Ozone OCTANE, Pilot'S Manual

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The life of your paraglider depends largely on how you look after it. A well looked-
after glider can last twice as long as a badly treated glider with the same number
of flying hours! Your glider was a major investment and should be worth looking
after carefully. Do not forget that your life may depend on the good condition of
your wing.
UV damage
It is now commonly known that UV rays from the sun degrade paraglider cloth.
Do not leave the wing lying out in the sun for a moment longer than necessary.
Storage
Moisture is the enemy! Always store paraglider/harness/reserve parachute in a
dry room. Do not pack the paraglider away for any length of time until it is
completely dry. A damp paraglider can be dried by hanging it over a washing line
- preferably out of the sun. Allow it to dry naturally, never use a hair dryer etc.
Even when the paraglider is dry, leave the rucksack zip open when possible to
allow residual moisture to evaporate. Do not store the paraglider in company with
chemicals such as dyes, paints or gasoline.
Cleaning
Any abrasion or water will age the cloth of your paraglider, even if only slightly.
Therefore we recommend that stains or marks which have dried into the cloth
should be left uncleaned. The glider may not look so pretty, but it will certainly last
longer! If you still feel that the wing must be cleaned, then use only a soft cloth
moistened with water on small areas and remember that the most sensitive area
of the wing is the leading edge top surface - which should on no account be
cleaned.
Don't even think of putting your glider in the washing machine or using any sort
of chemical cleaners!
Wing Repairs
Amateur repairs can do more harm than good. Always let a registered dealer or
the manufacturer carry out glider repairs.
Very small holes in the wing undersurface can be repaired using sticky-back
Porcher Marine Sailcloth as long as the tear is not on the stitching of the wing and
a large overlap is used. Stick repair cloth on the inside and outside of any area
you are repairing. The silicone coating on the Gelvenor cloth used to enhance the
life of the of the upper surface makes the use of adhesive repair cloth difficult, so
repairs should be professionally stitched. Please consult your dealer.
GLIDER CARE
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