Puma 13.5
Owner’s Manual
Landing the
Puma
The secret of a good landing is:
getting prepared for landing while you are still high,
good field selection,
followed by a precise approach with plenty of airspeed.
Always plan your landings from high up, check that the VG is no more than ¼ on (the Puma can be easily
landed with the VG in the range from fully off to a quarter on, personal pilot preference will determine the
precise setting) and make sure you can get your feet out of your harnesses well before landing. Check the
surrounding air for other aircraft preparing to land. Look and check that your approach and over-shoot path
have as few obstacles as possible. (Never choose to land immediately behind other gliders or obstacles but
land to one side; you'll make a lot more friends!)
POST FLIGHT INSPECTION
After landing, especially if heavily, the glider should be inspected as outlined in the pre-flight inspection.
DE-RIGGING
Remember good de-rigging and packing of your glider will dramatically increase its life.
De-rigging is largely the reverse of the assembly sequence:
De-rigging the glider flat
1. Lay the glider flat on the ground and into wind. Remove the wing tip fairings.
2. Unclip all the battens and remove the compression struts and under surface battens.
3. Unzip the washout rod zips and rotate the washout rods so that they are parallel with the leading
edges.
4. Release the cross tube tension and swing the wings in a few feet. Remove the remaining battens.
(Remove all the battens smoothly. Pulling battens out excessively quickly will increase wear of
batten ends and batten pockets)
5. Place the padding around the tension bolt.Bring the leading edges in further. Dismantle the 'A' frame.
Tie a 'stop' knot in the VB cord to prevent it being lost up the upright in transit. Attach the 'A' frame
padding around the bottom of upright castings. When packed the side wires should come out of the
top of this packing. All wires should be packed so they are not kinked.
6. The wing tips can then be brought together. Next the sail should be rolled and tucked inside the
leading edge. One side can be rolled and retained with a tie and tip sock while the other is being
done.
7. The battens can be stowed at the front of the glider between the leading edges with the curves over
the nose section. The ties can then be placed round the glider holding the leading edges neatly
together. Place the glider bag over the glider and then turn the glider on its back.
8. Put the speed bar in its bag and place it in the sail near the wing tip. Any remaining ties should be
put around the glider. Tuck the nose cone under the tie near the nose of the glider.
9. Zip the bag up and store the glider dry, in a cool, dry and dark place.
De-rigging the glider upright on the keel
This is useful in confined spaces or where the terrain is likely to cause soiling or damage to the sail. It is
essentially the reverse of rigging the glider on the keel:
Puma 13.5 hand book-Rev-02
13
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...
