Puma 13.5
Owner’s Manual
Removal of the outer leading edge
The outer leading edge section slides inside the inner leading edge. It locates on a clevis pin which stops it
rotating. The outer section can be removed without removing the clevis pin. (THE CLEVIS PIN SHOULD
NOT BE REMOVED ON ANY ACCOUNT.) To take the outer section off:
Unzip the glider bag and remove the sail ties. Release the leading edge tension at the nose by unscrewing the
Philips self tapping screws at the nose. The sail can then be disconnected from the end plugs using the 4mm
Allen key.
Make sure the position of the Velcro ties is marked on the ties. Undo the ties closest to the leading edge.
(This will allow the Mylar leading edge to be folded with less damage.)
The leading edge outer can now be pulled out. No other component should be unfastened or removed to
withdraw the outer leading edge. Before removing them mark them 'left' and 'right'. Slide out the outer
leading edges. Place a padded bag over the end of the inner leading edge. (To prevent damage to the sail
cause by the end of the inner leading edge.)
Place a cylindrical object (Cardboard roll 4" diameter, roll of bubble wrap or plastic bottle etc.) along side
the sail and bend the tips round. (Take care not to crease the Mylar or damage the sail on the end of the
inner leading edge or by bending it round too sharply.)
Wrap and pack the leading edge outers so that they will not damage your sail.
Wrap the whole glider well to protect it against people who may not take much care of it.
Re-assembly of the glider
This is basically the reverse of removal of the leading edges:
Open the sail out and remove padding from the end of the inner leading edge.
Check the 5” lines on the inner ends of the outer leading edges. (These are marked with felt tip and give
visual confirmation that the leading edge is fully engaged.)
IMPORTANT: Check that you have your outer leading edges in the correct sides. (CHECK THE MARKS
THAT YOU PUT ON THEM) When the glider is rigged the location for the tip batten (compression strut)
should be on the top front of the leading edge. The datum on the tip cap should be facing backwards towards
the trailing edge.
Slide the outer into the inner leading edge. When almost home the leading edge should be twisted slightly
until the slot engages with the clevis pin. They should then be pushed fully home. Light tapping with a mallet
or something soft might be needed to slide the outer home completely. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT AND
VISUAL CONFIRMATION THAT THE LEADING EDGE OUTER IS FULLY HOME UP TO THE 5"
LINE IS ESSENTIAL
Remove the self tapping screws at the nose and replace and tighten the Allen screws at the tips.
Rig the glider. TAKE GREAT CARE TO PULL THE SAIL TOWARDS THE NOSE WHEN OPENING
THE WINGS OUT. THIS IS ESSENTIAL FAILURE TO DO SO COULD RESULT IN VERY SERIOUS
SAIL DAMAGE.
When the glider is fully rigged the tapping screws at the nose can be replaced. The eyelets should line up
with the screw holes, though it may be necessary to rotate the sail slightly first.
With a fully rigged glider working through the washout rod zip hole re-fasten the Velcro ties. Align them with
their marks so they are the correct length. Check all the Velcro ties. If in doubt their lengths can be checked
see CHECKING VELCRO LENGTHS page 34.
Check all fasteners especially those that have been replaced in your pre-flight check.
Puma 13.5 hand book-Rev-02
25
Summary of Contents for PUMA 13.5
Page 1: ...PUMA 13 5...
Page 21: ...Puma 13 5 Owner s Manual Figure 4 Checking batten tension Puma 13 5 hand book Rev 02 21...
Page 38: ...Puma 13 5 Owner s Manual Section 3 Assembly Drawings Puma 13 5 hand book Rev 02 38...
Page 39: ...Puma 13 5 Owner s Manual NOSE ASSEMBLY Figure 10 Nose assembly Puma 13 5 hand book Rev 02 39...
