improving.
Use only certified paragliders, harnesses with protector and reserve
parachutes that are free from modification, and use them only within
their certified weight ranges. Please remember that flying a glider
outside its certified configuration may jeopardise any insurance (e.g.
liability, life etc) you have. It is your responsibility as the pilot to verify
your insurance cover.
Make sure you complete a thorough daily and pre-flight inspection of
all of your equipment. Never attempt flying with unsuitable or damaged equipment.
Always wear a helmet, gloves and boots.
All pilots should have the appropriate level of license for their respective country and third party insurance.
Make sure that you are physically and mentally healthy before flying.
Choose the correct wing, harness and conditions for your level of
experience.
Pay special attention to the terrain you will be flying and the weather
conditions before you launch. If you are unsure do not fly, and always
add a large safety margin to all your decisions.
Avoid flying your glider in rain, snow, strong wind, and turbulent
weather conditions or clouds.
If you use good, safe judgment you will enjoy many years of paragliding.
Remember, PLEASURE is the reason for our sport
Everyone at Ozone continues to be driven by our
passion for flying, our love of adventure and our
quest to see Ozone’s paraglider development create
better, safer and more versatile paragliders.
Paragliding design is led by the ever thoughtful David Dagault; Dav
has a wealth of experience both in competition, adventure flying and
paraglider design. Also on the design team are test pilots Russell
Ogden and Luc Armant. Russ is a top competition pilot and ex
paragliding instructor, he can usually be found putting Dav’s latest
creation through a series of test maneuvers. Luc, a dedicated XC
addict has a background in naval architecture. He brings a wealth of
knowledge and ideas to the design team and works closely with Dav in
the design process.
Back in the office Mike ‘Da Boss’ Cavanagh generally keeps control
of the mayhem. Promotion and Team pilots are organised by Matt
Gerdes. Karine Marconi and Jill Devine make sure we don’t spend too
much money and look after the ordering system.
Our manufacturing facility in Vietnam is headed up by Dr Dave
Pilkington, who works relentlessly manufacturing gliders and producing prototypes as well as researching materials and manufacturing
processes for our future products. He is backed up by Ngan and 400
production staff.
YOUR GEO 3
5
ENGLISH
Ozone’s research into light-wing construction began in 2001 with the
introduction of the Peak, continued during the first ever X-Alps race in
2003, then the Geo in 2005 and more recently the Ultralite and Swift.
The Geo 3 is the latest evolution of the well respected Geo range.
With passive safety and comfort suitable for newer pilots and handling
and glide performance for the more experienced, the Geo 3 is a highly
capable wing. It achieves the perfect balance for a wide range of pilots.
Talented beginners will find a wing with which they can progress for
several years and higher airtime pilots will be able to exploit the wing
to the full, especially in turbulent, thermic air for long ascents and epic
XC flights.
The Geo 3 has a highly compact and coordinated feel, making it a playful
and agile wing without being overly dynamic. Feedback to the pilot is
moderated through progressive brake pressure, and feedback from
the harness providing information that you will use to climb easily in
thermals. The pitch stability of the new profile means that the Geo 3
enters cores without being pushed backwards and the handling allows
you to place the wing exactly how you want within the thermal without
sliding or straightening out.
A carefully refined profile and perfectly balanced sail tension are the
key ingredients for performance in active air. The Geo 3 is extremely
solid with excellent stability in turbulence and accelerated flight. The
new line plan has reduced the overall line drag by 12% over its predecessor the Geo 2. Our latest research in lightweight wings has helped
us to reduce the weight even further. The Geo 3 is 1kg lighter than
the Geo 2, this reduction in weight has many benefits; better inflation characteristics; better flying behaviour, and better handling and
safety. It is also lighter to carry! In every aspect, lighter is better.
The Geo 3 is an ideal choice for pilots who require a lightweight wing
and fly approximately 30-50 hours per year and for more experienced
pilots who fly more often yet want a wing with the passive safety, comfort and fun handling of the A/B class
.
Bag
The bag has been especially designed for the Geo 3. It is light in
weight, comfortable and useful (padded hip belt, ergonomic and adjustable shoulder straps). It has a large volume that will allow you to
store all your kit, whilst still being comfortable for hiking. We’ve also
added some pockets on the side and on the top, handy for all those
easily lost accessories.
Brake Lines
The brake line lengths have been set carefully during testing. We
feel it is better to have slightly longer brake lines and to fly with a
wrap (one turn of line around the hand). However, if you do choose to
adjust them, please bear in mind the following:
Ensure both main brake lines are of equal length.•
If a brake handle has been removed, check that its line is still •
routed through the pulley when it is replaced.
When the brake handles are released in flight, the brake lines •
should be slack. There must be a substantial “bow” in them to
guarantee no deformation of the trailing edge.
There must be a minimum of 10cm of free play before the brakes •
begin to deform the trailing edge. This prevents the trailing edge
from being deformed when using the speed system.
IMPORTANT: In the unlikely event of a brake line snapping
in ight, or a handle becoming detached, the glider can be
own by gently pulling the rear risers (C-risers) for directional control.
Risers
There are 2 different riser options available for the Geo 3; standard
and lightweight. Standard risers are made from 12mm black webbing
and have Maillon Rapides metal maillons to connect to the lines.
Lightweight risers are made from 7mm Dyneema (white) and have
specially designed ‘Link Lite’ connectors to hold the riser lines. These
are tested to over 500kg and save weight compared to standard
maillons. (See page 51 for instructions).
BASIC FLIGHT TECHNIQUES
6
On both types of risers the A riser is coloured differently to be easily
identified.
Accelerator System
To set up an accelerator on the ground, ask a friend to pull your
risers into their in-flight position while you sit in your harness. Now
adjust the length of the line so that the main bar sits just beneath
your seat. You should now be able to hook your heel in to the secondary (lower) loop of the accelerator.
The accelerator must be slack enough to ensure that the front risers
are not pulled down in normal flight, but not so long that it is impossible to use the full speed range of the glider.
Extending the secondary (lower) loop of the accelerator fully will take
the glider through approximately half its accelerated speed range.
Should you need even more speed you should hook your feet on to the
upper bar, which you can then extend until the pulleys on the risers
touch.
Once set up, test the full range of the accelerator in calm flying conditions: ensure that both risers are pulled evenly during operation.
Fine-tuning can be completed when you are back on the ground.
IMPORTANT: Using the accelerator decreases the angle
of attack and can make the glider more prone to collapse,
therefore using the accelerator near the ground or in turbulence should be avoided.
Harness
It will be in your harness that you will enjoy flying... Therefore, we
recommend you spend the time necessary to adjust your harness’s
different settings until you are completely comfortable. This will make
flying more pleasurable.
The shoulder straps and the hip straps need to be set for comfort
(make sure you do not have your shoulder’s strap too tight, or you
might find it difficult to get seated after launching). The ideal position
in your harness should be with your knees horizontal and your body
position leaning slightly backwards with your head behind the risers.
The chest strap should be set between 42cm and 46cm (between
the center of the risers) for all sizes. XS and S sizes are certified
with a chest strap set at 42cm, the MS and ML at 44cm and L at
46cm.
Total Weight in flight
Each Ozone glider has been certified for a defined weight range. We
strongly recommend that you respect these weight ranges. If you
are between sizes the following information may help you make a decision as to which size to buy:
If you want better speed, precise handling or if you generally fly in
mountains and/or in strong conditions, you should chose to fly in the
top part of the weight range. If you want a better sink rate, or if you
generally fly in flat lands and/or in weak conditions, you may choose
to fly near the bottom part of the weight range. Remember, you can
always add ballast for when conditions are stronger.
To familiarise yourself with the glider it is a good idea to perform
practice inflations and small flights on a training hill. This will enable
you to set up your equipment correctly. If in any doubt please get
advice and help from your local dealer or instructor.
Preparation
Lay out the wing on its top surface in a pronounced arc, with the
centre of the wing higher than the tips. Lay out the lines one side
at a time. Hold up the risers and starting with the brake lines, pull
all lines clear. Repeat with the stabilo, D, C, B and A lines, laying the
checked lines on top of the previous set, and making sure no lines are
tangled, knotted or snagged. Mirror the process on the other side.
7
ENGLISH
Take-off checklist:
1. Check reserve parachute - pin in and handle secure
2. Helmet on and fastened
3. All harness buckles closed - check leg-loops again
4. Karabiners and maillons tight
5. Holding the A’s and your brake handles
6. Leading edge open
7. Aligned directly into wind
8. Airspace and visibility clear
Launching
Forward Launch - Nil to Light winds
When the wind is favourable, gently hold the A risers and move
forward positively, your lines should become tight within one or two
steps and the Geo 3 will immediately start to inflate. You should
maintain a constant pressure on the risers until the wing is overhead. Do not pull down or push the risers forward excessively, or the
leading edge will deform and possibly collapse making taking-off more
difficult and potentially dangerous.
Move smoothly throughout the entire launch, there is no need to
rush or snatch at it. You should have plenty of time to look up and
check your canopy before committing yourself. Once you are happy
that the wing has inflated correctly, accelerate smoothly until your
feet leave the ground.
Reverse Launch - Light to Strong Winds
Lay out your wing as you would for the forward launch. However, this
time turn to face it, passing one entire set of risers over your head
as you turn. Now you can inflate the glider with the A-risers. Once
the wing is overhead, release the risers, brake gently if necessary,
turn and launch.
In stronger winds, be prepared to take a few steps towards the
glider as it inflates. This will take some of the energy out of the glider
and it will be less likely to overfly you. This reverse-launch technique
can be used in surprisingly light winds too.
IMPORTANT: Never take off with a glider that is not fully
inated or if you are not in control of the pitch/roll of your
wing.
Practice ground handling a lot! Not only is it great fun, but it will give
you a much better feel for your wing’s flight characteristics. It will
also improve your overall enjoyment of flying by giving you the feeling
of control and making your launches easier and less stressful.
In Flight Characteristics
The Geo 3 shows no unusual flying characteristics, consequently it
is suitable for a very wide range of pilot. Turns are smooth and coordinated, on glide it remains solid and well pressured, even through
the accelerated speed range. It has a very high resistance to both
collapses and stalls. However, to get the most out of your Geo 3 we
advise you to consider the following information:
Normal Flight
Flying at ‘trim speed’ (hands-up), the Geo 3 will achieve its ‘best
glide’ speed for still air. You should fly at this speed when gliding
downwind or when the air is not excessively sinking.
For better penetration in headwinds and improved glide performance
in sinking air, crosswinds or headwinds, you should fly faster than
trim speed by using the accelerator system. Using up to half bar
does not degrade the glide angle or stability significantly and will improve your flying performance. You will reach the next thermal faster
and higher. At full speed the Geo 3 is stable; however we recommend
that you do not fly at full speed close to the ground or in turbulence.
By applying the brakes approximately 25cm, the Geo 3 will achieve its
minimum-sink rate; this is the speed for best climb and is the speed
to use for thermalling and ridge soaring.
Turning
To familiaris e yourself with the Geo 3 your first turns should be
gradual and progressive.
8
IMPORTANT: No pilot and no glider are immune to collapses
however active ying will virtually eliminate any tendency
to collapse. When the conditions are turbulent, be more active and anticipate the movements of your wing. Always be
aware of your altitude and do not over-react. We strongly
advice you to always keep hold of your brakes. Do not y in
turbulent conditions.
Landing
The Geo 3 shows no unusual landing characteristics but as a reminder, here are some tips:
•Alwayssetupforyourlandingearly,giveyourselfplentyofoptions
and a safe margin for error.
•Oncebelow30metresavoidturningtightlyasthegliderwillhave
to dive to accelerate back to normal flight. If you are at low altitude,
or if you hit sink, this could mean you hit the ground harder than
necessary.
•Leanforwardoutofyourharnessbeforetheactuallanding(especially if it’s turbulent), with your weight leaning forward against the
chest strap, and make sure your legs are ready for the landing and a
possible PLF (parachute landing fall).
•Allowtheglidertoflyathandsup(trim)speedforyourfinal
descent until you are around 1 metre above the ground (in windy or
turbulent conditions you must fly the glider actively all the way). Apply the brakes slowly and progressively to slow the glider down until
groundspeed has been reduced to a minimum and you are able to
step onto the ground.
•Inlightwinds/zerowindyouneedastrong,longandprogressive
flare to bleed off all your excess ground speed. In strong winds your
forward speed is already low so you are flaring only to soften the
landing. A strong flare may result in the glider climbing upwards and
backwards quickly, leaving you in a vulnerable position.
•Ifthegliderdoesbegintoclimb,easeoffthebrakes(10-20cm)-
do not put your hands up all the way - then flare again, but more
gently this time. Keep the brakes at mid speed, stand up, be ready to
run and make sure you brake fully as you arrive on the ground.
•Choosetheappropriateapproachstyleinfunctionofthelanding
area and the conditions.
•Instrongwindsyouneedtoturntowardsthegliderthemoment
To make efficient and coordinated turns with the Geo 3 first look in
the direction you want to go, then lean into it. Your first input for
directional change should be weight-shift, followed by the smooth
application of the brake until the desired bank angle is achieved. To
regulate the speed and radius of the turn, coordinate your weight
shift and use the outer brake.
IMPORTANT: Never initiate a turn at minimum speed (i.e.
with full brakes on) as you could risk entering a spin.
Active Flying
To minimize the likelihood of suffering collapses in turbulent conditions, it is essential to use active flying.
All good pilots react to the feedback the gliders send them, and are
constantly adjusting their speed and pitch to match the movements
of the air. The key elements of active flying are pitch control and
pressure control:
If the glider pitches in front of you, use the brakes to slow it down.
Equally, if the glider drops behind you, release the brakes to allow it
to speed up. The goal is to keep the wing directly overhead.
Flying with a small amount of brake applied (approx. 20cm) will give
you feedback from the wing. In turbulent conditions the internal pressure of the wing can change and you will feel this through the brakes.
The aim is to maintain a constant pressure through the brakes. If
you feel a loss in pressure apply the brakes until normal pressure
is resumed then raise hands back to original position (this must be
done quickly). Avoid flying with continuous amounts of deep brake in
rough air as you could inadvertently stall the wing. Always consider
your airspeed.
These movements can be symmetric or asymmetric; you may have to
apply both brakes or just one. These subtle adjustments will keep the
glider flying smoothly and directly above you and dramatically reduce
the chances of a collapse. These are skills that are best learnt by
playing with the glider on the ground!
9
ENGLISH
ADVANCED FLIGHT TECHNIQUES
Rapid Descent Techniques
Ozone would like to remind you that these manoeuvres should be
learnt under the supervision of a qualified instructor and always used
with caution. Never forget that properly analysing the conditions
before launch will help avoid the need to use these techniques.
Big Ears
Folding in the wingtips increases the wing’s sink rate. This is useful
for staying out of cloud or descending quickly. To pull big ears, keep
hold of your brake handles and take the outermost A-line on each
side, then pull down (preferably one at a time) until the tips of the
wing fold under. The Outer A line is attached to the Baby A riser,
making identification and use of the big ear system easier.
Do not use the brakes other than for re-inflation. For directional control while using the Big Ears, you should use weight shift.
To reopen your big ears, release both A lines at the same time. To
help reinflation, brake gently one side at a time until tips regain pressure. Avoid deep symmetric applications of the brake as this could
induce parachutal or full stalls.
IMPORTANT: You can land with the ears (you should release
the ears before nal are). Ozone do not advise you to do
this when it’s turbulent or windy due to the risk of a possible stall and lack of precision in steering and active ying.
Big ears and accelerator
Once the big ears are in you can further increase the sink rate by
pushing on the accelerator bar.
NEVER try to pull the Big Ears in with the speed bar on. This
can lead to a major asymmetric deation. Always make the
Big Ears rst and then apply the speed bar.
your feet touch the ground. Once facing the wing pull smoothly and
symmetrically down on the brakes to stall the wing. If the glider pulls
you, run toward it.
•Ifthewindisverystrong,andyoufeelyoumightbedragged,or
lifted again, stall the glider with the C risers. This stalls the wing in
a very quick and controllable manor and will drag you less than if you
used the brakes.
•Alwayslandheadingintowind!
Packing
We recommend packing your Geo 3 using the concertina method to
prolong the life of the plastic reinforcements at the leading edge.
•Spreadthegliderflatonitstopsurfaceandlaythelinesontop.
The risers should be laid on the ground, at the centre of the glider,
near the trailing or leading edge.
•Startingattheleadingedgeafewcellsawayfromthemiddle,pull
each cell from the middle to the tip keeping the plastic reinforcements neatly together, keep going until you reach the wing tip
•Dothesametotheothersideoftheglider.Alwaysmakesurethat
the leading edge is kept together, it is important not to badly crease
the reinforcements.
•Nowyoucanmovetothetrailingedge,pullthemiddleofthetrailing edge taught to full chord and gather the rest of the glider with
loose concertina folds.
•Pushoutanyremainingairbyflatteningthefoldedwingfromthe
trailing edge to the leading edge.
•Foldthesidesofthegliderontopofeachotherandfoldalongthe
chord in 3 places so that the bundle is approximately the size and
shape of the Ozone stuff sack. Never roll the wing up as this introduces unnecessary stresses into the fabric.
•Donotfoldtheglideralongthesamelineseverytime;anytypeof
folding reduces the strength of the fabric over time.
•Alwayspackyourglideraslooselyasyoucan,aseveryfoldweakens
the cloth on any paraglider.
•Wraptheglidertiearoundthewingandputitinthestuffsack.
IMPORTANT: Do not pack away or store your glider wet, this
will cause premature aging to the sail and the lines and will
reduce the overall life of your wing.
10
Spiral Dives
If you turn your glider in a series of tightening 360’s it will enter a
spiral dive. This will result in rapid height loss. To initiate a spiral, look
and lean in to the direction you want to go, then smoothly pull down
on the inside brake. The Geo 3 will first turn almost 360 degrees
before it drops into the spiral. Once in the spiral you should re-centre
your weightshift and apply a little outside brake to keep the outer
wing tip pressured and inflated.
Safe descent rates of 8m/s (1600 ft/min approx.) are possible in
a spiral dive, but at these rates the associated high speeds and
G-forces can be disorientating, so pay particular attention to your
altitude.
To exit the spiral dive, ensure your weight shift is in a centered position and then slowly release the inside brake. As the Geo 3 decelerates allow it to continue to turn until enough energy is lost for it to
return to level flight without an excessive climb and surge.
The Geo 3 shows no tendency to remain locked in a spiral dive however some parameters could interfere with its behaviour. These might
include: settings of the chest strap; total weight in flight outside of
the certified weight range; being in a very deep spiral at a very high
sink rate.
You should always be prepared to pilot the wing out of such a spiral
dive. To do so, smoothly use opposite weight shift and apply a small
amount of outside brake and the glider will start to resume normal
flight. Never attempt to recover from a spiral with hard or quick opposite inputs as this will result in an aggressive climb and surge.
IMPORTANT: Spiral dives with sink rates over 8 m/s are
possible, but should be avoided. They are dangerous and
put unnecessary strain on the glider. Spiral dives cause
disorientation and need time and height to recover. Do not
perform this manoeuvre near the ground.
Big ears and spiral dive
Whilst it is possible to enter a spiral dive whilst holding in Big Ears,
the high forces applied to the lower lines could exceed the breaking
strain of the lines leading to equipment failure!
Ozone strongly recommends to NOT use this manoeuvre!
Wingovers
The limit is tightly banked S-turns, commonly known as wingovers.
These must not exceed 90 degrees of bank.
WARNING: Uncoordinated wingovers can lead to large
asymmetric collapses and cravats, therefore they should
never be executed near the ground.
B-Line Stall
B-stall is for fast descents in emergency situations only. B-stall is
performed by symmetrically pulling down on the B-risers.
To initiate the B-stall place your fingers between the lines above
the maillons on the B risers. Do not release the brake handles. As
you pull the B-lines down the airflow over the wing is broken and the
glider loses its forward speed but remains open and you will descend
at around 6 m/s.
If you pull too much B-line the glider may horseshoe and move around
a lot. If this is the case release the B risers immediately to return to
normal flight.
To exit the B-stall the B-risers should be released symmetrically and
in one smooth, progressive motion. The glider will resume normal forward flight without further input. Check you have forward flight again
before using the brakes.
IMPORTANT: The pitching movement on exiting the B stall
is small but necessary. We recommend you do not brake
the glider until you are sure that the glider is ying again.
11
ENGLISH
control. The first solution to get out of this situation is to stabilise
the glider in normal flight, i.e get control of your direction using the
opposite brake. You must be careful with any brake inputs to not stall
the opposite wing. Once you have control locate and pull down on the
stabilo line, the differently coloured line that goes to the wingtip until
you feel tension and the wing tip frees itself. Sometimes this may
take several attempts.
If pulling the stabilo is not having an effect and you have enough
height remaining then a full stall (symmetrical or asymmetrical) is
another option. This should not be done unless you have been taught
how to do it and can only be done with a large amount of altitude. Remember if the rotation is accelerating and you are unable to control
it, you should use your reserve whilst you still have enough altitude.
IMPORTANT: A bad preparation on launch, aerobatic ying,
ying a wing of too high a level or in conditions too strong
for your ability, are the main causes of cravats.
Deep Stall / Parachutal stall
It is possible for gliders to enter a state of parachutal stall. This can
be caused by several situations including; a very slow release from
a B-line stall; flying the glider when wet; or after a front/symmetric
deflation. The glider often looks as though it has recovered properly
but carries on descending vertically without full forward motion. This
situation is called ‘deep stall’ or ‘parachutal stall’.It is unlikely to
happen on any Ozone glider, but should it happen, your first reaction
should be to fully raise both brakes. This normally allows the glider to
return to normal flight. If nothing happens after a few seconds, reach
up and push the A-risers forwards or apply the speed bar to regain
normal flight.
Ensure the glider has returned to normal flight (check your airspeed)
before you use the brakes again.
IMPORTANT: Only a few cms of input from your brakes can
maintain your wing in the stall. Always release your wraps
if you have taken them!
INCIDENTS
Deflations
Due to the flexible form of a paraglider, turbulence may cause a portion of the wing suddenly to collapse. This can be anything from a
small 30% (asymmetric) collapse to a complete (symmetric) collapse.
If you have a collapse, the first thing to do is to control your direction. You should fly away from the ground or obstacles and other
pilots, or at least not to fly into them... Asymmetric collapses can
be controlled by weight shifting away from the collapse and applying a
small amount of brake to control your direction. This act will most of
the time be enough for a full recovery of the wing.
Once a glider is deflated it is effectively a smaller wing, so the wing
loading and stall speed are higher. This means the glider will spin or
stall with less brake input than normal. In your efforts to stop the
glider turning towards the collapsed side of the wing you must be
very careful not to stall the side of the wing that is still flying. If you
are unable to stop the glider turning without exceeding the stall point
then allow the glider to turn whilst you reinflate the collapse.
If you do have a deflation, which does not spontaneously reinflate,
make a long smooth progressive pump on the deflated side. This
pumping action should take about 2 seconds per pump. Pumping too
short and fast will not reinflate the wing and pumping too slow might
take the glider close to, or beyond, the stall point.
Symmetrical collapses reinflate without pilot input, however 15 to
20cm of brake applied symmetrically will speed the process.
If your Geo 3 collapses in accelerated flight, immediately release the
accelerator to slow down to trim speed and after approximately a 90
deg turn the canopy will reinflate and return to normal flight.
Cravats
If the tip of your wing gets stuck in the lines, this is called a ‘cravat’. This can make your glider go into a spiral, which is difficult to
12
•DONOTrepeatedlyinflatethegliderandthenallowittocrashback
down. Try to keep this movement as smooth as possible by moving
towards the glider as it comes down.
•DONOTslamyourgliderdownonthegroundleadingedgefirst!
This impact puts great strain on the wing and stitching and can even
explode cells.
•FLYINGinsaltyair,inareaswithabrasivesurfaces(sand,rocks
etc.) and ground handling in strong winds will accelerate the aging
process.
It is recommended that you regularly CHECK your wing, especially
after a heavy period of use, after an incident or after a long period of
storage.
Storage
Always store all your flying equipment in a dry room, protected from
the direct heat.
Your wing should be dry before being packed away. Moisture, heat and
humidity are the worst elements for damaging your glider. (Storing a
damp glider in your car under the sun would be terrible for example).
Dry your wing preferably out of the sun, in the wind. Never use a hair
dryer, etc.
If you land in the salt water, you must clean it with fresh water first
and then dry it.
Take care that no insects get packed away with the wing. They may
eat the cloth and make holes in a bid to escape. They can also leave
acidic deposits if they die and decompose.
IMPORTANT: Never pack away or store your glider wet.
Cleaning
Any kind of wiping/scratching can damage the coating of the cloth.
We recommend for cleaning to use a soft cloth dampened only with
water and to use gentle movements little by little across the surface.
IMPORTANT: Never use detergent or chemical cleaners.
ACROBATIC FLYING
The Geo 3 has been designed as a lightweight intermediate XC wing
and is not intended for aerobatic manoeuvres.
A specific standard of certification for aerobatic flying has not been
set up yet. Ozone wings although designed to the highest specifications are, therefore, not certified for this type of flying. As Aerobatic
manoeuvres are very difficult and incorrectly performed manouvers
can put abnormal stresses on the glider and lead to loss of pilot control, Ozone strongly recommend you not undertake this style of flying
as it could seriously reduce the lifespan of you and your wing.
TOWING
The Geo 3 may be tow-launched. It is the pilot’s responsibility to
use suitable harness attachments and release mechanisms and to
ensure that they are correctly trained on the equipment and system
employed. All tow pilots should be qualified to tow, use a qualified tow
operator with proper, certified equipment, and make sure all towing
regulations are observed.
When towing you must be certain that the paraglider is completely
over your head before you start. In each case the maximum tow force
needs to correspond to the body weight of the pilot.
CARING FOR YOUR WING
Careless ground handling damages many paragliders. Here are some
things to avoid in order to prolong the life of your aircraft:
•DONOTdragyourwingalongthegroundtoanothertake-offposition - this damages the sailcloth. Lift it up and carry it.
•DONOTtrytoopenyourwinginstrongwindswithoutuntangling
the lines first - this puts unnecessary strain on the lines.
•DONOTwalkonthewingorlines.
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ENGLISH
MAINTENANCE CHECKS
Your wing, like a car, should be technically checked to ensure proper
airworthiness.
Your wing should be checked by a qualified professional for the first
time after 24 months, or after 100 hours. However, if you are a
frequent flyer (more than 80 hrs per year), then we recommend that
you have your glider checked annually.
The checker should inform you about the condition of your glider and
if some parts will need to be checked or changed before the next
normal service check period.
The sail and the lines do not age in the same way or at the same
rate; it is possible that you may have to change part or all of the
lines during the wing’s life. For this reason it is important to do
regular inspections so that you know the exact condition of all of the
components of your glider. We recommend that inspections are carried out by a qualified professional.
You alone are responsible for your flying kit and your safety depends
on it. Take care of your equipment and have it regularly inspected.
Changes in inflation/groundhandling/flying behaviour indicates the gliders aging, if you notice any changes you should have the wing checked
before flying again.
These are the basic elements of the check up (full details and permissable figures can be found on our website):
Porosity is measured with a porosity meter, the time taken by a
certain volume of air to go through a certain surface of the cloth. The
time in seconds is the result. A measurement is done in a several
places on the top surface along the span of the glider behind the
leading edge.
The tearing resistance of the cloth - A non-destructive test following
Wing Repairs
Amateur repairs often do more harm than good. Always let a registered dealer or the manufacturer carry out major glider repairs.
If you damage the sail:
If the rip is small, you can fix it yourself. You’ll find all the materials in
the repair kit you need.
The Porcher Marine fabric can be simply mended with the sticky rip
stop/spinnaker tape.
When cutting out the patch remember to allow ample overlap around
the tear and round the corners of the patch.
You can find more information about repairing your wing on the Ozone
website, including step by step instructions with pictures.
If you damage a line:
Any line that is damaged should be replaced. It is important that
the replacement line is from the same material, has got the same
strength and the same length. You can check its length against its
counterpart on the other side of the wing, to make sure that it is
symmetrical. Once the line has been replaced, inflate and check the
glider before flying. If you do not have access to an Ozone dealer you
can order individual lines at www.flyozone.com
Caring Tips
•YourOzonewinghasanopeningclosedusingvelcroonthetrailing edge of the tip called the ‘butt hole’. This has been designed to
easily empty all the things which have been accumulating in your wing
(sand, leaves, rocks, mobile phones etc).
•Ifyouflywithawrap,youshouldregularlyundothetwistingthat
appears on the main brake lines. By twisting the line become shorter
and you can end up with a constant tension on the trailing edge
(which can lead to problem on launch, stalling, glider not flying symmetrically, ...)
•Changeyourmainbrakelinesiftheyaredamaged.
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MODIFICATIONS
Your Ozone Geo 3 was designed and trimmed to give the optimum
balance of performance, handling and safety. Any modification means
the glider loses its certification and will also probably be more difficult to fly. For these reasons, we strongly recommend that you do
not modify your glider in any way.
QUALITY
At Ozone we take the quality of our products very seriously, all our
gliders are made to the highest standards in our own manufacturing
facility. Every glider manufactured goes through a stringent series of
quality control procedures and all the components used to build your
glider are traceable. We always welcome customer feedback and
are committed to customer service. We will always undertake to fix
problems not caused by general wear and tear or inappropriate use.
If you have a problem with your glider please contact your dealer/distributor who will be able to decide upon the most appropriate action.
If you are unable to contact your dealer then you can contact us
directly at info@flyozone.com.
the TS-108 standard which specifies minimum tear strength for sky
diving canopies should be made using a Bettsometer. (B.M.A.A. Approved Patent No. GB 2270768 Clive Betts Sails)
Strength of the lines - An upper, middle and lower A line, along with a
lower B and a lower C (and lower D if applicable) line should be tested
for strength. Each line is tested to breaking point and the value recorded. The minimum value is 8 G for all lower A+B lines and 6 G for
all lower remaining lines, calculated from the maximum certified flying
weight of the glider. The added minimum strength for the middle lines
and for the top lines should be the same.
If the breaking strength is too close to the minimum value calculated,
the professional should give a period after which you will have to test
the strength of the lines again.
Lengths of the lines - The overall length (riser lines + mid lines +
upper lines) has to be checked under 5Kgs of tension. The difference
between the measured length and the original length should not
exceed +/- 10mm.
The changes that could appear are a slight shrink on the C or Ds and/
or a slight stretch on the A, B. The consequences of these changes
can include a slower trim speed, difficult inflation etc.
Full check - A full visual check should be carried out: All the components of the wing (stitching, ribs, diagonals, lines, tabs, ...) should be
checked for signs of detoriation.
Finally, a flight test that confirms that the wing behaves normally
should be carried out by the professional.
IMPORTANT: Take care of your glider and make sure you
have it checked according to the above schedule: This will
ensure you hours of safe ying.
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ENGLISH
MATERIALS
All Ozone gliders are made from the highest quality materials available.
Cloth
Upper-surface
Porcher Skytex 9017 E68 36gr
Lower-surface
Porcher Skytex 7000 E71 27gr
Internal Ribs
Porcher Skytex 9017 E29A 40gr / 7000 E29 27g
Leading-edge reinforcement
P18 - 1.8mm plastic piping
Line Set
Lower cascade - Edelrid 6843 - 200/160kg Aramid
Middle cascade - Liros DSL - 140/70kg Dyneema
Upper cascade - Edelrid 8000UV - 90/70 kg
Risers and hardware
Shackles
High quality micro maillons from Maillon Rapide or Dyneema Link Lite
Riser webbing
12mm zero stretch polyester webbing or 7mm lightweight Dyneema
Pulleys
Ronstan Ball bearing
SUMMARY
Safety is paramount in our sport. To be safe, we must be trained,
practised and alert to the dangers around us. To achieve this we
must fly as regularly as we can, ground handle as much as possible
and take a continuous interest in the weather. If you are lacking in
any of those areas you will be exposing yourself to more danger than
is necessary.
Flying is an immense subject which takes years to learn, so let your
experience build slowly, don’t put pressure on yourself, you have
plenty of time to learn as many people fly well into old age. If conditions aren’t good now then pack up and go home, there is always
tomorrow.
Don’t overestimate your abilities, be honest with yourself. As the
wise saying goes, ‘it is better to be on the ground wishing you were
in the air, than to be in the air wishing you were on the ground’.
Every year many pilots get hurt launching; don’t be one of them.
Launching is the time that you are most exposed to danger so practice it lots. Some launch sites are small and difficult and conditions
aren’t always perfect. If you’re good at ground handling you’ll be able
to confidently and safely launch whilst others struggle. You’ll be less
likely to get hurt and more likely to have a great day’s flying.
Ground handling is also a form of flying. It teaches you to be sensitive to your glider and to understand the feedback it sends you, so
practice as much as you can.
Finally, RESPECT the weather, it has more power than you can ever
imagine. Understand what conditions are right for your level of flying
and stay within that window.
Happy flying & enjoy your Geo 3.
Team Ozone
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