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How
to Preflight the Paraglider
At
the beginning of each flying day, you need to carefully
inspect your glider and harness. In any form of flying,
you never include assumptions in your checks. The checks
are done to ensure your safety and ensure that the paraglider
is ready for flight.
The
preflight of the paraglider wing is not the same as
a reverse
harness connection preflight. Every time you launch
you need to do the harness connection checks. During
a training session, the wing is preflighted at the start
of the session or when something occurs that may have
damaged the paraglider.
I
break down the preflight routine into 4 sections:
-
Spread
the paraglider out in the normal fashion (on its
back with lines upwind) for launching, but if
there is light wind, you need not yet build the
arch (you will do this as part of the preflight).
If there is wind, you can build a wall to help
clear the lines and make sure the stacking of
the risers is correct. If there is light or no
wind, organize the risers so that they A risers
are on top and not twisted between line and the
carabiner. In the final phase, when everything
is better sorted, you will check your riser stacking.
-
Next,
circle the paraglider and inspect the wing for
any signs of damage
-
Rips
or and damage to seams or line attachment points
-
If
the wing was not already built into a wall,
you will arch the wing as you inspect the leading
edge. As you arch the wing, lift and inspect
the fabric at the curve area that is the leading
edge. This area is where the highest stress
is during flight.
-
As
you go through this phase you can continue to
look for any cut lines or lines with fraying.
- The
final checks are the hardware connections at the
paraglider's risers.
- Begin
by checking the layering of the risers.
At the beginning, you just made sure that
the A risers were on top. Now that the lines
have been organized a bit, it will be easier
to see that the risers are stacked correctly
(As on top, next Bs, then Cs, Ds and Brake
Lines)
- Next,
check each of the quick links.
Make sure the gates are at least hand tight
and that the line keepers are in place.
- Look
at the stitching of the risers
and make sure all looks sound.
- Inspect
the brake lines and pulleys.
Make sure that the brake lines are not getting
worn out and that the pulleys are functioning
properly.
If
you find anything in any of the above checks you should
repair prior to flying. A slightly frayed line sheathing
might not be enough to prevent you from flying or training
that day, but get it fixed as soon as possible. Fabric
tears, seam problems or any hardware issue should be repaired
prior to flying. If any issue comes along that you are
not sure of, consult your instructor or local paragliding
pro. |
