18. Inspection instructions Airtaxi²
Attention: Fly market GmbH & Co. KG is not liable for any errors made by the person (or service company) carrying
out the inspection. This person (or company) always works on their own responsibility!
If in doubt about the procedure of the inspection or the airworthiness of the equipment, always contact Fly market
GmbH & Co. KG or, if necessary, send the equipment directly to us for inspection.
18.1. Inspection scope
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Every paraglider is subject to mandatory inspection.
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The inspections may be carried out by the manufacturer or by a person authorised by the manufacturer who
meets the following requirements. Since 01.07.2001 there is also the legal possibility that the owner can
check his device himself. This possibility is not recommended by the manufacturer, because the owner
usually has not the technical knowledge and necessary measuring equipment available. In addition, in this
case the equipment may only be flown by the owner - the use of the paraglider by third parties will then be
excluded!! A test report is being drawn up at each inspection. The owner is obliged to always keep the last
inspection report and to send a copy of it to the manufacturer. Each inspection step must be carried out
conscientiously and entered in the inspection report.
!
If a defect is found during the inspection, the glider is not allowed to be flown any further. The glider must be
repaired by the manufacturer or a person authorized by the manufacturer.
18.2. Inspection intervals
The intervals for training equipment and commercially used tandem paragliders are every 12 months, all other
paragliders every 24 months or after 100 operating hours.
A line measurement should be made every 20 flying hours and compared with the data sheet.
18.3. Personnel requirements for the inspection
Personnel requirements for the inspection of paragliders used only for personal and single-seater use:
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A valid unrestricted pilot's licence for paragliders or an equivalent approved licence.
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Sufficient type-related training at the manufacturer's or importer.
Note: If a paraglider has been tested exclusively for personal use, its use by third parties is excluded.
Personnel requirements for the inspection of paragliders used by third parties and for two-seaters:
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Vocational training favourable to the examination activity
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A professional activity of two years in the manufacturing or maintenance of paragliders, hang-gliders or similar
technical equipment, including 6 months within the last 24 months.
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Sufficient type-related training of at least two weeks at the manufacturer or importer.
18.4. Necessary documents
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Current version of the inspection instructions
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Data sheets
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Previous inspection reports (only for further inspections)
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Maintenance and calibration documents for the measuring instruments
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manufacturer's corrective action instructions
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Airworthiness directive if applicable
18.5. Test procedures
Identification of the equipment
:
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Once the paraglider has been handed over, an initial inspection is carried out and the paraglider is identified
on the basis of the official manufacturer's documents.
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Check the type label and inscriptions for correctness, completeness and readability.
Visual inspection of the canopy:
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The upper and lower sail, leading edge, trailing edge, ribs (including any V-ribs), cell partitions, seams, flares
and line loops are examined for cracks, shearing, stretching, damage to the coating, repairs and other
conspicuous features. The test result must be recorded in the inspection report.
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In case of rips at the seams and other damages the repair must be carried out only by original spare parts
and original seam pattern, no gluing with adhesive sail, use of non-original spare parts, etc.
Visual inspection of the lines:
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If the lines are damaged (seams, rips, folds, chafe marks, thickenings, core exits, etc.), they must be
replaced immediately with original spare parts and original seam pattern.
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In case of injuries to the lines (seam pattern, coat, etc.), they must be replaced immediately with original
spare parts and original seam pattern.
Visual inspection of the connecting parts
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All line shackles and any existing trimmers and speed systems must be checked for conspicuous features
such as rips, chafing and difficult movement. Both risers are checked for shearing points, tears and heavy
wear and then measured under a load of 5 daN. The values determined must be compared with the
specifications of the type identification sheet and documented in the inspection report.
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Max +/- 5 mm difference in riser lengths are permissible
Measurement of line lengths:
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The individual lines are laid out and measured loaded with 5 daN. The measurement is carried out from the
suspension point of the riser to the canopy including the loop. The rib numbering starts in the middle of each
wing and the wing sides are seen in the direction of flight. The total line lengths determined are documented
in the inspection report and compared with the nominal line lengths of the corresponding type identification
sheet. The measurement of the opposite wing side can be carried out by a symmetry check, if the same
conditions are met. Compliance with the tolerances to be taken from the manufacturer's instructions must be
documented in the inspection report.
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Limit values (tolerance values) may deviate by a maximum of +/- 10 mm from the type identification sheet,
whereby there may be no significant trim shift due to the tolerances. The tolerances of the brake lines are +/-
10 mm deviation from the type identification sheet.
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The restrictive rule is that a fine trim must be carried out in 2 cases (the procedure must be requested from
the manufacturer):
#
if more than 50 % of the lines reach the tolerance limit, with the tolerance limit deviating only in either the
+ or - direction (all values of 5-10 mm are calculated).
#
or 25 % of the lines deviate the tolerance limits in both directions (+ or -) (Example: A/B lines are 5-10 mm
longer, while at the same time the C/D lines are 5-10 mm shorter than in the type identification sheet (trim
shift to the rear due to ageing)
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