pilot manual v1.1, 19.05.
Contents Thank you... Warning About Gin Gliders Introducing the Atlas X-Alps Before you fly Flying the Atlas X-Alps Care and maintenance Final words...
Thank you... ...for choosing Gin Gliders. We are confident you’ll enjoy many rewarding experiences in the air with your GIN Atlas X-Alps. This manual contains important safety, performance and maintenance information. Read it before your first flight, keep it for reference, and please pass it on to the new owner if you ever re-sell your paraglider. Any updates to this manual, or relevant safety information, will be published on our website: www.gingliders.com.
Warning Like any extreme sport, paragliding involves unpredictable risks which may lead to injury or death. By choosing to fly, you assume the sole responsibility for those risks. You can minimize the risks by having the appropriate attitude, training and experience and by properly understanding, using and maintaining your equipment. Always seek to expand your knowledge and to develop self-reliance.
About Gin Gliders Dream In forming Gin Gliders, designer and competition pilot Gin Seok Song had one simple dream: to make the best possible paragliding equipment that pilots all over the world would love to fly— whatever their ambitions. At Gin Gliders, we bring together consultant aerodynamists, world cup pilots, engineers and paragliding school instructors, all with one goal: creating better paragliders.
Introducing the Atlas X-Alps The Atlas X-Alps is the light version of the Atlas, already one of the most popular paragliders in the easy intermediate class. The Atlas X-Alps is aimed at a broad range of intermediate pilots looking for a light and compact wing with all the benefits of our latest EPT technology. The Atlas X-Alps is suitable for regular use, travel and hike ‘n fly.
Before you fly Delivery Make sure your dealer has checked and test-flown the glider. Your glider will be delivered to you with the original trim settings which correspond to the tested configuration. Do not make any modifications, such as changing the risers or altering the line lengths. This would invalidate the certification and is potentially dangerous. Brake lines GIN test pilots have carefully tuned the brake line lengths during testing, and there should be no need to change them.
to the risers using the Brummel hooks. Perform any adjustments symmetrically while on the ground. Adjust the speed system so that the maximum speed is attained (“pulley-to-pulley” on the riser) when your legs are fully extended. Ask a friend to hold the risers in the flying position while you are seated in your harness on the ground. Harness It’s important for your comfort and safety to fly with a suitable harness that is properly adjusted.
Weight range Be sure to fly your glider within the certified weight range given in the Technical Specification section. Due to EPT technology, the Atlas X-Alps flies well at any wing loading within this weight range. It is not necessary to load the wing near the maximum for best results. Choose your optimum wing loading according to your personal preferences and the conditions you fly in. Increasing the wing loading results in a more dynamic feel, increased brake pressures and higher speeds.
Flying the Atlas X-Alps General warnings and advice Before flying with your paraglider, check the following: Are you in good physical and mental condition? Are you familiar and compliant with all applicable laws and regulations in your area? Are you within the certified weight range of your paraglider? Do you have the necessary valid insurance cover (e.g.
Preparation for launch Check the condition of your paraglider and other flying equipment before every flight. Lay out your wing on its top surface in an arc. Make sure that the centre of the wing is higher than the tips.
Is the airspace and visibility clear? Launching The Atlas X-Alps has smooth and progressive inflation characteristics with no tendency to hang back or shoot forwards. Forward launch (nil to light winds) Lean forward positively and guide the ‘A’ risers smoothly upwards in an arc, keeping your elbows bent and hands at the level of the shoulders. The Atlas X-Alps will inflate easily—there is no need to aggressively pull or push the risers.
Actively choose a spot on the ground in the landing field to aim for. Adopt an upright position in your harness by sliding your legs forward, ready to make contact with the ground. Make your final approach as straight as possible. Fly at around trim speed (keep just enough tension on the brakes to keep contact with the wing, a little more tension in turbulent air). Once you come within a metre of the ground, brake progressively to maintain a level flight path.
In-flight characteristics Normal flight “Trim speed” (brakes fully released) is the best glide speed in still air. Minimum sink speed on the Atlas X-Alps is achieved by light braking. In a normal flying position (knees parallel to the ground and your body slightly reclined), your hands should be holding the brakes at a level between your eyes and your shoulders. Use this speed for thermalling and ridge soaring. Stall speed is approached by bringing your hands towards your hips.
Active flying Practice active flying to eliminate collapses in all but the most turbulent conditions. Keep tension on the brakes approximately equal to the weight of your arms. This allows you to stay relaxed and sensitively feel the internal pressure in the wing through the brakes. If you feel a loss of pressure in one or both sides of the wing, quickly apply the appropriate brake(s) to re-gain pressure. Release the brake promptly as soon as normal pressure is resumed.
Rapid descent techniques Learn and practice the techniques in this section under qualified supervision. Big ears and spiral dives are generally the most common methods of descent. Big ears can achieve a moderate rate of descent with the advantage of forward speed and manoeuvrability. Spiral dives attain higher rates of descent, but the G-forces can be significant and the manoeuvre is more technically demanding.
To exit the spiral, check your weight is centred (or slightly towards the outside) and progressively release the inside brake. As the glider starts to exit the spiral, you may also choose to reduce the pendulum moment by briefly re-applying the inside brake. The Atlas X-Alps has no tendency to remain in a stable spiral dive under normal conditions.
Incidents in flight Asymmetric collapses Use active flying techniques to virtually eliminate collapses in normal flying conditions. Nevertheless, if you do get a collapse, stabilize your weight in your harness and do not allow yourself to fall to the collapsed side. Control your course with weightshift and a little outside brake. The deflation should re-inflate spontaneously. If the deflation does not re-inflate spontaneously, apply brake on the closed side in a smooth, progressive pumping action.
experience to perform this manoeuvre safely. Rear riser steering If, for any reason, you are unable to use the brakes to steer the glider, you can also use the rear risers. Take care to use only small inputs. Pulling the rear risers too hard may cause a stall. Flying with a wet paraglider Never fly with a wet paraglider or in the rain. Doing so increases the risk of a deep (parachutal) stall. If you do get caught out, never use big ears. Fly with the minimum of brake and head for the landing immediately.
Other modes of flight Aerobatics Your Atlas X-Alps is not intended to be used for aerobatics (acro). By engaging in such an activity, you voluntarily assume an increased risk of injury or death. Aerobatics may also cause premature ageing of the materials and in the worst case, structural failure. Wingovers (steeply backed alternating turns) Wingovers up to 90 degrees angle of bank may be performed by pilots with the appropriate training.
Care and maintenance Appropriate care and maintenance is essential both for your safety in flight and to extend the life of your glider. Excessive wear is caused by careless groundhandling, packing or storage; exposure to excessive humidity, heat, salt or chemicals; and insects or small animals. General care tips Don’t groundhandle or take-off on abrasive surfaces. To move the paraglider to another spot, don’t drag it across the ground. Pick it up and carry it.
condition by packing your glider concertina style. Pack your glider so that the plastic rods lie as flat as possible on each another and there is no unnecessary bending or twisting of the rods. Fasten any straps or bands by pulling gently—do not overtighten. We recommend the use of the GIN concertina bag. Please ask your dealer for details or refer to our website. Cleaning Remove sand, dirt or small stones from inside the canopy. Use only lukewarm water and a sponge or soft cloth to clean your glider.
For all other repairs and maintenance, please see your dealer or specialist repair shop. Replacement lines can be ordered from your GIN dealer. Check replacement lines for length against its counterpart on the other side of the wing. Always perform a test inflation on flat ground to check everything is in order before flying. WARNING: Always replace damaged lines.
When your paraglider eventually reaches the end of its useful life, dispose of it with consideration and follow any local regulations.
Final words... Most of us today live in a dependent society where we are regulated and protected. There are few opportunities for individuals to develop the self-responsibility that is the foundation of safety in extreme sports such as paragliding. Most accidents are caused by getting into situations that are too demanding for your level of experience.
Technical specification Size XS Flat surface area (m2) 23.09 Aspect ratio 5.21 Cell number 47 Glider weight* (kg) 4.2 Recommended Weight in flight* (kg) 65-85 Certified Weight in flight *(kg) 65-85 EN/LTF* B * - provisional S 25.14 5.21 47 4.5 75-95 75-100 B M 27.28 5.21 47 4.9 85-105 85-110 B L 29.51 5.21 47 5.2 95-115 95-116 B XL 31.82 5.21 47 5.
Line plan 28
Riser diagram Riser A1 Length at trim speed(cm) 50 Length at full speed(cm) 32 A2 50 32 B 50 38 C 50 50 29
Materials Canopy fabric Top surface Porcher Skytex 38 universal (leading edge), Porcher Skytex 32 universal Bottom surface Porcher Skytex 27 water repellant Main ribs/diagonals/band Porcher Skytex 32 hard finish Internal/half-ribs Porcher Skytex 27 hard finish Lines Liros DSL 70, DC60, PPSL120, 160, 200, 275 TGL 80, 145, 220, 280 Riser COUSIN Technora and Polyester 12mm Maillons COUSIN line #12999 Thread Amann & Söhne - Mill Faden150D/3 Polyester bonded 30
Brake line knot diagram 31
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