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Should I have a
partial or full inspection?
When buying or selling a wing, or if you haven’t
had your wing inspected in a long time, a
complete inspection is in order. If your
glider hasn’t been flown much in the last year, you take
very good care of it and check it regularly, a partial
inspection could be the answer. When in doubt, a complete
inspection will give you peace of mind and may save your life.
What does an inspection entail at your shop?
- Verification of the
serial number and production date
- Thorough
cleaning of the wing (usually done on a wing
hoist)
- Complete visual
inspection of the top and bottom surface of the fabric and of the
interior and cell walls
- Inspect the
condition of all seams and stitching
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Porosity test
- Rip test (to check fabric
strength)
- Inspection of each line for inner
core damage and damage to the outer sheathing
- Measure of each
line with a tension weight, comparing them to original line charts and
correcting their length
- Line break test (we break “A” main and
intermediate lines and measures line strength
with a digital sensor - more lines are tested if
the results are not favorable)
- Inspection
of the brake lines for wear, proper adjustment
and length, and attachment to the toggle (our
shop will automatically replace both brake lines
for free if the glider
is two or more years old)
- Inspection of the
risers for stretching and shrinkage, inspect all stitching, confirming the integrity
of each attachment point and inspecting the trimmers, quick-links, keepers,
pulleys, snaps, speed system and toggles
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Replacement of worn rubber O rings
Upon completion, you should
receive a written report of the inspection and all repairs with a sticker of
“certification/approval” for your paraglider.
Aging of the material
Do all wings age in the same way?
Wing manufacturers use different materials, so each fabric will
age differently. The wing has many components; the fabric,
the lines and its profile. All these have their individual
aging factors. This is why each manufacturer issues a manual
with all the pertinent characteristics and statistics of the
wing.
Are the
paraglider manufacturers responsible for this aging?
Aging
of the material is
normal and manufacturers
do their best to make the wings as resistant to
aging as possible. The reason a wing ages
prematurely is neglect, abuse and/or ignorance. These
factors may result in its safety to be compromised and its life expectancy to be cut
in half. The wing owner plays an essential role in its aging process.
What precautions should I take to optimize my glider's longevity?
Kept in the best conditions, an average wing should offer a lifespan of
approximately 500 hours. We suggest
that after 250 hours, all the main lines be
changed.
The principal
elements responsible for the premature aging of a paraglider are UV factor, mildew
/ humidity, heat or severe temperature changes.
Leaving
your wing out in the sun when not in use may shorten its lifespan. Packing
a wet wing will also shorten its lifespan considerably. One should make
sure it is stored in a dry environment, not too hot,
nor
too cold. Launch sites may be important also and a
grassy field is preferable to sand and rocky terrain. Although there is no
substitute for a certified inspection, you should visually inspect your wing
often between professional inspections.
Can you give me an estimate?
It would be impossible to give an estimate over the phone without seeing
the damage. However, if you e-mail one or more pictures of the damage,
we can usually give an approximate estimate. Otherwise you’ll need to
send us your wing and we’ll contact you with the estimate and get your
approval prior to beginning the repair.
Click here for shipping
address
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Inspection of all
seams and stitching |
Inspection of the fabric |
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Lines measurement
with tension weight |
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Porosity
test |
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Inspection
of the risers |
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Inspection of all cells |
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