Maintaining Your Glider - Gradient GOLDEN3 User Manual

Pilot´s manual GOLDEN 3

6. MAINTAINING YOUR GLIDER

If you handle your glider with care and store it in a suitable place it can last you a
very long time. On the other hand, neglecting maintenance, bad storage and the use
of unsuitable cleaning products can reduce the lifespan of your glider significantly
or may even make it dangerous.
You must keep to these rules:
• Choose a suitable area for your launches. Lines caught on roots or rocks lead
to unnecessary strain on the attachment tabs during inflation. Snagging lines
may rip the canopy tissue or damage lines.
• When landing,
pilot. The effect of these forceful collisions and the sudden pressure increase
can severely damage the air-resistant coating of the canopy as well as weaken
the ribs and seams.
• Protect the canopy from unnecessary strain. Inconsiderate handling of your
glider – pulling it over grass, soil, sand or rocks – will significantly reduce its
lifetime and increase its air-porosity.
• When preparing the paraglider for a launch or when ground handling, be sure
not to step on any of the lines or the canopy.
• Don't tie any unnecessary knots in the lines. Packing methods where special
knots are made in the lines as used on parachutes and reserve parachutes are
not suitable for packing the lines used on paragliders.
• Protect your canopy and lines from unnecessary exposure to sunlight. UV-rays
can damage many parts of a paraglider.
• Try not to pack your glider when wet. If it's unavoidable then dry it as soon
as possible but away from direct sunlight. Be careful to avoid storing your
canopy wet – this is the most common reason for cloth degradation, and is
easily preventable.
• Don't let your glider come into contact with seawater. If it does, rinse the lines,
canopy and risers with fresh water and dry before storing.
• After flight or when storing always use the inner protection sack.
• When storing or during transport make sure your glider isn't exposed to
temperatures higher than 50 degrees Celsius.
• Never let the paraglider come into contact with chemicals. Clean the glider
with clean lukewarm water only.
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never let the canopy fall on its leading edge in front of the
mail: gradient@gradient.cx
Prepared January 2010
tel., fax: +420 257 216 319