There have been several issues reported associated with the recombination of reserves
with harnesses with an integrated container compartment. Also special characteristics
of the pilot, e.g. his strength or arm length, or a changed packing volume after the first
repacking of the reserve can cause problems related to the deployment of the rescue
system. A compatibility check by a qualified specialist is therefore mandatory. Qualified
specialists are active flight instructors and authorized employees of flight schools who
have received comprehensive instruction in the task of compatibility testing. The reserve-
harness-pilot combination must be tested in a realistic arrangement. That is, the pilot is in
normal flight position while the harness is hooked to its main carabiners.
It has to be checked:
• That the release handle is easy to reach and grasp.
• That the inner container can be pulled out of the outer container easily and effortlessly.
The pulling power on the release handle should be between 4 and 8 daN. During the
release test, the inner container must be fully extracted.
• That the configuration of the release handle, the inner container and their connection
allows for the powerful throwing away of the inner container in one pull with the
extraction.
• Which pilot position results with the selected harness settings when the harness is
hooked to the attachment points of the reserve.
After the compatibility check has been completed and passed, the rescue parachute
inside its inner container is reinstalled in the harness container compartment or external
outer container in accordance with the operating instructions. Particular attention must be
paid to the following:
• That the packing volume indicated on the CHARLY reserve’s approval label is consistent
with the allowed volume indicated in the operating instructions of the harness/
container.
• That the volume of the packed reserve can vary significantly depending on the quality
of packing, and often differs greatly from the volume of a factory-packed reserve
compressed by the harness.
• That the rescue system has not been installed in the wrong direction/arrangement
inside the reserve compartment. The instructions for the harness/container must be
strictly followed in this regard.
It must be ensured that the compatibility test is documented in the packing and inspection
record booklet!
In addition to the usual pre-flight check (see operating instructions of the paraglider, the
harness, possibly the tow release etc.), make sure that the reserve container is properly
closed and the release handle is correctly positioned before every take-off.
If the reserve connection line is unhooked after each flight (for example with a front
Compatibility test of reserve, harness & pilot
PRE-FLIGHT CHECK
Operating & packing instructions | DIAMONDcross
16
