Swing APUS RS 18, APUS RS 14 HIKE, APUS RS 20, APUS RS 16 HIKE, APUS RS 20 HIKE User Manual
...
PArAglider
Revision: 1.3
Date: 05.09.2017
APUS
rs
APUS
rs
HIKE
Manual (EN)
INFORMATION
SWING Flugsportgeräte GmbH reserves the right to alter or add to the contents of this
Manual at any time. You should therefore regularly visit our website :
www.SWING.de
where you will find additional information relating to your paraglider and any changes to
the Manual. There is further information about the SWING website in the section
“SWING on the World Wide Web”.
The date and version number of this Manual are given on the front page.
Express written consent from SWING Flugsportgeräte GmbH is required for any duplication of this
Manual, in whole or in part (with the exception of short quotations in specialist articles), and in any
form or by any means, whether it be electronic or mechanical.
The fact that this Manual has been made available does not confer any claim to the product
descriptions, common or trade names or other intellectual property.
Dear APUS RS pilot
THANK YOU FOR PURCHASING A SWING PRODUCT!
We hope that flying a SWING glider will bring you many years of enjoyment. The
innovative design, first-rate materials and high quality workmanship of your paraglider set
it apart from others. Your SWING paraglider was developed to comply with all of the
current safety and certification requirements in Germany.
To enhance your flying enjoyment further, we recommend that you familiarise yourself with
the information and instructions contained in this Manual regarding safety, equipment and
service.
If you have any questions which are not answered in this Manual, please do not hesitate to
contact SWING directly or your SWING dealer. Our contact details are in the Appendix.
SWING Team
This glider equipped with SWING Ram Air Section Technology (RAST)
Read this Manual before using your paraglider!
Contents
01 INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................... 7
MANUAL ........................................................................................................................................... 7
Special text ................................................................................................................................ 7
Series of instructions ................................................................................................................. 8
Lists of parts .............................................................................................................................. 8
Bullet points .............................................................................................................................. 8
Paraglider Manual on the Internet ............................................................................................ 8
SWING FLUGSPORTGERÄTE AND THE ENVIRONMENT .................................................................................. 8
Respect for nature and the environment................................................................................... 8
Environmentally-friendly recycling ............................................................................................ 8
02 SAFETY .................................................................................................................................... 9
SAFETY ADVICE ................................................................................................................................... 9
SAFETY NOTICES .................................................................................................................................. 9
DISCLAIMER AND EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY................................................................................................ 10
Intended use ............................................................................................................................ 10
Disclaimer and exclusion of liability ........................................................................................ 10
Operating limits ....................................................................................................................... 10
GLIDER CATEGORIES AND GUIDELINES ..................................................................................................... 11
EN/LTF classification ............................................................................................................... 11
Target group ........................................................................................................................... 12
Suitability for training ............................................................................................................. 12
03 TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION ...................................................................................................... 13
GENERAL LAYOUT ILLUSTRATION ........................................................................................................... 13
APUS RS – HEADING FOR ADVENTURE… ................................................................................................ 13
RAST ............................................................................................................................................. 13
LINE SYSTEM .................................................................................................................................... 14
RISERS ............................................................................................................................................ 15
TECHNICAL DATA .............................................................................................................................. 16
04 SETTING UP THE APUS RS AND FIRST-FLYING ........................................................................ 17
BEFORE THE FIRST FLIGHT .................................................................................................................... 17
Adjusting the main brake lines ................................................................................................ 17
Adjusting the brake handle (not valid for APUS RS Hike) ........................................................ 19
Speed system ........................................................................................................................... 19
Other features ......................................................................................................................... 21
SUITABLE HARNESSES ......................................................................................................................... 21
RESERVE ......................................................................................................................................... 21
BALLAST .......................................................................................................................................... 21
RECOMMENDED WEIGHT RANGE ........................................................................................................... 22
Recreational ............................................................................................................................ 22
Hike and Fly ............................................................................................................................. 22
Mini Wing ................................................................................................................................ 22
05 FLYING THE APUS RS ............................................................................................................. 23
FIRST FLIGHT .................................................................................................................................... 23
LAYING OUT THE PARAGLIDER AND PRE-FLIGHT CHECK ................................................................................ 23
5-POINT CHECK ................................................................................................................................. 23
LAUNCH .......................................................................................................................................... 24
LEVEL FLIGHT .................................................................................................................................... 24
TURNS ............................................................................................................................................ 24
RAPID DESCENT METHODS ................................................................................................................... 25
Spiral dives .............................................................................................................................. 25
B-stall ...................................................................................................................................... 26
Big Ears ................................................................................................................................... 27
LANDING ......................................................................................................................................... 27
06 TYPES OF USE ........................................................................................................................ 28
WINCH LAUNCH ................................................................................................................................ 28
Attaching the towline release system ..................................................................................... 28
TANDEM PARAGLIDING ....................................................................................................................... 29
AEROBATICS..................................................................................................................................... 29
MOTORISED FLIGHT ........................................................................................................................... 29
07 DANGEROUS SITUATIONS AND EXTREME FLYING.................................................................. 30
DANGEROUS SITUATIONS .................................................................................................................... 30
SAFETY TRAINING .............................................................................................................................. 30
Material stress and damage ................................................................................................... 30
Tips on the manoeuvres .......................................................................................................... 31
COLLAPSING THE PARAGLIDER .............................................................................................................. 31
Asymmetric collapse................................................................................................................ 31
Front stall ................................................................................................................................ 31
TYPES OF STALL ................................................................................................................................. 31
Deep stall ................................................................................................................................ 32
Full stall ................................................................................................................................... 32
Spin .......................................................................................................................................... 32
Emergency steering ................................................................................................................. 33
OTHER TIPS FOR DANGEROUS SITUATIONS ............................................................................................... 33
Stalling in rain ......................................................................................................................... 33
Advertising and adhesives ....................................................................................................... 34
Overloading ............................................................................................................................. 34
Sand and salt air ...................................................................................................................... 34
Temperature range ................................................................................................................. 34
08 STORING AND LOOKING AFTER THE PARAGLIDER ................................................................. 35
STORING THE PARAGLIDER ................................................................................................................... 35
Packing the paraglider ............................................................................................................ 35
Storing and transporting the glider ......................................................................................... 36
LOOKING AFTER THE PARAGLIDER .......................................................................................................... 36
Fabric....................................................................................................................................... 36
Lines ........................................................................................................................................ 37
Cleaning .................................................................................................................................. 37
09 REPAIRS, INSPECTIONS AND WARRANTY .............................................................................. 38
TYPE DESIGNATION ............................................................................................................................ 38
REPAIRS .......................................................................................................................................... 38
SWING workshops ................................................................................................................... 38
Small repairs to the glider ....................................................................................................... 38
REGULAR INSPECTIONS ....................................................................................................................... 38
Lines ........................................................................................................................................ 38
INSPECTION ..................................................................................................................................... 39
General .................................................................................................................................... 39
Inspection periods ................................................................................................................... 39
Validity of inspection ............................................................................................................... 39
WARRANTY ..................................................................................................................................... 40
10 SWING ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB ....................................................................................... 41
SWING WEBSITE .............................................................................................................................. 41
PRODUCT REGISTRATION ..................................................................................................................... 41
FACEBOOK, TWITTER & YOUTUBE ......................................................................................................... 41
Paragliding .............................................................................................................................. 41
Speedgliding ............................................................................................................................ 41
SWING TV ................................................................................................................................ 41
SWING App .............................................................................................................................. 41
APPENDIX .................................................................................................................................. 42
ADDRESSES ...................................................................................................................................... 42
SWING Flugsportgeräte GmbH................................................................................................ 42
Paraglider recycling ................................................................................................................. 42
DHV ......................................................................................................................................... 42
EAPR ........................................................................................................................................ 42
DULV ....................................................................................................................................... 42
VERSIONS ........................................................................................................................................ 42
Version 1.1 .............................................................................................................................. 42
GLIDER DETAILS ................................................................................................................................ 43
PILOT DETAILS / PROOF OF OWNERSHIP .................................................................................................. 43
INSPECTION AND REPAIRS CARRIED OUT: ................................................................................................. 44
Introduction
Section 1
7
01 Introduction
Manual
SWING requires you to familiarise yourself
with your new paraglider by reading this
Manual before your first flight. This will allow
you to acquaint yourself with its new
functions and learn the best way to fly the
paraglider in various situations. It will also
explain how to get the most out of your
paraglider.
Information in this Manual on design of the
paraglider, technical data and illustrations
are subject to change. We reserve the right
to make changes without prior notification.
Special text giving safety information is
identified in this Manual in accordance with
the ANSI Z535.6 standard.
The Manual complies with the airworthiness
requirements in LTF NFL II 91/09 and forms
part of the certification.
There are a total of three parts to the
Manual, which give the following information:
1. Manual (this document):
Instructions on getting started and using
the paraglider
2. Maintenance and Service Book
(PDF/Download):
Technical data and inspection
information specific to the particular
glider
3. Inspection Information (PDF/Download):
General instructions and guidance on
carrying out the regular inspection of
paragliders
© SWING Flugsportgeräte GmbH
Special text
DANGER
Sections of text headed “Danger”
indicate a situation where there is
imminent danger, which in all
probability will lead to death or
serious injury, if the instructions given
are not followed.
WARNING
Sections of text headed “Warning”
indicate a potentially dangerous
situation, which may lead to death or
serious injury, if the instructions are
not followed.
CAUTION
Sections of text headed “Caution”
indicate a potentially dangerous
situation, which may lead to minor or
slight injury, if the instructions are not
followed.
PLEASE NOTE
Sections of text headed “Please note”
indicate possible damage to property,
which may occur if the instructions are
not followed.
TIP
Sections of text headed “Tip” give
advice or tips which will make it easier
to use your paraglider.
8
Section 1
Introduction
Series of instructions
In this Manual, instructions which must be
followed in a certain order are numbered
consecutively.
< Where there is a series of pictures with
step-by-step instructions, each step has
the same number as the corresponding
picture.
d Letters are used where there is a series
of pictures but the order is not relevant.
Lists of parts
Numbers circled in red refer to various
parts of the item pictured. A list of the
numbers and the name of the part
labelled follows the picture.
Bullet points
Bullet points are used in the Manual for lists.
Example:
risers
lines
Paraglider Manual on the Internet
Additional information about your paraglider
and any updates to the Manual can be found
on our website at www.SWING.de.
This Manual was current at the time of going
to print. This Manual can be downloaded
from SWING’s website prior to print.
SWING Flugsportgeräte and
the environment
Protection of the environment, safety and
quality are the three core values of SWING
Flugsportgeräte GmbH and they have
implications for everything we do. We also
believe that our customers share our
environmental awareness.
Respect for nature and the
environment
You can easily play a part in protecting the
environment by practising our sport in such
a way that there is no damage to nature and
the areas in which we fly. Keep to marked
trails, take your rubbish away with you,
refrain from making unnecessary noise and
respect the sensitive biological equilibrium of
nature. Consideration for nature is required
even at the launch site!
Smokers – please do not leave any cigarette
butts, matches etc at flying sites.
Paragliding is, of course, an outdoor sport –
protect and preserve our planet’s resources.
Environmentally-friendly recycling
SWING gives consideration to the entire life
cycle of its paragliders, the final stage of
which is recycling in an environmentallyfriendly manner. The synthetic materials
used in a paraglider must be disposed of
properly. If you are not able to arrange
appropriate disposal, SWING will be happy
to recycle the paraglider for you. Send the
glider with a short note to this effect to the
address given in the Appendix.
Safety
Section 2
9
02 Safety
WARNING
The safety advice given below must be
followed in all circumstances. Failure to
do so renders invalid the certification
and/or results in loss of insurance cover,
and could lead to serious injuries or even
death.
Safety advice
All forms of aerial sport involve certain risks.
When compared with other types of aerial
sport, paragliding has the lowest number of
fatal accidents measured according to the
number of licensed pilots.
However, few other sports demand such a
high level of individual responsibility as
paragliding. Prudence and risk-awareness
are basic requirements for the safe practice
of the sport, for the very reason that it is so
easy to learn and practically anyone can do
so. Carelessness and overestimating one’s
own abilities can quickly lead to critical
situations. A reliable assessment of
conditions for flying is particularly important.
Paragliders are not designed to be flown in
turbulent weather. Most serious paraglider
accidents are caused by pilots misjudging
the weather for flying.
Paragliders themselves are extremely safe.
In the type certification tests, all component
parts of a paraglider must withstand eight
times the load of normal flight. There is a
three-fold safety margin compared to the
maximum extreme load occurring in flight.
This is higher than the two-fold margin usual
in aviation. Accidents caused by material
failure are therefore practically unheard of in
paragliding.
In Germany, paragliders are subject to the
guidelines for air sports equipment and must
not under any circumstances be flown
without a valid certification. Independent
experimentation is strictly prohibited. This
Manual does not replace the need to attend
training at a paragliding school.
A specialist must test-fly and inspect the
paraglider before your first flight. The testflight must be recorded on the paraglider
information label.
Carry out your first flight with the paraglider
on a training slope. For this flight and for all
other flights, you must wear an approved
helmet, gloves, firm shoes with anklesupport and suitable clothing. Only fly if the
wind direction, wind speed and current and
forecasted weather conditions guarantee a
safe flight.
The Manual must be passed on to any new
owner if the paraglider is sold. It is part of
the certification and belongs with the
paraglider.
The APUS RS was developed and tested
solely for use as a paraglider for foot-launch
and winch-towing. Any use other than as
intended is not permitted. Do not under any
circumstances use the paraglider as a
parachute. Acrobatics are not permitted.
Observe the other specific safety advice in
the various sections of this Manual.
Safety notices
Safety notices are issued when defects arise
during use of a paraglider which could
possibly also affect other gliders of the same
model.
The notices contain instructions on how to
inspect the gliders concerned for possible
faults and the steps required to rectify any
faults.
SWING publishes on its website any
technical safety notices and airworthiness
instructions which are issued in respect of
SWING products. We will also send you
safety notices directly by email if you have
registered your product (refer to “Product
10
Section 2
Safety
Registration” in the section “SWING on the
World Wide Web”).
WARNING
The paraglider owner is responsible for
carrying out the action required by the
safety notice.
Safety notices are released by the
certification agencies and are also published
on the relevant websites. You should
therefore visit the safety pages of the
certification agencies on a regular basis and
keep up-to-date with new safety notices
which cover any products relating to
paragliding (refer to Appendix for
addresses).
Services such as RSS are also
available which allow internet
users to follow various websites
and changes to them without
having to access them
individually. This allows much more
information to be followed than was
previously the case.
Disclaimer and exclusion of
liability
Use of the paraglider is at the pilot’s own
risk!
The manufacturer cannot be held liable for
any personal injury or material damage
which arises in connection with SWING
paragliders. The certification and warranty
shall be rendered invalid if there are
changes of any kind (incl. paraglider design
or changes to the brake lines beyond the
permissible tolerance levels) or incorrect
repairs to the glider, or if any inspections are
missed (annual and 2-yearly check).
Pilots are responsible for their own safety
and must ensure that the airworthiness of
the glider is checked prior to every flight.
The pilot should launch only if the paraglider
is airworthy. In addition, when flying outside
of Germany, pilots must observe the
relevant regulations in each country.
The glider may only be used if the pilot has
a licence which is valid for the area or is
flying under the supervision of an approved
flying instructor. There is no liability on the
part of third parties, in particular the
manufacturer and the dealer.
Intended use
The APUS RS has solely to be used as a
„light aerial sports equipment” with an empty
weight of less than 120 kg, category
paraglider.
Disclaimer and exclusion of liability
In terms of the warranty and guarantee
conditions, the paraglider may not be flown if
any of the following situations exists:
the inspection period has expired, or the
inspection has been carried out by an
unauthorised inspector
the pilot has insufficient experience or
training
the pilot has incorrect or inadequate
equipment (reserve, protection, helmet
etc.)
the glider is used for winch-launching
with a winch which has not been
inspected or by non-licensed pilots
and/or winch operators
Operating limits
The paraglider may only be used within the
operating limits. These have been exceeded
if any of the following situations exists:
the take-off weight is not within the
permissible weight range
the glider is used by more than one
person
the glider is flown in rain or drizzle,
cloud, fog and/or snow
Safety
Section 2
11
the canopy is wet
there are turbulent weather conditions
and/or wind speeds on launch higher
than 2/3 of the maximum flyable
airspeed of the glider (based on take-off
weight)
the air temperature is below -30°C or
above 50°C
the glider is used for aerobatics/extreme
flying or flight manoeuvres at an angle
greater than 90°
there have been modifications to the
canopy, lines or risers which have not
been approved
WARNING
The operating limits must be observed
throughout the entire flight.
When planning your flight, pay attention
to current and forecasted weather
conditions and temperature. Bear in mind
too that the temperature will drop as the
altitude increases.
WARNING
It is imperative that the instructions
contained in this Manual are followed at
all times.
Failure to do so renders invalid the
glider’s certification and/or results in loss
of insurance cover. Furthermore, it could
lead to serious injuries or even death.
This applies in particular, but not only, to
the instructions given in the sections
Safety, Flying the APUS RS, Types of
Use and Dangerous Situations and
Extreme Flying.
Glider categories and
guidelines
WARNING
The descriptions of flight characteristics
contained in this Manual are all based on
experiences from the test flights, which
were carried out under standardised
conditions.
The classification is merely a description
of the reactions to these standard tests.
The complexity of the paraglider system
means that it is not possible to give any
more than a partial description of the
glider’s flight behaviour and reactions to
disturbances. Even a small alteration in
individual parameters can result in flight
behaviour which is markedly modified
and different from the description given.
The German Hanggliding and Paragliding
Association (DHV) and its safety division
have developed guidelines which are based
on many years of analysing paraglider
accidents and on the experience of flying
schools, flying instructors and safety officers.
These guidelines should help pilots to select
the appropriate glider classification for their
particular level of flying ability. The
information below relates to the classification
in EN/LTF-certification. There is also further
information on the website of the relevant
licensing body.
EN/LTF classification
The APUS RS has an extended weight
range so, in the testing agency’s final
classification, it was classified accordingly
correspondingly different classes ranging
from A to D.
Please refer to the technical data for the
classification of your chosen glider size in
combination with your take-off weight.
12
Section 2
Safety
The classes are explained in greater detail
below.
EN-A
Description of flight characteristics
Paragliders with maximum passive safety
and extreme forgiving flying characteristics.
Good resistance to departures from normal
flight.
Description of pilot skills required
For all pilots including pilots at all levels of
training.
EN-B
Description of flight characteristics
Paragliders with good passive safety and
forgiving flying characteristics. Some
resistance to departures from normal flight.
Description of pilot skills required
Designed for all pilots after training.
EN-C
Description of flight characteristics
Paragliders with moderate passive safety
and with potentially dynamic reactions to
turbulence and pilot errors. Recovery to
normal flight may require precise pilot input.
Description of pilot skills required
Designed for pilots familiar with recovery
techniques, who fly ‘actively’ and regularly,
and understand the implications of flying a
glider with reduced passive safety.
The pilot should have considerable flying
experience of at least approx. 75 flight hours
per year.
EN-D
Description of flight characteristics
Paragliders with demanding flying
characteristics and potentially violent
reactions to turbulence and pilot errors.
Recovery to normal flight requires precise
pilot input.
Description of pilot skills required
Designed for pilots well practised in recovery
techniques, who fly very actively, have
significant experience of flying in turbulent
conditions, and who accept the implications
of flying such a wing.
The pilot must have considerable flying
experience of at least approx. 75 flight hours
per year.
Target group
The flight characteristics of the APUS RS
depend on the clip-in weight and appeal to a
broad target group.
Depending on the pilot’s flying experience,
the glider size chosen and the take-off
weight, the glider can be used for a number
of different purposes such as long-distance
trips, vol-bivouac and hike & fly, as well as
coastal soaring and soaring in strong winds
and also pleasant thermal flying.
If every last gram counts, then the APUS RS
is also available as a hike version in extra
light materials.
Differences between both Versions are
pointed out in respective areas of this
manual.
Suitability for training
The APUS RS in sizes 14, 16 and 18 is not
suitable for use as a training glider.
The APUS RS in sizes 20 and 23 is suitable
for use as a training glider.
Pilots must observe the relevant regulations
in each country.
Technical Description
Section 3
13
03 Technical Description
General layout illustration
Fig. 1 CAD drawing of APUS RS
APUS RS – heading for
adventure…
What does a species of bird such as the
APUS (or swift) have in common with a
paraglider? A good deal, once you know
that the bird known as the APUS is a small
to medium-sized glider – just like your new
SWING paraglider.
Like the common swift (APUS APUS) your
APUS RS is also a quick and agile glider.
Its flight characteristics differ little from those
of a traditional paraglider – but it is smaller
so flies very dynamically, although
nevertheless still with very good
performance and safety.
Your APUS RS glides beautifully with a very
good speed range and still climbs superbly
in thermals or when ridge-soaring, despite
its small surface area. Its handling is agile
but can be mastered by paraglider pilots
without any particular familiarisation being
necessary.
The use of RAST technology means that the
APUS RS has above average resistance to
collapse.
However, if you should ever experience a
collapse, it is generally less widespread,
which then entails smaller angles of rotation
and less loss in altitude.
Only the great dynamics and direct
response to pilot input need to be borne in
mind.
The APUS RS is suitable as the perfect
second glider for enthusiastic paraglider
pilots. The APUS RS is a glider that you’ll
always have with you with a lightweight
harness and reserve, making it the universal
tool for every occasion.
RAST
The APUS RS features Swing’s unique Ram
Air Section Technology, known as ‘RAST’
for short.
This system divides the interior of the
paraglider into several chambers crossways
to the flight direction.
Defined openings regulate the inflowing and
outflowing air in such a way that they can
influence the way the canopy fills (when
launching) and also how it empties (in the
event of canopy stability problems).
Inflation behaviour
RAST slows down the inflowing air when the
paraglider is inflating. The front part of the
profile which is relevant for flow thus takes
shape much more quickly and the glider
immediately begins to rise up from the
ground. The back part of the canopy is filled
with air only slowly during the subsequent
stage of inflation, which results in very
harmonious and smooth launch behaviour
14
Section 3
Technical Description
without any tendency to overshoot or launch
the pilot unintentionally.
Collapse behaviour
If there are any stability problems, RAST
prevents the canopy from suddenly and/or
completely emptying because the air is not
able to escape as quickly from the rear
section.
However, it allows a sufficiently large area
of the glider to collapse to dampen and
dissipate energy. With RAST technology,
collapses more than 50% of the wing depth
can only be simulated with great difficulty
and to date have not been experienced in
practice even in very thermic and turbulent
conditions.
A paraglider equipped with the RAST
system empties more slowly, has less
tendency to turn and opens more quickly.
This means that there is much less loss of
height than for the same design without
RAST.
Line system
The APUS RS has A, B and C- line levels,
which fork twice from the bottom (riser) to
the top (canopy) and which are divided into
main, middle and top lines. The individual
line levels are connected with one another
using the “handshake knot”.
The Maintenance and Service book has a
detailed line connection plan, showing the
individual levels, connections and line
descriptions.
With the brake lines, the individual levels
are bundled at the end with the main brake
line. This runs through the brake pulley on
the riser and is knotted at the brake swivel
of the control handle. There is a mark on the
main brake line which allows the control
handle to be correctly positioned.
The main lines are all attached to Maillon
quick links. The lines are fed through special
elastic rings and attached to prevent them
from slipping and to ensure that they sit in
the correct position.
WARNING
Please make sure that you comply with
the service intervals for the lines which
are given in the Maintenance and Service
book. These must be observed under all
circumstances.
The lines used for the APUS RS have a
diameter of less than 1mm. There is a
risk that the lines will break if they are
handled incorrectly or if the service
intervals are not observed.
Fig. 1 Sketch RAST
Loading...