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Always seek to expand your knowledge and to develop self-reliance. If there is anything you do not understand, consult with your local dealer as a first point of contact, with the GIN importer in your country or with Gin Gliders directly.
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Griffin manual: 3 Thank you..for choosing Gin Gliders. We are confident you’ll enjoy many rewarding experiences in the air with your GIN Griffin.. This manual contains important safety, performance and maintenance information. Read it before your first flight, keep it for reference, and please pass it on to the new owner if you ever re-sell your paraglider.
Introduction ..........................7 About Gin Gliders ........................7 Manual ........................... 8 Gin Gliders Homepage ......................8 Gin Gliders and the environment ..................9 Respect for nature and the environment ................. 9 Environmentally-friendly recycling ..................9 Safety ............................10 Safety advice ........................10 Safety notices ........................
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Validity of inspection ....................... 30 Repairs ..........................31 Gin Gliders workshops ....................31 Small repairs to the glider ....................31 GIN quality and service ....................31 Dimensions, illustrations, technical and EN/LTF data ............32 Introducing the Griffin ......................32 Delivery ..........................32 Manufacturing .........................
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Griffin manual: 6 Speed System ........................35 Line system, brakes and line plan ..................35 Line system ........................35 Brake line adjustment ...................... 35 Line layout ..........................37 Materials ..........................38 Final words… ........................39 Appendix ..........................40 Glider details ........................40 Pilot details / Proof of ownership ...................
Introduction About Gin Gliders Dream In forming Gin Gliders, designer and competition pilot Gin Seok Song had one simple dream: to make the best possible paragliding equipment that pilots all over the world would love to fly—whatever their ambitions. At Gin Gliders, we bring together consultant aerodynamicists, world cup pilots, engineers and paragliding school instructors, all with one goal: creating better paragliders.
These websites and their content are provided for your use. The content of Gin Gliders websites has been made available for your use on an “as is” and “as available” basis. Gin Gliders reserves the right to alter the websites at any time or to block access to them.
If you are not able to arrange appropriate disposal, Gin Gliders 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.
Gin Gliders publishes on its website any technical safety notices and airworthiness instructions which are issued in respect of GIN products. The paraglider owner is responsible for carrying out the action required by the safety notice. Safety notices are issued by the certification agencies and also published on the relevant websites.
The manufacturer cannot be held liable for any personal injury or material damage which arises in connection with Gin Gliders 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).
EN/LTF certification The Griffin received EN-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.
Harness The Griffin is certified for use with all harnesses with variable cross-bracing (GH type). Practically all modern harnesses are GH type harnesses. Older harnesses with fixed cross- bracing (GX type) are not certified and should not be used. Check with the manufacturer of the harness or your paragliding instructor if in doubt whether your harness is a GH or GX type harness.
The dynamics are reduced somewhat in the middle and lower part of the weight range. But as the Griffin is a mini-wing, the wing is still dynamic compared to a standard paraglider.
Griffin manual: 15 Flying the Griffin Preparation for launch Check the condition of your paraglider and other flying equipment before every flight. Lay out your wing on its top surface in an arc. Make sure that the centre of the wing is higher than the tips.
The Griffin has smooth and progressive inflation characteristics with no tendency to hang back or shoot forwards. However, since the Griffin is a small glider, the takeoff speed will be higher than that of a normal glider. It is therefore not recommended to launch in in backwind situations or when the take-off area is not free of obstacles.
“Trim speed” (brakes fully released) is the best glide speed in still air. Minimum sink speed on the Griffin is achieved by light braking. In a normal flying position (knees parallel to the ground and your body slightly reclined), your hands should be holding the brakes at a level between your eyes and your shoulders.
Use your speed bar when gliding in sinking air, headwinds and crosswinds. The stability of the Griffin does not degrade significantly at speeds of up to half bar.
Griffin manual: 19 C-riser control Minor course and pitch corrections work well when using the C risers for steering. However, we recommend that the pilot makes most of the corrections with the speed-bar as this is safer. CAUTION: C riser control should not be used in strong turbulence. In this case, release the speed bar and fly the glide actively with the brakes.
The Griffin fulfils the EN spiral dive requirements and has no tendency to remain in a stable spiral dive under normal conditions. However, in certain cases, such as spirals with excessive sink rates or wrong harness settings, pilot action may be required.
A cravatte occurs when a wing tip becomes stuck between the glider lines, for example, following a bad take-off preparation. On the Griffin, a cravatte is unlikely to occur. If you do get a cravatte, first control your direction. Do this by using weightshift and enough counter-brake to stop the turn, but not too much to risk a stall of the opposite side.
Griffin manual: 22 CAUTION: Always remain aware of other aircraft and terrain when dealing with a problem on your wing. Rear riser steering If, for any reason, you are unable to use the brakes to steer the glider, you can also use the rear risers.
Towing The Griffin is suitable for towing and the procedure for a towing is similar in its initial stages to a forwards launch. After the canopy has been pulled up to its highest point, the pilot rises from the ground by the tension of the tow line.
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The winch operator must have undertaken training which includes the towing of ● paragliders. The Griffin may not be towed with a towline tension of more than 90 daN. ● The paraglider must not under any circumstances be towed by motor vehicle or ●...
NOTICE: Gin Gliders recommends that pilots use an appropriate tow adaptor, which gives greater safety margins during towing. Paramotoring The Griffin is not intended for paramotoring. Details of GIN wings suitable for motorized flight can be found in the paramotoring section of our website, http://gingliders.com Tandem paragliding The Griffin is not intended for tandem paragliding.
It is very important to pack the glider carefully in order to ensure the longevity of the leading edge reinforcements. Fold up the Griffin as shown in the diagrams below. The leading edge reinforcements (Mylar and Rigid-System) on the front edge are placed on top of each other to avoid bending or misshaping them.
The Griffin should not be exposed to extreme heat (e.g. in the boot of the car during summer). The heat may cause any moisture present to be pressed through the fabric,...
Care The materials used in the Griffin have been carefully selected for maximum durability and performance. Nevertheless, following the guidelines below will keep your paraglider airworthy and will ensure a long period of continuous safe operation.
“Packing the paraglider”. The plastic rods on the Griffin can all be replaced through small pockets. If you notice that a plastic rod has been damaged or misshapen because of incorrect use, this can be replaced by Gin Gliders or a Gin Gliders authorised workshop.
Frequent rinsing accelerates the aging process. Maintenance Type designation GIN gliders have an exact identification on the underside of the wingtip or on the centre rib, which is obligatory for all paragliders. The information required is set out in the airworthiness requirements.
Gin Gliders. Gin Gliders workshops have trained staff, original Gin Gliders parts and the necessary know-how, all of which will ensure top quality. Major repairs at the Griffin, such as replacing panels, should only be carried out by the distributor or manufacturer.
The Griffin is a dedicated miniwing aimed at experienced para-alpinists and ambitious hike 'n fly pilots. Easy to launch, fast and with good performance, the Griffin is able to launch in difficult places and conditions. The wide certified weight range means that the wing is suitable for a range of pilots.
Line system, brakes and line plan Line system The Griffin has A, B and C line levels, which fork two or three times from the bottom (riser) to the top (canopy) and which are divided into "Main", "Lower-Middle", "Higher-Middle" und "Top"...
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Griffin manual: 36 Fig.: Bowline knot WARNING: Loose, unsuitable or incorrectly tied brake line knots can cause the main brake line to loosen and then lead to loss of control of the glider. Incorrect adjustment If the brake lines are too long, the paraglider reacts slowly and is difficult to land. The brake lines can be adjusted during flight by wrapping them around your hands which will improve the flight characteristics.
Griffin manual: 39 Final words… Most of us today live in a dependent society where we are regulated and protected. Individuals rarely are afforded opportunities to develop the self-responsibility that is the foundation of safety in extreme sports such as paragliding.
Griffin manual: 43 Addresses Gin Gliders Inc. 285-1 GalDam-Ri, Mohyun-Myun FAI - Fédération Aéronautique Internationale Yongin City, Kyunggi-Do Maison du Sport International 449-851 Korea Av. de Rhodanie 54 1007 Lausanne Fon: +82-31-333-1241 Switzerland Fax: +82-31-334-6788 Fon: +41 21 345 1070 www.gingliders.com...
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