Introduction; Keep Risks To A Minimum; Preliminaries; Assembly Check And First Flight - ICARO 2000 Alto Owner's Manual

Icaro 2000
03/03/2022

1. Introduction

During the last thirty years, hang gliders, has become much safer. Accidents have diminished, due to
the increased professionalism of flying schools, and increasingly stringent certification procedures. In
Switzerland, for example, the insurance risk factor for hang gliding is the same as for winter sports.
However, hang gliding is an active sport, in which there is a certain degree of risk.
Your safety can be greatly enhanced by following a few simple rules:

1.1 Keep Risks to a Minimum


Attend a professional school.

Fly a glider suited to your skills. In order to fly the Alto you should have an intermediate flight
experience and a minimum of 40 flights logged on a beginner hang glider.

Fly only when weather conditions are suitable.

Be aware of adverse weather conditions; caution is a mark of intelligence, not of cowardice.

Keep in continuous contact with your sport. Try to avoid long intervals between one flight and the
next. This will also help you to progressively increase your flying skills.

A new risk may arise when you fly a new type of glider for the first time. The reactions of your new
glider may well differ from those of the glider you were used to. In order to minimise this risk, we
recommend a gradual process of familiarisation with your new glider. Make your first flight in calm
conditions.

1.2 Preliminaries


Study your manual before your first flight. Practice assembly and disassembly as explained in the
manual.

Always follow the same assembly and pre-flight check routine.

Hook-in your harness as final step of glider assembly. Missed hook-in of the harness is still one of
the major cause of fatal accident in hang-glider. If you hook-in the harness before to wear it, you will
avoid this forgetfulness. All others procedures/systems are liable of mistakes.

If you have to step away from the glider after you got "ready to fly", take off the harness. Do not
unhook yourself!

Do not allow yourself to be distracted during pre-flight check!

Do not wear your harness if it is not hooked to the wing!

1.3 Assembly Check and First Flight


Every hang glider manufactured by ICARO 2000 is test flown at least once before delivery to the
customer. However, if you wish, you can request another test flight from your dealer.

Your dealer should also help you set up your glider for the first time and see you off on your first
flight.

We strongly recommend speedbar wheels, especially for your first flights.

1.4 First mountain launch


For your first mountain launch, wait until weather conditions are ideal.

It is best to fly in a location with which you are familiar, as long as it has a suitable launch site and
landing site, in terms of both space and aerological conditions.

Fly with your habitual harness and instrument.

Experiment with different VG settings, roll reversals, slow flight, high speed flight and stalls at an
altitude of at least 350 m (about 1,000 feet).

2. Fundamental Rules


After major repairs, after replacing the sail or after a long period without flying, always choose a site
to fly from that you are familiar with; and where it is possible to land immediately after take-off.
Alto – Owner Manual
Page # 4/48
Alto 2022-1-En