Setting up the TWIN RS 2 and first-flying
Section 04
15
Factory settings
Correctly installed brake lines have about 10cm
of feed. This is how far you must pull down the
brakes before the trailing edge of the paraglider
starts to move downwards and begins to brake.
Note that the brake cascades already cause
drag by their aerodynamic resistance.
The factory setting for the TWIN RS 2 is
intended to allow optimum handling. It is
therefore generally not necessary to make any
adjustment to the length.
However, if required, the brake setting can be
altered
according
to
your
particular
preferences.
It can on occasions be worthwhile to make the
brakes longer compared to the factory setting,
particularly for teaching, launching on the flat or
winch launching.
If you do adjust the brakes, under no
circumstances should you go above or below
the tolerance levels for the TWIN RS 2 given in
the Maintenance and Service book.
Incorrect adjustment
WARNING
If the brake lines are too short, the following
risks could arise:
there could be an early stall
the paraglider does not launch well and
there is a risk of deep stall
the
paraglider
exhibits
dangerous
behaviour in extreme flying
the trailing edge of the paraglider is braked
in accelerated flight which, in an extreme
case, could cause a frontal collapse
Environmental conditions can also lead to
the brake lines shortening.
You should therefore check brake line length
regularly, particularly if there is any change
in launch or flight behaviour.
If the brake lines are too long, the paraglider
reacts slowly and is difficult to land. The brake
lines can be adjusted during flight by wrapping
them around your hands which will improve the
flight characteristics. Adjust the brake lines to
the correct length after you have landed.
Changes to the braking distance should always
be made in small increments of no more than 2
to 3cm and must be tested on a training slope.
The left and right brakes must be adjusted
symmetrically.
If the brakes are shortened, care must be taken
that the paraglider is not slowed down in trim
and accelerated flight because of the brake
lines being too short. Safety issues may arise
and performance and launch behaviour may
deteriorate if the brake lines are shortened too
much.
Brake knots
WARNING
Loose, unsuitable or incorrectly tied brake
line knots can cause the main brake line to
loosen and then lead to loss of control of the
glider.
Ensure that only overhand or bowline knots
are used and that they are tied correctly.
The overhand knot and bowline knot shown
below are the most suitable for connecting the
brake line to the brake handle.
Fig. 4
Overhand knot
