Advance acoustic PI BI User manual

Edition 1 / 8_2017
user manual

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Thank you for flying ADVANCE.............................4
About ADVANCE .......................................5
The PI BI ............................................. 7
Easy for two to go flying .............................. 7
Requirements for the pilot ................................8
General advice about paragliding ......................8
Handle with care .......................................9
Usingthe paragliderfor the first time........................10
Delivery .........................................10
Lines ...........................................10
Basic set-up......................................10
Adjustment of the brake lines ......................... 11
Speed system/Trimmer ............................. 11
Big ears ......................................... 12
Fitting the light spreaders............................ 12
Suitable harnesses.................................19
Weight range ..................................... 19
Flight characteristics ...................................20
Takeof f ..........................................20
Normal flight...................................... 21
Turns ........................................... 21
Accelerated flight ..................................22
Collapses ........................................22
Fast descents ....................................24
B-Stall ..........................................26
Stall ............................................26
Landing ......................................... 27
Flying with a wet paraglider .......................... 27
Winching ........................................28
Acro ............................................28
Certification for solo flying ...........................28
Care, repairs and service life ............................. 31
Repairs..........................................33
Disposal .........................................34
Technical details.......................................35
Materials used ....................................36
Certification ......................................39
Service .............................................40
ADVANCE Service Centres ..................... 40
The ADVANCE website .............................40
Warranty ........................................40
Correct rucksack sizes .................................42
Components .........................................43
Line plan ............................................44
Risers ..............................................45
Bowline .............................................46
Installation instructions Softlink ........................... 47
Line plus riser length check ..............................48
Content
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Congratulations on your choice of a PI BI - 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 glider. Here you will find
instructions and important information about safety, care and main-
tenance, and that’s why we recommend that you read this document
carefully before your first flight
Register your PI BI online on www.advance.ch/warranty; you will then
receive product updates or safety-related bulletins about the PI BI
direct from us. This information will also be available to download from
our website at www.advance.ch, as will the latest version of this manu-
al 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 PI BI, and always «hap-
py 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 working
practices at the ADVANCE factory in Vietnam ensure a high standard
of workmanship. Long term relationships with fabric and line manufac-
turers means that ADVANCE knowledge and expertise also finds its
way directly into the development of new materials.
ADVANCE attaches great importance to after-sales customer support,
and has built up a worldwide service network for this purpose. An
on-going interaction with its customers brings in a steady flow of new
knowledge that finds its way into ADVANCE products, thus completing
the «Circle of Service».
About ADVANCE
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Easy for two to go flying
As a result of its well-engineered Lightbuild construction the PI BI
weighs only 4.8 kg. Also the packed volume of this fully-functioning
tandem matches that of a size M solo wing. These qualities make the
PI BI eminently suitable for Hike and Fly with friends and family.
The ADVANCE Light tandem is downright simple to take off, and tops
for flaring. In flight the lively agility is surprising, and this means small
circles in narrow thermals are possible. Trimmers allow a speed in-
crease of up to 6 km/h. Even takeoff preparation and packing are easy.
Like the BIBETA 6 the PI BI has three riser levels only. That makes for
fast line sorting.
The PI BI
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The PI BI is a middle EN B and its easy takeoff and good landing be-
haviour make it equally suitable for the leisure tandem pilot as for the
professional. Despite its light weight and small pack volume the PI BI is
still a fully-fledged tandem paraglider with corresponding performance.
General advice about paragliding
Flying a paraglider calls for appropriate training and a sound knowlege
of the subject, and of course the requisite insurance cover and licen-
ces. A tandem pilot must be able to correctly assess the meteorologi-
cal conditions before taking off. His or her capabilities must match the
responsibilities of tandem flying. The paraglider pilot is also required
bear a sense of responsibility towards the natural world, especially re-
garding the preservation of wildlife and landscape.
The wearing of an adequate helmet, suitable shoes and clothing of pilot
and passenger as well as carrying an emergency reserve parachute
are indispensable. All components of the equipment must be
checked
for damage and airworthiness before every flight. A thorough pre-flight
check should also be carried out.
The pilot bears sole responsibility when making a tandem flight. Neither
the manufacturer nor the seller of a paraglider can guarantee, or be
held responsible for, the safety of pilot and passenger.
Requirements for the pilot
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The ADVANCE PI 2 is designed to be as light as possible for its specific
areas of use. This places significant demands on those who use and
look after it. The owner should become very familiar with the product,
its qualities and requirements. Because of its specialised materials and
construction the PI 2 can suffer wear and damage if it is carelessly or
ignorantly used.
The PI 2 should never be dragged over the ground. Pointed and sharp
objects such as stones or twigs can damage the lines and fabric.
ADVANCE recommend that you choose your takeoff surface carefully.
Caution: ADVANCE considers it important that you are aware
of and respect the PI 2’s lightweight materials. The PI 2 will pro-
vide long-term enjoyment, but only if you look after it carefully.
Always bear the «Handle with Care» label in mind; the lifetime of
this product depends largely on your care.
Handle with care
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Using the paraglider for the first time
Delivery
Before delivery every ADVANCE paraglider has to be flown by the deal-
er and checked for correct settings and trim. When this has been done
the dealer enters the date of the first flight on the label attached to a
centre rib. This entry, together with a completed warranty card, will
ensure that defects in the product attributable to manufacturing faults
are covered by the ADVANCE warranty. See ‘Warranty’ in the section
«Service».
Within 10 days of purchasing your glider we ask you to fill in the regis-
tration form on the internet, to be found under “Warranty”.
Delivery of a PI BI includes an inner bag, a compression strap, a repair
kit, a mini-windsock in the glider colours and a «Getting Started book-
let». Available as options are a “Comfortpack 2” rucksack of 130 or 145
litre volume as well as rigid, soft or soft adjustable spreaders.
PI BI delivery includes a pair of pre-mounted light spreaders with
Edelrid FORAS carabiners, a COMPRESSBAG Light, a compres-
sion strap, a repair kit and a mini-windsock in the wing colours.
A “COMFORTPACK 3” rucksack, 100 or 115 litres, or the 90 litre
“LIGHTPACK 2”, are available as options. Under “Correct rucksack size”
you can find a compilation of the various PI BI harness and rucksack
choices.
Lines
The PI BI is mainly fitted with colour coded, exceptionally length-stable
“Magix Pro” Aramid lines from German quality manufacturer Edelrid.
The big ear and stabilo lines are also Aramid, but are covered on their
lower sections. Brake base lines are of covered Edelrid Dyneema. The
broad gauge uncovered lines need no special handling in normal use
thanks to their extensive preparation process e.g. Thermo Shield and
UV-Protec-Coating. Normal line care (e.g. storing dry, avoiding mecha-
nical abuse or unnecessary treading) is naturally also appropriate for
this product. More information about the lines on the PI BI product is
available on page 28 of this manual. Please read this carefully.
Basic set-up
The basic set-up of the PI BI at delivery is that which has been found to
be ideal by the ADVANCE test team; it is in this condition that the glider
was awarded its certification. Any unapproved changes or modifica-
tions, such as changes to the line lengths or the attachment of other
risers or quicklinks by the owner, will result in the paraglider losing its
certification (see the «Certification» section).
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Adjustment of the brake lines
The brake line length is set at the factory so that the trailing edge is un-
braked (crease-free) in fully accelerated flight with brakes fully released.
Fundamentally this setting should be kept.
If the brake lines have to be reset there must be approx. 6–8 cm free line
movement (at the rings) between brakes fully released and that brake
position that first affects the trailing edge in unaccelerated flight. We re-
commend that the brake handles are secured using a bowline knot (see
illustration in the appendix page 36).
Speed system/Trimmer
The PI BI has an accelerate system in the form of trim . It is very ef-
fective and easy to use. It provides for a significant increase in speed of
ca. 6 km/h.
The PI BI accelerate system is not only intended to provide a better per-
formance reserve for dealing with strong winds (e.g. slope soaring, strong
valley winds), but it also increases the glider’s general user-friendliness,
mainly when carrying light passengers. In addition, when used with big
ears the trim improves the most agreeable way of getting down if passen-
ger well-being requires it (see also section «Fast Descent»).
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In accelerated ight the rear risers are lengthened and this reduces the
angle of attack of the wing. The accelerate system on the PI BI is so de-
signed that the wing prole remains the same in accelerated ight (re-
duced angle of attack). This keeps the best wing shape at higher speeds.
The trimmers do not initial adjustment. Just make sure that they are
closed before takeoff (neutral position i.e. unaccelerated). To open them
in the air press both spring clips on the back of the risers at the same
time. You can set any trim position as you wish using these clips. They
will not slip even under extreme load. To close the trimmers pull the tapes
down as far as possible using the blue loops .
Caution: Keep the trimmer settings symmetrical.
Caution: When the trimmers are open the brake handles will
be in a noticeably higher position than in unaccelerated (normal)
flight.
Big ears
The PI BI has split A-risers , which make the application of big ears
easy.
Fitting the light spreaders
Because it doesn’t make much sense to combine a light tandem with
heavy spreaders the PI BI is routinely delivered with light spreaders.
These can be connected to the PI BI either with the supplied Edelrid
FORAS carabiners or looped directly to the PI BI risers. With both
connection methods the pilot also has the choice of using the light
spreaders with reserve connection lines, or – to save more weight –
flying the PI BI without reserve connection lines or reserve.
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The PI BI is delivered in its standard version with light spreaders
connected by the Edelrid FORAS carabiners, including pre-mounted,
neatly routed reserve connection lines.
Fitting the FORAS carabiners
If you have been using a different PI BI / spreader arrangement and
now wish to restore the standard version proceed as follows:
First fasten the FORAS carabiners to the PI BI risers as shown
Pilot
Passenger
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Then fix a spreader to the end of a closed carabiner with an anchor
hitch (kite knot).
To end up with a tidy anchor hitch first take the single, support loop of
the spreader and roll it inside out.
Then lead this loop through the closed carabiner in the downwards di-
rection (spoon side up), and thread passenger and pilot ends through
the loop as shown. It is then important to pull this connection tight.
Caution: It is essential that the spreaders attach to the FORAS
carabiners with anchor hitches. Never hook the spreader loop
directly in the carabiners: the spreaders would then be too long!
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If you want to use the PI BI with a reserve, the reserve connection lines
must themselves be attached to the end of the spreader main support
loops with an anchor hitch; even though these have their own anchor
attachments to the FORAS carabiners.
First thread the reserve connection line loop upwards through the end
of the spreader loop on its carabiner. Then lead the other end of the
reserve line up through this loop to make the anchor hitch: pull down
and tighten both anchor hitches
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Attaching without FORAS carabiners (direct looping)
To save weight the light spreaders can be connected directly to the PI
BI risers.
For a neat anchor hitch the spreader single support loop must again
first be turned inside out (as shown).
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Then lead this loop through the PI BI riser loop.
Now run the pilot and passenger spreader ends through the spreader
support loop and pull tight. Done!
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If you want to fly the PI BI with a reserve in this configuration you now
have to anchor hitch the reserve connection line to both PI BI riser loop
and spreader support. Proceed as follows:
Turn the upper end loop of the reserve line inside out (as for spreader
loop). Lead it through the PI BI riser loop, then up through the spreader
support loop (already part of an anchor hitch).
Now thread the lower end of the reserve connection through its top
loop and pull tight.
Caution: When using this direct connection method for light
spreaders and PI BI, the reserve connection anchor hitch MUST
go through the PI BI riser loop AND the spreader support loop!
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Suitable harnesses
The ADVANCE PI BI is certified for harnesses in Group GH (without rigid
cross-bracing - see section «Certification»). The suspension points of
the chosen harness should ideally have a carabiner distance of approx-
imately 45 cm (equivalent to your shoulder width) and a height of 40 to
48 cm.
The PI BI is neither suitable nor certified for use with harnesses in group
GX (with effective cross-bracing). The use of such harnesses can have a
bad effect on both handling and extreme flight characteristics.
The PI BI was tested and certified with a size M BIPRO 2 harness (cara-
biner height 44 cm, chest strap width 55 cm). An EASINESS 2 harness,
size M (carabiner height 45 cm) was used for the passenger.
Weight range
PI BI weight ranges for 38 and 41 sizes are given in the «Technical Data»
section. The weights quoted are total in-flight weight. This includes the
body weights of pilot and passenger including their clothes- and ever-
ything else that is to fly (paraglider, harnesses, reserve, instruments etc.).
Flying at lower or upper weight limits can influence the flying characte-
ristics and handling of the paraglider, but does not affect safety. When
the PI BI is flown in the upper part of its weight range the higher wing
loading results in a higher trim speed, which results in more agile and
dynamic behaviour, and a longer takeoff run.
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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 PI BI’s handling qualities, from the very
beginning.
Takeoff
Takeoff preparation
Sorting PI BI lines is especially simple. A brief shake will separate the
three riser levels’ few lines. Colour coded A and brake lines make for
very effective final line checking.
Before every takeoff carry out the following pre-takeoff checks:
1. Reserve OK: Pins correctly stowed, Reserve handle secure?
2. Harnesses and helmets done up?
3. Pilot-glider-passenger connections OK?
4. Lines free?
5. Canopy open?
6. Wind direction and strength assessed?
7. Airspace and view clear?
8. Passenger ready?
PI BI takeoff behaviour is very smooth and straightforward for both for-
ward and backward launches. Nylon wires and light weight ensure that
the canopy fills quickly and climbs evenly, without hanging or shooting
ahead.
The PI BI is pulled up using both the inner, wide A-risers. This takes
less effort, and the wing will come up very straight. The canopy should
always be laid out in a slightly curved shape, so that all A-lines are
equally loaded during the pull up.
Tip: To get the PI BI in just the right curved shape for takeoff
stand abeam the centre of each wing after you have sorted the
lines; take the brake line and pull it in until all the brake junctions
are tensioned.
Light Wind Takeoff (Forwards)
The PI BI only needs a modest tug in a light wind. It is not necessary
to step back and then ‘run’ into the lines. Lead the glider up with com-
mitted and forward-leaning body weight, but without too much pull on
the inner A-risers, until the canopy is nicely above you. Any directional
correcting during the pull-up phase should be done by going under the
glider, without use of brake. After the correction phase and a look at
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