Swing Nexus User Manual

PArAglider

Version 1.0
Date: 27.05.2015

nexus

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 webs ite 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 Nexus 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.
The Swing Team

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 TH E ENVIRONM EN T ......................................................................................8

Respect for nature and the environment ....................................................................................8

Environmentally-friendly recycling ..............................................................................................8

02 SAFETY.....................................................................................................................................9

SAFETY ADV ICE ......................................................................................................................................9

SAFETY NO TICES ....................................................................................................................................9

DISCLAIMER AND EXCLUS ION OF LIABILITY ..................................................................................................10

Disclaimer and exclusion of liability ..........................................................................................10

Operating limits .........................................................................................................................10

GLIDER CATEGORI ES AND GUIDELINES .......................................................................................................11

EN/LTF certification ...................................................................................................................11

Description of flight characteristics...........................................................................................11

Target group and recommended flying experience ..................................................................12

Description of pilot skills required .............................................................................................12

Suitability for training................................................................................................................12

03 TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION .....................................................................................................13

GENERAL L AYOU T ILLUS TRA TION .............................................................................................................13

NEXUS - OFF THE BEATEN TRACK ............................................................................................................13

LINE SYSTEM .......................................................................................................................................13

RISERS...............................................................................................................................................14

TECHNICAL IN FORMATION AND MA TERIALS ................................................................................................14

04 SETTING UP THE NEXUS AND TEST-FLYING .........................................................................15

BEFORE THE FIRS T FL IGHT ......................................................................................................................15

Adjusting the main brake lines ..................................................................................................15

Adjusting the brake handle .......................................................................................................16

Speed system .............................................................................................................................17

C-bridge system .........................................................................................................................19

Other features ...........................................................................................................................19

SUITABLE HARN ES SES ...........................................................................................................................19

RESERVE ............................................................................................................................................20

RECOMMENDED W EIGHT RANGE .............................................................................................................20

05 FLYING THE NEXUS ...............................................................................................................21

FIRST FLIGH T .......................................................................................................................................21

LAYING OUT THE PARAGLIDE R AND PRE-FL IGHT CHECK ..................................................................................21

5-POINT CHECK ...................................................................................................................................21

LAUNCH.............................................................................................................................................22

LEVEL FLIGHT ......................................................................................................................................22

TURNS...............................................................................................................................................22

RAPID DESCENT METHODS .....................................................................................................................23

Spiral dives.................................................................................................................................23

B-stall.........................................................................................................................................24

Big Ears ......................................................................................................................................25

LANDING............................................................................................................................................25

06 TYPES OF USE........................................................................................................................26

WINCH LAUNCH ..................................................................................................................................26

Attaching the towline release system .......................................................................................26

AEROBATICS .......................................................................................................................................27

MOTORISED FLIGHT ..............................................................................................................................27

TANDEM PARAGL IDING .........................................................................................................................27

07 DANGEROUS SITUATIONS AND EXTREME FLYING ..............................................................28

DANGEROUS SITUATIONS .......................................................................................................................28

SAFETY TRAINING .................................................................................................................................28

Material stress and damage......................................................................................................28

Tips on the manoeuvres ............................................................................................................29

COLLAPSING THE P ARAGLID ER .................................................................................................................29

Asymmetric collapse..................................................................................................................29

Front stall...................................................................................................................................29

TYPES OF S TALL ...................................................................................................................................29

Deep stall ...................................................................................................................................30

Full stall......................................................................................................................................30

Spin ............................................................................................................................................30

Emergency steering ...................................................................................................................31

OTHER TIPS FOR DANGE ROUS S ITUATIONS .................................................................................................31

Stalling in rain............................................................................................................................31

Advertising and adhesives .........................................................................................................32

Overloading ...............................................................................................................................32

Sand and salt air ........................................................................................................................32

Temperature range....................................................................................................................32

08 STORING AND LOOKING AFTER THE PARAGLIDER..............................................................33

STORING TH E PARAGL IDER .....................................................................................................................33

Packing the paraglider ..............................................................................................................33

Storing and transporting the glider...........................................................................................34

LOOKING AF TER TH E PARAGL IDER ............................................................................................................35

Fabric .........................................................................................................................................35

Lines ...........................................................................................................................................35

Cleaning .....................................................................................................................................36

09 REPAIRS, INSPECTIONS AND WARRANTY............................................................................37

TYPE DESIGNATION...............................................................................................................................37

REPAIRS.............................................................................................................................................37

Swing workshops .......................................................................................................................37

Small repairs to the glider .........................................................................................................37

REGULAR INSP ECTIONS ..........................................................................................................................37

Lines ...........................................................................................................................................37

INSPECTION ........................................................................................................................................38

General ......................................................................................................................................38

Inspection periods......................................................................................................................38

Validity of inspection .................................................................................................................38

Inspection by the pilot ...............................................................................................................39

WARRANTY ........................................................................................................................................39

10 SWING ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB.....................................................................................40

SWING WEBSITE ..................................................................................................................................40

Product registration...................................................................................................................40

Swing-Online Shop.....................................................................................................................40

Facebook, Twitter & youtube ....................................................................................................40

Swing TV ....................................................................................................................................40

11 APPENDIX..............................................................................................................................41

ADDRESSES .........................................................................................................................................41

Swing Flugsportgeräte GmbH ...................................................................................................41

Paraglider recycling ...................................................................................................................41

DHV ............................................................................................................................................41

EAPR ..........................................................................................................................................41

DULV ..........................................................................................................................................41

VERSIONS ..........................................................................................................................................41

Version 1.0 .................................................................................................................................41

GLIDER DETAILS ...................................................................................................................................42

PILOT DETAILS / PRO OF O F OWN ERSHIP ....................................................................................................42

INSPECTION AND R EPAIR S CARR IED OU T: ...................................................................................................43

NOTES: .............................................................................................................................................44

Introduction

Section 1

7

01 Introduction

Manual

We recommend that you familiarise yourself
with your new paraglider by reading this
Manual before your first flight. This will allow

you to acquaint yourself its new functions, to
learn the best way to fly the paraglider in
various situations, and explain how to get the
best 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.
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 instruction (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 “Pleas e 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 webs ite 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!

Paragliding is, of course, an outdoor sport –
protect and pres erve 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 environmentally-

friendly 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 Nexus 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.

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

Der Gleitschirm darf nur innerhalb der
Betriebsgrenzen betrieben werden. Diese
werden überschritten, wenn einer oder
mehrere der folgenden Punkte zutreffen:

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

 the canopy is wet

Safety

Section 2

11

 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 Nexus, Types of Use
and Dangerous Situations and Extreme
Flying.

Glider categories and
guidelines

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.

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.

EN/LTF certification

The Nexus received C classification in the
final classification by the licensing body.

Description of flight characteristics

Paraglider with a moderate level of passive
safety and potentially dynamic reactions to
turbulence and pilot errors. Recovery to
normal flight may require precise pilot input.

12

Section 2

Safety

Target group and recommended
flying experience

Pilots with extensive flying experience of at
least approx. 75 hours airtime per year, who

are wanting to achieve peak performance,
e.g. in cross-country flying, or who simply
appreciate direct handling and very good
properties in thermal flying.

Description of pilot skills required

Designed for pilots well-practised in
techniques to recover from abnormal flying
conditions, who fly regularly, “actively”, and

who understand the possible implications of
flying a paraglider with reduced passive
safety.

Suitability for training

The Nexus is generally not suitable for use
as a training glider.

Technical Description

Section 3

13

03 Technical Description

General layout illustration

NEXUS - off the beaten track

The Nexus is a cross-country glider
developed for tough conditions, which is
reliable, intuitive and has better performance

than ever, whether at full throttle, or when
gliding or climbing. And the rougher the air,
the more it is in its element!

The Nexus makes any challenge fun. The
complete control through the steering lines

and the amazing stability of the canopy will
mean that you consciously seek out rough
conditions and turbulence.

These features make the Nexus an option
for a very broad group of pilots, from

experienced social pilots right through to ace
cross-country pilots going after rec-rds. It is a
true “all-terrain glider” for any distance and

all flying conditions, which will also be
appealing in pure racing.

Line system

The Nexus 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” (special hoop
technology).

The Maintenance and Service book has a
detailed line connection plan, showing the

individual levels, connections and
descriptions of the lines.

With the brake lines, the individual levels are
bundled at the end with the main brake line.
This runs through the brake pulley attached

to 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. They are fed through special
elastic rings and attached to prevent the
lines from slipping and to ensure that they sit
in the correct position.

WARNING

The paraglider is delivered ex factory with
the Maillon quick links secured using a
strong thread-locking compound Loctite
to prevent unintentional opening. After
service work, quick links which have
been opened must be secured again
against unintentional opening.

Fig. 1: CAD drawing of Astral 7

14

Section 3

Technical Description

WARNING

The service intervals for the lines given in
the Maintenance and Service book must
be observed under all circumstances.

The Nexus has sheathed lines with
diameters of less than 1mm. There is a
risk of the lines breaking if there is
improper use or if service intervals are
not observed.

WARNING

Performance intermediate gliders with
extremely thin line diameters are under
no circumstances suitable for acro flying

or radical extreme flight manoeuvres.

Risers

The 12mm wide risers specially developed
for the Nexus with Kevlar reinforcement
allow the pilot to adjust the speed of the

Nexus using a pulley system to suit his/her
individual preference. There is more
information on using the speed system in the

section “Flying the Nexus”.

Technical information and
materials

The Maintenance and Service book has
detailed technical information, including take­off weight, design information and speed
range. It also includes extensive information
about the canopy and line material used.