8
!
Are all line locks correctly screwed and the plastic inserts fastened?
!
All the panels, including the ribs and V-tapes, must be inspected for cracks.
Any damage, however inconspicuous, must be inspected and repaired by an expert. A damaged paraglider is not
airworthy!
8. Adjusting the steering lines:
The two main steering lines lead to a multiple line branching, which are fixed at the trailing edge. At the risers the
steering lines run through a guide pulley and each is connected with a handle. These control handles are
attached to the risers with two snap fasteners during transport. The steering line length is set correctly at the
manufacturer and normally does not have to be changed. The setting point is permanently marked on the main
steering line with an additional sheath. It must have at least 5 cm freewheel in flight (before the brakes take hold)
and should not be changed. The improper change of the steering line length changes the flight behaviour and
impairs the safety of the glider.
9. Flight operation:
The following pages are not intended to be a guide for paragliding. Rather, we want to introduce you to the special
features of the Airtaxi² and give you some important information for flight and safety. Other special flight manoeuvres
or configurations of the glider are not recommended.
9.1. Take-off preparations:
A careful pre-flight check must be carried out before each take-off. The risers, lines and canopy must be checked for
wear. It also must be ensured that the line links are tightly closed and secured against twisting with a plastic clip.
The harness must be put on with the greatest care. It is self-evident that the pilot is responsible for the correct putting
on of the passenger harness! After putting on all buckles have to be checked again if they are closed correctly. The
correct closure of the rescue system container and the correct fit of the rescue system handle must also be checked
(see harness manual).
If a defect is found, do not take off under any circumstances!
The Airtaxi² can best be started if it is laid out in an arch. When laying out, the canopy must be laid out against the
wind.
Separate the lines and brake lines carefully and sort the risers. All lines must be free and without entangling or knots.
There must be no lines under the canopy.
Once all preparations have been completed, the main carabiners of the tandem spreader (the tandem spreader is
usually not detached from the pilot harness) are connected to the risers. The passenger harness is only connected to
the tandem spreader when the pilot is connected to the paraglider. Make sure that the carabiners are closed.
Checklist:
Paraglider:
- Canopy without damage?
- Risers and spreader bar without damage
- Line links tightly closed?
- Lines without damage?
- all lines free and without entanglement and knots? Also brake lines?
Harness:
- Rescue system container closed?
9
- Rescue system handle correctly attached?
- all buckles and main carabiners closed (also on passenger harness)?
Take-off:
- Risers not attached twisted?
- Trimmer set symmetrically?
- Brake handle and correct riser taken up?
- Is the pilots position in the middle so that all lines are symmetrically tensioned?
- Is the wind direction okay?
- Obstacles on the ground?
- Air space free?
9.2. Take-off:
The Airtaxi² is very easy to launch. In general we recommend to use both A-risers (A and A') at the take-off.
Depending on take-off technique, wind conditions and terrain, you can use alternatively only the middle A-risers to
pull up the paraglider.
For better orientation, the different riser levels are marked in colour and text.
The pilot, who is ready for take-off, holds the A-risers and brake handles in his hands on each side and pulls the A-
lines slightly. If the take-off area is flat and there is little wind, you can alternatively take a step back towards the
canopy and pull up the paraglider with more impulse. During the take-off run, the arms are first stretched sideways to
the rear in line with the A-risers and are guided upwards as the paraglider rises.
As with all gliders, the most important thing when launching is not the force but the constancy of the tension. As the
Airtaxi² is very easy to inflate, it needs to be braked on steep take-off areas or in strong winds to avoid overtaking the
canopy.
When launching the glider backwards in strong wind, it is easy to prevent premature take-off by following the glider
while it is being pulled up. The best preparation for perfect strong wind launches is still playing on the ground for
hours in the wind.
9.3. Straight flight:
The Airtaxi² has a trim speed of 37 to 39 km/h depending on the wing load with fully released steering lines. In calm
air the Airtaxi² reaches the minimum flying speed (depending on the wing load) with about 55 to 60cm brake line pull.
In turbulent air we recommend to fly with 5 to 15 cm pulled steering lines. The current angle of attack of the canopy is
then higher and it is more difficult to undercut the air at the profile nose.
According to EN 926-2, the maximum symmetrical control travel it least 65 cm for 100 kg take-off weight and above.
We understand all indicated cm values from the point where the trailing edge is pulled down, i.e. without the
freewheel.
9.4. Accelerated flight:
The acceleration system is designed as a trimmer system on the D-riser. The angle of attack of the canopy changes
and the Airtaxi² flies approx. 6-8 km/h faster. Due to the higher speed, the paraglider is more unstable and collapses
more easily and violently.
For safety reasons you should therefore only fly in calm air and at a sufficient distance from the ground. Never let go
of the brake handles during accelerated flying!
When flying into turbulence, the acceleration system must be deactivated immediately!
If the glider collapses, the acceleration system must be deactivated immediately, then the canopy is first stabilized
by the steering lines and then reopened.
