Pilot’s manual for Montana3
10
Try not to pack your glider when wet. If it’s unavoidable then dry it as soon as possible but away
from direct sunlight. Be careful to avoid storing your canopy wet - this is the most common reason
for cloth degradation, and is easily preventable.
Don't let your glider come into contact with seawater. If it does, rinse the lines, canopy and risers
with fresh water and dry before storing.
After flight or when storing always use the inner protection sack.
When storing or during transport make sure your glider isn't exposed to temperatures higher than
50 degrees Celsius.
Never let the paraglider come into contact with chemicals. Clean the glider with clean lukewarm
water only.
When packing the glider we recommend concertina folding the reinforced leading edge to avoid
damaging the plastic reinforcements.
For long-term storage don't pack the glider too tightly. Store it in a cold, dry and well-ventilated
room.
After tree- or water-landings always examine the glider carefully. If you suspect that the flight
features of your paraglider have changed, contact an authorised Gradient supplier as soon as
possible.
7. CHECKING YOUR GLIDER
After 180 flying hours or two years your Montana3 must be thoroughly checked and tested by the
manufacturer or by a Gradient authorised service centre. This check is primarily focused on:
measuring of porosity
measuring of tear strength of fabric
sewing of panels, attachment points, cell openings, etc.
condition of lines and risers
line strength
geometry of the suspension system
All data are recorded in the test report. On the basis of the real wing’s condition, authorized technician
will define the next check interval: under normal circumstances it is two years.
8. REPAIRING YOUR GLIDER
Only small repairs, that don't change the airworthiness of the paraglider, may be done by the user.
These include: fixing small tears (but not seams) up to 10 cm; changing damaged lines; and changing
rubber line-fixation rings on the small karabiners.
When repairing your paraglider on your own keep to the following rules:
When repairing the sail use a self-adhesive patch specified for this purpose. Every Montana3 comes
with a small amount of self-adhesive material which is enough for small repairs.
The only admissible repairs done on lines are those where the damaged lines are changed for new
ones. Lines must be exclusively supplied by Gradient; an authorised dealer or authorised service
centre. When ordering new lines use the codes in the attached line diagram. Use the code ‘M3’ and
size of the glider, followed by the line code. E.g. the outside main line in row A for a Montana3 26
is: ‘M3-26 A1.3’.
An exception to this is an emergency repair of brake line while out flying. For this purpose Gradient
encloses a spare line with every Montana3 with a prepared loop on one end. To get the right length
adjust it according to the same line on the opposite side of the canopy. As soon as you can, change
the line for an original one from your authorised Gradient service centre.
