EN
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necessary skills to control a more dynamic wing. High G rapid descent manoeuvres should be
avoided when flying above the maximum recommended EN weight or when flying with a trike
or high hang point harness. We advise you to aim for near the top of the recommended EN
weight range for free flying and to never fly above Ozone’s recommended PPG weight range
whilst under power.
Load test and wing loading information for PPG wings
To verify the structural strength of a paraglider or paramotor wing, the larger sizes of each
model are subjected to the EN 926.1 load test. This test is comprised of two parts; a static
shock test, and a sustained load test. First, using at least a 1000 kg weak link (higher for
tandems) the wing must survive a brutal static shock test without any visible signs of damage
to the lines or sail. The same wing then performs a sustained load test, inflated and pulled
along a runway by a large truck until a three second average value of 8G is achieved without
breaking. 8G is the minimum accepted load factor for EN certification, calculated by 8x the
maximum permitted EN weight.
In addition to EN 926.1 our paramotor wings are also recognised by the DGAC, an entity
responsible for Microlight (ULM) and lightweight powered aircraft (Paramotor) certification in
France. Using the EN load test results, the DGAC accepts 5.25G as the maximum acceptable
load factor. Both the 8G EN and 5.25G DGAC values, along with the recommended PG (free
flight) and PPG (powered) weight ranges are indicated in the specifications for your reference.
We consider the DGAC load factor limit of 5.25G acceptable for “normal” PPG use - circuit
flying, XC, adventure flying, Slalom racing, wing overs etc. Some rapid descent maneuvers
fit into the “normal” definition: spiral dives with descent rates of ~10m/s are considered
generally safe.
However, in our testing at Ozone we have recorded loads of up to 5.25G during fully engaged,
nose-down spiral dives, at all parts of the weight range. Theoretically, it should not be possible
to break a wing whilst flying at the maximum PPG weight of the larger sizes (smaller wing
sizes have an inherent safety margin due to the fact that the same number & type of lines
carry a lower max weight), but when you consider:
IMPORTANT
Do not perform high
G spiral dives when
flying above the
maximum EN weight
range or when flying
with a trike or a high
hang point harness.
