Advance acoustic OMEGA ULS 21 User manual

OMEGA ULS
Product Manual
Version 15.03.2023

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Thank you for flying ADVANCE 1
2. Piloting requirements 1
2.1. General safety advice 1
3. Handle with Care 2
4. Getting Started 2
4.1. Delivery 2
4.2. Basic settings 3
4.3. Speed system 3
4.4. Suitable harnesses 3
4.5. Weight range 4
5. Flight characteristics 4
5.1. Takeoff 4
5.2. Normal flight 5
5.3. Turning flight 6
5.4. Active Pitch Control / B-Handles 6
5.5. Collapses 8
5.6. Rapid descents 9
5.7. Stalling 11
5.8. Landing 12
5.9. Flying with a wet paraglider (risk of deep stall) 12
5.10. Winching 13
5.11. Acrobatics 13
5.12. Tandem flying 13
5.13. Paramotoring 13
5.14. SIV 13
6. Folding & Packing 13
6.1. Storage 14
7. Maintenance 15
7.1. Glider inspection 15
7.2. Overstress 15
7.3. Paraglider repairs 15
7.4. Disposal 16
8. Service & Warranty 16
8.1. ADVANCE Service Center 16
8.2. Support (Website) 17

8.3. Online Account 17
8.4. Warranty 17
9. Technical data 17
9.1. Data 17
9.2. Materials 18
9.3. Certification 18
9.4. Folding liines 18
9.5. Light sport aircraft 19
9.6. Paraglider overview 19
9.7. Risers 19
9.8. Line plan 20
9.9. Softlinks 20
9.10. Bowline 20

1. THANK YOU FOR FLYING ADVANCE
Thank you for choosing an ADVANCE quality product with Swiss engineering.
User manual
This user manual is an important part of your product. You will find instructions for Putting into service and use in
practice as well as important information on safety, care and maintenance. We encourage you to read this
document carefully before your first flight. Video instructions can be accessed via QR codes if available. All
information can also be found on our website www.advance.swiss.
Product Registration
Register your new ADVANCE product online in your MyADVANCE account at www.advance.swiss/garantie no later
than 10 days after purchase for a warranty extension or to be informed promptly by e-mail about updates and
safety-relevant findings regarding your product. All this information can also be found on our website
www.advance.swiss.
Our story: Pioneering spirit and Swiss precision
Putting our ideas into the air. That’s what we can do. For more than 30 years, ADVANCE have kept the needs and
wishes of our pilots at the forefront. With Swiss precision we refine model after model. Highest quality and
absolute reliability have our top priority, in the air and in our customer service. So from pioneers we have become
perfectionists, and a leading worldwide comprehensive service provider.
Questions and support
You can always contact your ADVANCE dealer or our support team, we will be happy to help you. Send an email to
[email protected]
We wish you many exciting and enjoyable hours in the air with your new product!
Greetings from Thun your ADVANCE Team
2. PILOTING REQUIREMENTS
The OMEGA ULS is a high performance paraglider with EN/LTF D classification. It should be flown only by very
experienced, performance-orientated cross country or competition pilots.
To fully master the OMEGA ULS, you need a lot of flying experience in a variety of conditions, on a Sport Class
glider. An active flying technique is a must. Only under these conditions can you use the full performance potential
and fly safely.
2.1. General safety advice
1 / 21

Flying a paraglider calls for appropriate training and a sound knowledge of the subject, as well as, of course, the
necessary insurance cover and licence. A pilot must be able to correctly assess the weather conditions before
taking off. His or her capabilities must be adequate for the actual paraglider. The paraglider pilot is also required
bear a sense of responsibility towards the natural world, especially regarding the preservation of wildlife and
landscape.
Warning
Wearing an adequate helmet, suitable boots and clothing, and carrying an emergency
parachute (a ‘reserve’) are essential. Before every flight all items of equipment should be
checked for damage and airworthiness. A proper pre-takeoff check must also be carried
out.
Warning
Every pilot bears sole responsibility for all risks, including injury or death, when
participating in the sport of paragliding. Neither the manufacturer nor the seller of a
paraglider can guarantee or be held responsible for the pilot’s safety.
3. HANDLE WITH CARE
The OMEGA ULS is an ultralight paraglider. The life of this product is highly dependent on your care. Mechanical
stresses such as deep spirals, acro manoeuvers, dragging on the ground etc. accelerate the ageing process and
should be avoided. A lightweight product is much more sensitive to stress of all kinds.
SIV Overloads
We do not recommend using this lightweight product for SIV training. Excessive loading can cause non-safety-
related damage to the product, which is not covered by the ADVANCE guarantee.
4. GETTING STARTED
4.1. Delivery
Every ADVANCE paraglider has to be flown by the dealer before delivery to check for correct settings and trim.
The dealer finally enters the date of the first flight on the type placard fastened on a rib at the centre of the wing.
This entry confirms that defects in the product that can be attributed to manufacturing faults are covered by the
ADVANCE warranty. Register your new ADVANCE product in your MyADVANCE account no later than 10 days after
purchase to benefit from the extended ADVANCE warranty. More information under "Warranty".
4.1.1. Scope of delivery
The delivery of the OMEGA ULSincludes a COMPRESSBAG ULS, a repair kit, a mini-windsock and a «Getting
Started» booklet.
2 / 21

4.2. Basic settings
At delivery the basic set-up of the OMEGA ULSwill be the trim settings that the ADVANCE test team found to be
best. Certification was also gained in this condition. Any alterations or changes to the paraglider, such as altering
the line lengths or fitting different risers or quicklinks, will result in a loss of the glider’s certification.
Warning Do not modify your glider – it will no longer be certified.
Warning The brake lines can shorten after some time.
Adjusting the brake lines
Leave the OMEGA ULSin its factory settings. The brake line lengths have been set for optimal handling, as
established by our test team. The free travel of the brake lines ensures that the trailing edge remains unbraked
during takeoff and in fully accelerated flight using the B-handle controls.
Info We recommend a bowline knot for attaching the handles.
4.3. Speed system
Connect the speed bar to the risers using a Brummel hook or anchor knot. Check whether
the entire acceleration path can be used with the selected line length.
Warning
The speed system is correctly adjusted when you can use the full travel available on the
risers. Make certain that the speed lines are not set too short, thus causing the wing to be
pre-accelerated all the time!
4.4. Suitable harnesses 3 / 21

Basically the OMEGA ULS can be flown with any harness that does not have rigid cross bracing.
For the tests the following settings were used for the harnesses:
All-up in-flight weight less than 80 kg: carabiner distance 40 ± 2 cm, height 40 ± 1 cm
All-up in-flight weight 80 to 100 kg: carabiner distance 44 ± 2 cm, height 42 ± 1 cm
All-up in-flight weight more than 100 kg: carabiner distance 48 ± 2 cm, height 44 ± 1 cm
Info Experience has proved the theory – a streamlined harness can significantly improve
gliding performance.
4.5. Weight range
The OMEGA ULS comes in four sizes. The weight ranges for the different wing sizes are listed in the “Technical
Data“ section. The figures given there refer to total take-off weight. This includes the pilot’s body weight including
clothing, as well as the weight of all the equipment (paraglider, harness, instruments, etc. – everything that’s going
to fly).
Seamless Weight Ranges
The Seamless Weight Ranges of the OMEGA ULS make a clear transition from one wing size to the next, so that any
pilot suits only one ideal take-off weight range. In this way, the OMEGA ULS guarantees the optimum balance of
useful airspeed and climb performance in all flying conditions.
5. FLIGHT CHARACTERISTICS
We recommend that you make your first flights with your new glider in quiet conditions, in a familiar flying area. A
few pull-ups at an easy site will give you confidence in the OMEGA ULS’s handling qualities, from the very
beginning.
5.1. Takeoff
The OMEGA ULS takeoff behaviour is very smooth and easy for both forward and reverse takeoffs. The canopy
inflates quickly and rises progressively, without hanging back.
OMEGA ULS takeoff is achieved using the A-risers. The canopy fills reliably from the middle, and rises
exceptionally straight with little effort.
The OMEGA ULS rises exceptionally easily, so it is very important that you match your pull-up technique to the
weather conditions and the steepness of the slope. This means:
4 / 21

In a lot of wind and/or on steep ground the OMEGA ULS needs little or almost no initial tug ( just lead it up ).
In zero wind and/or on flat ground a more reasonable impulse would be sensible.
5.1.1. Connecting the Risers
The risers of your paraglider have the "Easy Connect System" compatible with ADVANCE harnesses, which helps
you to connect the risers.Each riser has coloured sewing running up the back of the riser, red for left and blue for
right, in the direction of flight. The coloured sewing facing the pilot, and the riser running cleanly upward to the
lines confirm that the riser has not been connected with an 180 degree twist.
The “Easy Connect System“ also enables you to clip in while facing the wing, This can be helpful for a reverse
takeoff in windy weather.
5.1.2. Takeoff preparation and checks
Before every takeoff carry out the following pre-takeoff checks:
1. Harness and helmet buckled, reserve OK?
2. Lines free?
3. Canopy open?
4. Wind direction and strength assessed?
5. Airspace and field-of-view clear?
Hint To get the wing in the right shape for takeoff do the following: pull the brake lines in
while you are sorting the lines until the canopy arrives at the perfect banana shape.
Warning Before each flight, check that the reserve handle is in the intended position and that the
yellow locking cables of the reserve handle are correctly stowed.
5.1.3. Takeoff in light wind (forward takeoff)
The OMEGA ULS only needs a light pull-up impulse even in a light wind. It is not necessary to step back and ‘run
into the lines’. Guide the glider up with pronounced leaning forward, but without too much of a pull on the A-risers,
until the canopy is overhead. During the pull-up phase any directional correcting should only be done by decisively
moving under the wing, without using the brakes. After any necessary corrections and a satisfactory visual check a
few determined steps with a good lean forward will achieve lift-off, even in little wind. Careful braking can shorten
the takeoff run.
Info When taking off in windless conditions, ensure that the paraglider is laid out in an arched
or even wedge shape.
5.1.4. Takeoff in stronger wind (reverse takeoff)
The reverse takeoff is mainly recommended for stronger winds, but it also works well in light wind. During the pull-
up you should walk towards the OMEGA ULS as necessary to control its rising rate.In very strong winds, a braking
impulse may be necessary to stop the canopy over your head. Turning round and taking off with the OMEGA ULS
will then prove to be easy.
Hint
Playing with the glider on flat ground in some wind gives a good feeling for the wing. You
can get to know the OMEGA ULS’s characteristics very well, and try out takeoffs, stalling,
shooting forward tendency and collapses – while remaining safely on the ground. The
ADVANCE test team have a motto: one hour’s ground training is worth 10 high flights. But
bear in mind that ground practice puts use on the glider.
5.2. Normal flight
5 / 21

In calm air the OMEGA ULS's best glide is achieved with fully released brakes. Light braking brings the glider to its
minimum sink condition. When flying into a headwind, through descending air, or when proceeding to the next
thermal, glide performance will be distinctly improved by appropriate use of the speed system.
Despite the wing’s high stability an active flying style is recommended – collapses can be almost completely
avoided. Be careful not to get below minimum speed, and don’t overreact with the brakes.
5.3. Turning flight
The OMEGA ULS has short and precise brake travel when steering. It responds very directly and progressively to
increasing steering inputs, as soon as the free travel in the brake lines has been taken up. Active weight shift
effectively assists steering. Angle of bank can always be increased, stabilised or reduced by brake line load.
The OMEGA ULS makes a very agreeable companion in thermals. You do not have to correct for large pitching
movements, and this improves your climbing behaviour – and therefore your performance – significantly. When
thermalling, choose the desired angle of bank and corresponding radius, and try to let the glider turn steadily at
this attitude. Outside brake should be used to steady the wing tip and, in particular, control the rate of turn.
Anything stronger will slow the wingtip down and lose the glider’s good steering qualities.
Warning To keep good manoeuvrability make sure to fly your OMEGA ULS with enough airspeed
while turning in thermals – not too much outside brake.
Info If a brake line breaks the OMEGA ULS can be steered by use of the B-Handles.
5.4. Active Pitch Control / B-Handles
Flying for performance
Ongoing management of your angle of attack while flying cross country improves your glide performance and
average speed massively. Even though the OMEGA ULS is very stable in pitch, it should still be actively flown,
whether accelerated or not. B-Handle steering is the most efficient method for this.
Warning In very turbulent air, release the speed bar and B-Handles and revert to conventional
active control with the brakes.
6 / 21

Using the B-Handles
The B-handles (1) allow you to make directional changes as well as angle of attack corrections in accelerated and
unaccelerated flight. When using the B-handles, make sure that the brakes are not wrapped and use controlled
movements.
Warning Do not pull on the handles too forcefully or too abruptly, as this could stall the wing.
Warning Do not apply the brakes when the OMEGA ULS is (fully) accelerated. There is a risk of a
collapse.
Info You need plenty of practice and experience to acquire effective and instinctive skills at B-
Handle control. Put the time in.
7 / 21