GRAZ
hopper
Version 8.0 Owners Manual
Updated January 2013
©2006-2013, Airparamo LLC www.airparamo.com www.grazhopper.com
Page 9 of 12
of examples of PG and PPG pilots and complete newbees that have attempted to self-train
on PPG trikes and ended up severely damaging themselves and their gear. Consider that the
flight training is cheap compared to a broken arm or torn up wing and cage. Contact your
PPG flight instructor or Airparamo LLC on recommendations for instruction.
Here are a few tips to help you in flying a PPG trike:
•
WARNING
:
Always
preflight
your gear prior to launch. As the famous saying goes, it’s
better to be down here wishing you were up there than up there wishing you were down
here.
•
ATTENTION
:
Airparamo LLC strongly
recommends a
strong motor cage
for any
PPG trike flying, preferably one with a
double ring cage. A weak cage with a single
ring cage is a recipe for expensive
equipment damage.
•
WARNING
:
Beginners should only
fly in
calm conditions
with winds not exceeding
8 mph. Skilled and experienced trike pilots
can push these limits as they progress
within their capability as pilots.
•
WARNING
:
Always loudly
announce
“CLEAR PROP”
right before starting the
motor.
•
WARNING
:
Always
wear a helmet
when
you fly the GRAZ
hopper
or any PPG trike.
•
WARNING
:
Always take-off and land
into the wind
. Cross wind take-offs and landings
are to be done only by skilled and experienced pilots.
•
ATTENTION
:
On the initial inflation, be careful to not
whiplash the lines
too hard with
lots of thrust. This could flex even the strongest motor cage and cause the prop to come
into contact cage or wing lines.
•
WARNING
:
On the initial inflation if the
wing is oscillating
, reduce the thrust and
either terminate the launch sequence or attempt to get the wing under control. If the
trike shows any hint of rolling, immediately shut off the engine and abort the launch.
•
WARNING
:
Assume your engine will quit any time
during the flight. In other words,
always have at least one place to safely land.
•
ATTENTION
:
After landing
, shut the motor off as the wing falls behind you.
•
WARNING
:
If
the wind picks up
past 12
mph while you are flying, on landing try to
get the wing to come down straight behind
you. If the wing falls to the side with winds
exceeding 14 mph, there is a strong
likelihood of rolling the trike, physical injury,
and getting dragged.
•
WARNING
:
The GRAZ
hopper
has a wide
wheelbase and a low center of gravity. It is
difficult to roll over
the GRAZ
hopper
.
However, if the trike begins to roll over,
quickly bring your arms inside the roll bar.
The roll bar may protect you from physical
injury if you are dragged or rolled. However, if your arm gets caught under the roll bar
as you are flipped upsidedown, it could cause immediate and painful injuries to your
arm, including broken bones.
•
WARNING
:
If you decide to use a
reserve parachute system
on the GRAZ
hopper
,
have a knowledgeable person who is extremely familiar with reserve use and
deployments install or do a safety review of the reserve mounting system. Also, if you
fly with a reserve, become knowledgeable about the operation parameters, risks and
