Advance acoustic LIGHTNESS 3 User manual

Edition 1 / 09_2018Betriebshandbuch

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Contents
Thank you for flying ADVANCE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
About ADVANCE ...........................................5
LIGHTNESS 3 – Ready to Transit...............................6
Features LIGHTNESS3 ......................................7
Protectors at a glance ...................................9
Features LIGHTPACK 3 .....................................10
Safety Advice .............................................11
General recommendations about
paragliding ...........................................11
Handle with Care ..........................................12
Preparing the product ......................................13
Delivery .............................................13
Delivery package ......................................13
Harness adjustment ....................................14
Setting the speed system................................18
Closing the speeebag ..................................18
Cockpit and Instrument panel ............................20
Additional stowage.....................................21
Fitting the optional Windshield ............................21
Sensible details .......................................22
Shoulder attachments ..................................22
Pocket and holder for drink systems .......................22
Relief tube routeing ....................................23
Fitting the Step-in Aid...................................24
Replacing parts .......................................25
Installing the reserve....................................30
Compatibility test ......................................38
Use in Practice............................................40
General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Clipping in ...........................................40
Takeoff preparation and check............................40
Using the speedbag ....................................40
Using the speed loop ...................................41
Flying with Ballast......................................41
Use for school training ..................................41
Winching ............................................41
Acro ................................................42
Tandem flying .........................................42
Paraglider compatibility .................................42
Landing in water.......................................42
Packing the LIGHTPACK 3...............................43
Hiking with the LIGHTPACK 3 ............................44
Care, check & repair .......................................45
Care and maintenance ..................................45
Foam protector........................................46
Check...............................................46
Repairs..............................................46
Disposal .............................................47
Technical Data ............................................48
Material description ....................................49
Certification ..........................................50
Service..................................................51
ADVANCE Service Centres .........................51
The ADVANCE website .................................51
Product registration ....................................51
Warranty.............................................52
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Congratulations on your choice of an LIGHTNESS 3 – a quality product
from ADVANCE. We hope that you will spend many rewarding hours in
the air with it.
This user manual is an important part of the harness. Here you will nd
instructions and important information about safety, care and main-
tenance, and that’s why we recommend that you read this document
carefully before your rst ight.
Register your LIGHTNESS 3 online on www.advance.ch/warranty; you
will then receive product updates or safety-related bulletins about the
LIGHTNESS 3 direct from us. This information will also be available to
download from our website at www.advance.ch, as will the latest ver-
sion of this manual and further updated information.
If you have any further questions or problems please contact your
dealer or get in touch directly with ADVANCE.
Now we wish you a lot of enjoyment with your LIGHTNESS 3, and al-
ways «happy landings».
Team ADVANCE
Thank you for flying ADVANCE
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ADVANCE, based in Switzerland, is one of the world’s leading para-
glider manufacturers. Since it was founded in 1988, the company has
consistently pursued its own directions and concepts, both in develop-
ment and production. The results are quality products with distinctive
characteristics.
Behind the ADVANCE brand name is a team of specialists who share
the passion and trust in the company’s products. At home in the air
themselves, they contribute their valuable personal experience and
dedication to the working processes.
Total control of the production process and supervision of the work-
ing practices at the ADVANCE factory in Vietnam ensure a high stand-
ard of workmanship. Long term relationships with fabric and line man-
ufacturers means that ADVANCE knowledge and expertise also nds
its way directly into the development of new materials.
ADVANCE attaches great importance to after-sales customer sup-
port, and has built up a worldwide service network for this purpose. An
on-going interaction with its customers brings in a steady ow of new
knowledge that nds its way into ADVANCE products, thus completing
the «Circle of Service».
About ADVANCE
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The new LIGHTNESS 3 offers comprehensive comfort both in ight
and handling, and there’s even more protection. A new choice of stan-
dard or light speedbag results in a wider range of uses; there’s also the
option of a windshield, which signicantly raises ying comfort on long
distance ights..
All-embracing comfort
Redesigned suspension and chest strap geometry distinguishes the
LIGHTNESS 3 by its excellent comfort in ight – especially when acce-
lerated – and high stability. The seat shell ts every pilot’s body perfec-
tly, and protects it where necessary. Dealing with the harness on the
ground, e.g. speedbag adjustment, is entirely straightforward..
Modular System
The new options and conguration choices make this third generation
of LIGHTNESS modular and exible as never before. Considering pre-
pared weight alone, the possible variance of the S size (2.75 kg up to
3.37 kg) suggests a large range of use – for example a several day bi-
vouac expedition or, perhaps, a new cross country record.
Useful Details
The LIGHTNESS 3 incorporates a number of important details, inclu-
ding SAS-TEC back protection, ample back pocket, drink pouch hol-
der, optional speedbag access line, relief tube channel, cockpit power
cable access and loops for xing to the chest strap, and easy-to-move
setting balls for adjusting the Standard speedbag length.
LIGHTNESS 3 – Ready to Transit
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Side view
1 Edelrid ALIAS alu carabiners
2 Recline angle adjustment (Back strap)
3 Shoulder strap adjuster
4 Drink tube guide
5 Shoulder harness velcros
6 Drink Tube opening
7 Inner pocket for drink system
8 Reserve V-connection channel with zip
9 Easy-release reserve system
Features LIGHTNESS3
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Front view
10 Additional stowage
11 Mesh back section on the back
12 Air-lled neck spoiler
13 Air intake for neck spoiler
14 Relief tube exit
15 Small chest strap
16 Optional Windshield for standard speedbag
17 Carbon footplate
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Protectors at a glance
The LIGHTNESS 3 has an LTF (91/09) certied foam protector and vis-
co-elastic soft foam along the back section up to the neck vertebrae.
This visco-elastic back protection from the German SAS-TEC company
attenuates impacts. Our familiar comfort foam, as used since the rst
generation LIGHTNESS, lies on top. The main protector, SAS-TEC ele-
ment and comfort foam can be removed and replaced without prob-
lem. See also section “Exchanging parts”
1 Certied Foam Protector
2 SAS-TEC Back Protection
3 Folding crease for easy packing
4 Comfort Foam
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Features LIGHTPACK 3
1 Circumferential zip
2 Rucksack handle
3 Ergonomically shaped, adjustable shoulder straps
4 Large stretch side pocket
5 Wrist loop
6 Netting pocket
7 Elasticated waist strap pocket
8 Elasticated side pocket
9 Waist strap pocket with zip
10 Ergonomic waist strap
11 Ergonomic mesh back support
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Like all commercially available reserve parachutes, paraglider harnes-
ses are never suitable for free fall parachuting because their design
and construction details do not allow such a thing. Neither the reser-
ve parachute nor its attachments to the harness can withstand the loa-
dings involved in an abrupt opening.
All harness adjustments should be made before the harness is own.
Correct adjustment of the LIGHTNESS 3 greatly contributes to safety,
correct function and comfort in ight.
No protector can provide total protection from injury. The EN/LTF cer-
tied foam protector only damps the effects of impacts, and so can re-
duce the severity of injuries that may be caused by takeoffs and lan-
dings that go wrong. The SAS-TEC back guard softens blows to the
back.
During safety training over water one should take note that the air in a
foam protector will try to oat in water, and may tip the pilot in a head
down attitude. Then there’s the risk that foam parts will eventually ll
with water and sink, with the pilot.
LIGHTNESS 3 certication is restricted exclusively to paraglider sport.
General recommendations about
paragliding
Taking part in paragliding sport requires appropriate training and a
comprehensive knowledge of the equipment, as well as the neces-
sary insurance and licences. A pilot must be able to correctly assess
the weather conditions at the chosen site before taking off. His abilities
must be sufcient for the demands of the selected paraglider. When
carrying out paragliding the pilot must also take responsibility for his
care of the natural world and the landscape.
The wearing of an adequate helmet, suitable footwear and clothing,
and the carriage of a reserve parachute are all essential. Before every
ight all items of equipment must be checked for damage and airwort-
hiness. A pre-takeoff check must always be carried out.
While engaged in paragliding every pilot bears sole responsibility for all
risks, including those resulting in injury and death. Neither the manu-
facturer nor the seller of a paraglider can guarantee the safety of a pi-
lot, or be held responsible for it.
Safety Advice
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ADVANCE LIGHTNESS 3 products are extremely lightly built and inten-
ded for specialised use. This puts particularly high demands on their
handling and care. A committed interest in the products and their cha-
racteristics is essential. Because of the choice of materials and cons-
truction rucksack and harness are much more vulnerable to wear and
tear from improper use than regular ADVANCE products.
LIGHTNESS 3 products should never be dragged over the ground. All
the zips are for light use only; they should never be closed under heavy
loading. Pointed and sharp objects do not belong in the harness back
compartment, underseat stowage, speedbag side pockets, or the
rucksack; they can damage the fabric. When accelerating make su-
re the feet stay in the centre of the speedbag or centred on the carbon
footboard, and do not press into the speedbag oor or sides – where
they will cause undesired friction and wear.
Caution: ADVANCE considers it important that you remain awa-
re of the lightweight fabrics in the LIGHTNESS products. You
can enjoy the harness and rucksack for a long time – but on-
ly if you look after them carefully. The label ‘Handle with Care’ is
there to remind you that the lifespan of these products depends
very much on your own care and attention.
Handle with Care
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Delivery
Before delivery every ADVANCE product has to be checked by the de-
aler for delivery package contents and correct initial settings. A com-
pleted warranty form makes sure that deciencies of the product, at-
tributable to the manufacturer, are covered by the ADVANCE warranty
(see under “Warranty” in the section” Service”).
We ask you to complete this form on the ADVANCE website under
“Warranty”, within 10 days of purchase.
Delivery package
LIGHTNESS 3 delivery includes
§Harness with Standard or Light speedbag, incl. carbon footboard
and integrated cockpit
§Detachable instrument board with Standard speedbag
§Step-in aid with Light speedbag
§EN/LTF certied foam protector under the seat area
§SAS-TEC back guard
§Comfort foam for the back
§2 Edelrid ALIAS carabiners
§Reserve connection lines, reserve handle attached to four-ap inner
container
§LIGHTPACK 3
§COMPRESSBAG
§Speed system
§“Getting Started” Booklet
Optional Extras:
§Detachable Windshield, only compatible with Standard speedbag
§Step-in aid for Standard speedbag
§Radio pocket for shoulder harness
Preparing the product
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Harness adjustment
General
Individual LIGHTNESS 3 set up is easy, even though there are many
adjustment possibilities. As is generally required for reclining harnes-
ses, you should take some time over initial adjustments, and repeat
and rene after ight – as necessary.
Follow the following step-by-step instructions for a bespoke-tting har-
ness. They take into account all the important criteria such as upper
body support, pressure distribution, speedbag length and the most ef-
cient speedbag angle in ight.
All the buckles can be adjusted in ight. All other (non-buckle) settings
can only be done on the ground. ADVANCE recommend that you ta-
ke the time to have a good look at the whole system before your rst
ight in the harness. A rst test ight should be done in quiet weather
conditions.
Info: For a realistic adjustment process the back pocket should
be packed as for ight. This advice includes your reserve in its
correct place .
Caution: Small changes have a big effect on all harness ad-
justment. Approach your own perfect t in small steps, and the
same both sides. Left/right differences will have a bad effect on
your glider’s desire to y straight.
Choice of Speedbag size
Speedbag material stretches and most pilots are happy with the spee-
dbag that comes with their harness size (S, M, L). But there are cases
(e.g. especially long or short legs) where a harness is better combined
with a different sized speeedbag.
Caution: If you change a speedbag you must always use the
length lines that belong to the new one.
Caution: In the pilot height (S/M, M/L) overlap areas (165 cm–
172 cm and 178 cm–183 cm) ADVANCE recommend that you
should try both crossover speedbag sizes.
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1 Your basic settings
All adjustments have markings for their basic setting. Always start
from these standard measurements when nding your own ideal po-
sition. Grey sewing indicates a basic setting for harness straps,
and black pen marks indicate standard speedbag line lengths. All
LIGHTNESS 3s are delivered at these basic settings.
First check that harness straps and speedbag lines are at their basic
setting marks. Harness pull-loop bases should line up with the grey se-
wing on the webbing, and speed bag length (lines to the footboard)
knots sit between the black marks (see pics. rt.). If necessary, correct
these positions before you start your own adjusting.
Put the LIGHTNESS 3 on, close the chest and leg straps with the
two-buckle clips, fasten the Closure Remember System and the
speedbag/cockpit and hang the harness in a harness stand by its
carabiners.
Tip: The harness stand support lines should approximately re-
present glider riser geometry.
Harness straps
Basic setting
Standard speedbag lines
Basic settings
Light speedbag lines
Basic settings
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2 Speedbag adjustment
Correct speedbag length is essential, because the xed foot posi-
tion sets the pilot’s centre of gravity position relative to the carabi-
ners, and thus the speedbag ying attitude. For minimum drag the
underside of the speedbag should be horizontal in ight. To set this
critical heel length rst completely loosen the upper blue speedbag
lines . Then set the middle grey lines to achieve the correct
heel (bottom of footboard) position. Heels too low – shorten: heels
too high - lengthen. Approach this position in max 2 cm steps
(equal both sides). Then shorten the upper blue footboard lines
(toes) to nd a comfortable angle for the feet. Finally adjust the
lower blue lines so that they are under light tension when the
feet comfortably load the footboard.
3 Setting upper body angle
Set your back-recline angle with the back straps . Then you
can pull in/ loosen the shoulder straps to suit your desired de-
gree of support – loose, or light contact: not too tight.
4 Fine adjustments
The lower back straps set your lower back (lumbar) support. It
also helps you nd a better position if the underside of the spee-
dbag is not yet horizontal. You can increase seat surface support
with the thigh straps by pulling them in for light leg support.
5 Chest strap adjustment
The chest strap sets the distance between the main support
points (carabiners). The chest strap is closed by the 2-Buckle-
System and completes the Safe-T-System. ADVANCE recommend
a loose to lightly-loaded setting (approx. shoulder-width carabiner
distance).
6 The wider this distance the more agile is the pilot/glider relations-
hip, both in roll feedback to the pilot and pilot ability to weight-steer.
A narrower setting creates a quieter and more damped feeling
from the wing. This adjustment range is large. Agility can be set to
any position in ight to suit the conditions – as the pilot wishes.
Tip: The most important factor for chest strap adjustment is that
the pilot feels happy in the harness
7 Mini chest strap setting
The mini chest strap holds the shoulder straps in place for ta-
keoff and landing. Width can be set as required.
8 Final settings check
Check the horizontal speedbag attitude again - best observed by
a third party or in a big mirror. Make sure that the front edge of the
seat does not press into the backs of the knees. If it does, loosen
the thigh strap; but do to hesitate to repeat all or any of the adjust-
ment procedure as often as necessary.
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Setting the speed system
The LIGHTNESS 3 comes with speed system ready-tted. The
speed loop is attached at the carbon footboard by bungee. This atta-
ches to the centre footboard loop as standard, but can be mounted
left or right as desired for loop pickup.
Connect the LIGHTNESS 3 speed lines to your paraglider using
Brummel hooks or kite loops (anchor hitch). Set the speed loop
lengths by moving the positions of the knots inside the speedbag and
tighten the kite loops at this position (same both sides). The speed
system is correctly adjusted when you can use both speed loops, and
have the total accelerate range available. Make sure the setting is not
too short - an error which would cause the wing to be permanently
accelerated.
Caution: Your paraglider must not be accelerated by an arti-
cial trimspeed i.e. with hands and feet up! If this is the case
your speed system is set TOO SHORT, and must denitely be
lengthened.
Closing the speeebag
The LIGHTNESS 3 speedbag is closed by the Closure Remember
System (CRS). This safety device is directly attached to the chest/
leg straps, and alerts the pilot to the status of the leg straps when the
speedbag top is closed. Lead red loop #1 through #2 and #3 metal
eyelets and x it on the black ball (Step 1).
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Then lay the speedbag sides left over right, and x the left side loop
over another black ball on the red line from the right hand speedbag
carabiner loop (Step 2).
Caution: Always close the chest strap rst, then the Closure
Remember System and nally the speedbag. Recheck before
every takeoff – especially after a failed attempt – with a solid tug
at the chest strap, to conrm that both at-buckles are correc-
tly closed. An open chest strap can cause you to fall out of the
harness!
Caution: Always check that ALL buckles and loops are correc-
tly closed!
Step 2Step 1: Closure Remember
System (CRS)
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At delivery the cockpit pocket has a foam blank inside. This holds the
cockpit steady and/or keeps its shape as a spoiler. The blank can be
removed and the space used for personal essentials.
Cockpit and Instrument panel
A cockpit is built in to both Standard and Light speedbags. The
cockpit is closed by a zip which makes an extra pocket for spare bat-
teries. A cable can be run through a hole at the back of the cockpit
direct to ight instruments on top.
The Standard speedbag also comes with a detachable cockpit panel
. To save weight the Light speedbag does not have detachable pa-
nel. This can be obtained separately.
The detachable panel holds ight instruments (GPS, Vario, Smartphone
etc.). There is a click buckle at the after edge , that can be clicked
to the chest strap after closing the speedbag. This holds the cockpit in
a good position during takeoff, and allows the pilot plenty of leg room
for the takeoff run.
Fastening the cockpit panel on the cockpit. There are a number of ta-
pe loops for securing electronic items. The panel itself can be secured
to the cockpit loop proper.
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