Advance acoustic PI3 User manual

V 1.0 / 08_2020
Manual

Thank you for flying ADVANCE.................................4
PI3 – Light versatility .........................................5
One wing, many uses................................... 6
Pilot requirements ..........................................7
General advice about paragliding ..........................7
Handle with Care ..........................................10
Getting started............................................11
Delivery .............................................11
Basic settings ........................................11
Adjusting the speed system ..............................12
Suitable harnesses.....................................14
Flight characteristics .......................................16
Takeof f ..............................................16
Normal flight..........................................18
Turning ..............................................18
Accelerated flight ......................................19
Collapses ........................................... 20
Fast descents ........................................21
Stall ............................................... 23
Landing .............................................24
Flying with a wet paraglider (Risk of parachutal stall) ...........24
Winching / Paramotoring ................................25
Acrobatics ...........................................25
Tandem flying .........................................25
Packing .................................................30
Maintenance and checks....................................31
Maintenance .........................................31
Check ..............................................31
Repairs..............................................32
Repairs and disposal .......................................32
Disposal ............................................ 33
Technical details...........................................34
Materials used ....................................... 35
Certification ......................................... 36
Service .................................................38
ADVANCE Service Center .............................. 38
Product registration ................................... 38
Warranty ........................................... 39
Wing parts ...............................................40
Line plan ................................................41
Risers ..................................................42
Palstek instructions ........................................43
Softlink instructions ........................................44
Content
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Our sincere thanks for choosing an ADVANCE quality product with
Swiss engineering.
Operating Manual
This manual is an important part of this flying equipment. It pro-
vides guidance for flight and use in practice, as well as important
information about safety, care and maintenance. We encourage
you to read through the manual carefully before your first flight.
Registering the product
Register your PI 3 in your MyADVANCE Account under
www.advance.ch/warranty, to see recent updates and get safe-
ty-relevant findings about your product by email.
About ADVANCE
For more than 30 years the needs and feelings of paraglider pilots
have been at the centre of our priorities. We are pilots ourselves,
and are thus motivated to respond to the trust and confidence of
others – with new ideas, leading products, perfect service and a
unique product appearance.
Have fun
We wish you many rewarding experiences with your PI 3, and many
wonderful hours in the air!
Team ADVANCE
Thank you for flying ADVANCE
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50 kg 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 kg
27
23
25
21
19
16
THERMAL HIKE & FLY MINI WING
THERMAL HIKE & FLY MINI WING
THERMAL HIKE & FLY MINI WING
THERMAL HIKE & FLY
THERMAL HIKE & FLY MINI WING
HIKE & FLY MINI WING
Enjoy the freedom and the versatility – in the air and on the ground.
The new PI 3 is one of the lightest low-pack-volume serial wings on the
market, and, with four sizes and three specified weight ranges per size,
is also one of the most versatile paragliders currently available.
Whether for thermaling, Hike & Fly, or use as a Mini Wing, it’s you who
decide with the new PI 3.
PI3 – Light versatility
5

One wing, many uses
Each PI 3 size is subdivided into three weight ranges «Thermal», «Hike
& Fly» and «MiniWing ». These classifications are a function of wing
loading, and require different levels of piloting ability:
Thermal
In the thermaling range of up to 3.5 kg/m2 the PI 3 with its well balan-
ced canopy is easy to fly, offering maximum passive safety. In this
range the PI 3 is suitable for beginners and leisure pilots.
Hike & Fly
The Hike & Fly range – wing loading between 3.5 and 4.5 kg/m2 – is
the right choice for those who like to walk up with light equipment and
have some dynamic fun on the flight down. 19, 21, 23, 25 and 27
sizes require a safe and active flying style, as well as some
Intermediate-level experience. The PI 3 16 is a small wing and requires
Expert experience, even in the Hike & Fly Range.
Mini Wing
In the Mini Wing Range with a wing loading of 4.5 kg/m2 and up, the
PI 3 is clearly an action wing. It requires a very experienced pilot who
flies actively and can sort out wing disturbances almost before they
happen. Because of a higher flying speed and much higher descent
rate in the turn, the PI 3 as a Mini Wing, is also demanding to land.
High wing loading: the higher the wing loading the more agile
a canopy becomes, and the more demanding will be its behav-
iour in extreme situations. This principle applies even more so as
the wing itself gets smaller. In referring to the MiniWing ethos we
draw attention to PI 3 flying characteristics in this weight range,
especially when applied to the 16 and 19 size wings.
6

General advice about paragliding
Flying a paraglider calls for appropriate training and a sound knowl-
edge of the subject, as well as, of course, the necessary insurance
cover and licence. A pilot must be able to correctly assess the weath-
er conditions before taking off. His or her capabilities must be ade-
quate for the paraglider used. The paraglider pilot is also required bear
a sense of responsibility towards the natural world, especially regard-
ing the preservation of wildlife and landscape.
Wearing an adequate helmet, suitable boots and clothing, and the car-
rying of an emergency parachute 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.
Every pilot bears sole responsibility for their participation 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.
Requirements
Detailed depiction of recommended and extended weight ranges is
provided in the ‘Technical Data” section. The weight figures quoted
there apply to total in flight weight – pilot’s weight plus clothes, all the
equipment (wing, harness, reserve, instruments etc.; in fact everything
that is to go into the air).
Loading and wing size
The PI 3 has different EN/LTF classifications depending on wing size,
its three wing loading ranges, and the demands each combination
makes of its pilot.
As a general rule, flying qualities and handling become more demand-
ing at higher wing loading, and steering response is more direct. We
can also say that, for simple aeromechanical reasons, smaller wings
are more agile (move around faster) than large ones, have shorter
brake travel, and are therefore considered to be more demanding to fly
– even when flown at their lower wing loadings.
Pilot requirements
7

Beginner – EN/LTF A Certification
The PI 3 21, 23, 25 and 27 sizes have recommended takeoff weight
ranges of 65 – 85 kg (sizes 21), 75 – 95 kg (sizes 23) and 85 – 105 kg
(sizes 25) and 97 – 115 kg (sizes 27) respectively, and demonstrate
maximal passive safety. This is reflected by the EN/LTF A certification.
As such, the PI 3 makes a good school glider, suitable for beginners.
These pilots will continue to feel happy and relaxed under this qui-
et and well-balanced wing, long after they have completed the basics.
Leisure flyers will appreciate the PI 3’s comfortable handling and no-
tably good performance. The recommended takeoff weight range for
all these sizes applies to the thermal area, and here the PI 3 demon-
strates its good climb and glide abilities.
Intermediate – EN/LTF B
The PI 3 is certified EN/LTF B for the takeoff weight range of the
19 (50 – 95 kg) and the extended ranges of the 21 (85 – 100 kg),
23 (95 – 110 kg), 25 (105 – 120 kg) and 27 sizes (115 – 125 kg).
These weight ranges are intended for pilots with a competent active fly-
ing style. They can recognise and prevent collapses at their onset, or
deal with them without overreacting.
Expert – EN/LTF C
Short lines and short brake travel give the PI 3 16 an EN/LTF C over its
whole weight range (50 – 90 kg).
In these weight ranges experts are called for who fly with anticipation
and foresight, and know how to handle high flying speeds.
High wing loading: Smaller wings are generally considered to
be more agile – this applies when compared with a larger ver-
sion of the same paraglider model when flown at the same wing
loading.
Pilot requirements
8

50 kg 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 kg
27
23
25
21
19
16
INTERMEDIATE
INTERMEDIATE
INTERMEDIATE
INTERMEDIATE
INTERMEDIATE
EXPERT
BEGINNER
BEGINNER
BEGINNER
BEGINNER
EN/LTF A = Beginner EN/LTF B = Intermediate EN/LTF C = Expert
Pilot requirements
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The ADVANCE PI 3 is designed to be as light as possible for its specif-
ic 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 3 can suffer wear and damage if it is carelessly or
ignorantly used.
The PI 3 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 3’s lightweight materials. The PI 3 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
10

The PI 3 belongs to the “Light sport aircraft” category with an empty
weight of less than 120 kg.
Delivery
Every ADVANCE paraglider has to be flown by the dealer before deliv-
ery 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 cen-
tre 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 paraglider under www.advance.ch/warran-
ty, and benefit from the ADVANCE warranty for three years. See under
“Warranty” in the “Service” section.
Delivery of a PI 3 includes a LIGHTPACK rucksack, a
COMPRESSBAG, a repair kit, a mini-windsock in the wing colour and
a «Getting Started» booklet.
Basic settings
At delivery the basic set up of the PI 3 will be the original trim situa-
tion that the ADVANCE test team found to be best. Certification was
also gained in this condition. Any alterations or changes to the par-
aglider, such as altering the line lengths or fitting different risers or
quicklinks, will result in a loss of the glider’s certification. See section
«Certification».
Adjusting the brake lines
The length of the brake lines has been set at the factory so that, with
hands fully up, the trailing edge remains unbraked in accelerated
flight– ( no crease in the wing ). Basically, this setting should be kept.
If the brake line length does have to be reset there should be 8 -10 cm
(depending on the glider size) of initial free brake line movement be-
tween the brakes fully released position in unaccelerated flight, and
that point where the lines first affect the trailing edge. We recom-
mend a bowline knot for attaching the handles. See illustration in the
appendix.
Getting started
11

Adjusting the speed system
Adjust your PI 3 speed system correctly before your first flight. Make
sure that the speed lines run freely through all the pulleys in your har-
ness. Connect the speed lines to the risers with the Brummel hooks.
Finally check that your final settings allow the full accelerate travel to
be used. To do this hang the harness up, sit in it and get someone to
hold up the risers as if in flight.
Caution: 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.
Caution: Even though the PI 3 has a high degree of stability in
accelerated flight you should only use as much speedbar as you
feel comfortable with.
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Suitable harnesses
Basically the PI 3 can be flown with any harness that does not have ri-
gid cross bracing (see section “Certification“).
ADVANCE recommends the EASINESS 3 or the STRAPLESS 2 as an
ideal combination with the PI 3.
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
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15

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 3’s handling qualities, from the very
beginning.
Takeoff
Connecting the Risers
The PI 3 has an “Easy Connect System” on the risers, to simplify con-
necting the risers. Each riser has coloured sewing running up the back
of the C-riser, red for left and blue for right, in the direction of flight.
The coloured sewing facing the pilot, and the riser running cleanly up-
ward to the lines confirm that the riser has not been connected with
an 180 degree twist. For additional assistance all ADVANCE harness-
es have the same marking on their suspension loops (red to red, blue
to blue).
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.
Takeoff preparation
Before every takeoff carry out the following pre-takeoff:
1. Reserve checked: pins and cables correct, reserve handle stowed?
2. Harness and helmet secured?
3. Lines free?
4. Canopy open?
5. Wind direction and strength assessed?
6. Airspace and field-of-view clear?
PI 3 takeoff behaviour is very straightforward. The PI 3 comes up even-
ly, whether there’s little or a lot of wind, without hanging back or shoot-
ing in front. Because of its light cloth the PI 3 rises exceptionally easi-
ly, so it is very important that you modulate your pull-up impulse for the
wind and takeoff slope.
This means:
§Less impulse needed in wind and/or on a steep slope.
§A sensible and well-judged pull in zero wind and/or on a shallow
slope.
Tip: Before takeoff arrange the canopy into the correct shape.
While sorting the lines pull the wingtips towards you (just
enough) with the brake lines to achieve the ideal leading edge
curve – so that the wingtips do not inflate before the centre.
Flight characteristics
16

High wing loading: A higher wing loading means that lift-off,
minimum and flying speeds will all be noticeably higher; so, af-
ter the pull up and canopy check, you must accelerate (run) to
a higher speed before the wing can lift you off the ground. The
optimal angle of attack for lift-off is minimum sink - about 15%
brake. More brake than this (instead of enough speed) is not
ideal.
Light wind takeoff (Forward)
The PI 3 takes off in a well-behaved manner and only needs a moder-
ate pull up – even in very light wind, so it is not necessary to step back
and ‘run into the lines’. Lead the wing up with positive leaning forward,
but not much pull on the A-risers, until the canopy is happily overhead.
Any directional corrections required while the canopy is rising should
be made by moving under the wing centre – not by using brake. After
corrections and a look up at the wing a few brisk steps (while still lean-
ing forward) will have you in the air – even in light or no wind. The take-
off run can be shortened by careful use of brake (but not too much).
Takeoff in strong wind (Reverse)
The reverse takeoff is traditionally recommended for strong winds, but
is becoming increasingly useful for modern easy-rising paragliders in
moderate conditions. In strong wind control the canopy rising rate by
walking (not running – big steps instead, shoulders back) towards the
PI 3 as necessary, while maintaining body weight against the wing.
Turning round and lifting off is easy with the PI 3.
Caution: PI 3 16 and 19 sizes have shorter lines. The lighter
canopy has less far to travel as it rises, so will reach its overhead
position sooner than sizes 21, 23, 25 and 27.
17

Tip: In strong wind it is possible to arrange the complete PI 3
pull-up without holding the A-risers. Ease both brakes and brief-
ly step/lean back against the lines (and the wind) to give the ini-
tial impulse (as required). This technique leaves you with perma-
nent brake control.
Tip: Playing with the glider on flat ground in wind gives a good
feeling for the wing. You can get to know PI 3 characteristics
well, and safely investigate takeoff, stalling, pitching and col-
lapsing behaviour without your feet leaving the ground. The
ADVANCE test team have a motto: One hour’s ground training is
worth ten flights.
Handle with care: Ground practice puts extra wear on the
wing.
Normal flight
In quiet air the PI 3 glides best with fully released brakes. Light braking
slows the wing to minimum sink speed.
Despite the wing’s high level of stability, an active flying style is recom-
mended in turbulence. Collapses can then be virtually avoided. The
technique implies that the canopy always remains overhead the pi-
lot, in other words roll and pitch disturbances should be opposed and
corrected.
§When the angle of attack increases (e.g. wing goes back when en-
countering a thermal, pilot’s weight swings forward) brakes must be
released briefly but fully, until the canopy returns to its normal over-
head position.
§When wing goes forward (e.g. angle of attack reduces, pilot is left
behind) the wing must be immediately arrested with brief but strong
braking.
High wing loading: rolling activity increases with wing loading.
Tip: If the PI 3 rolls from side to side in turbulence this cycling
can be arrested by brief and symmetrical brake of ca. 20%.
Caution: Always be careful not to get below minimum flying
speed, and do not overcontrol when applying controlling brake.
Turning
The PI 3 has precise steering response. Once the free brake line trav-
el has been taken up the wing reacts directly and progressively to in-
creasing steering demands. Steering can be effectively assisted by
weight shift. Angle of bank can always be increased, steadied or re-
duced by brake line position and load.
Outside brake should be used to steady the outside wingtip and con-
trol the rate of turn.
18

High wing loading: High wing loading means high descent
rates in the turn. Very good flightpath anticipation and knowl-
edge of the terrain are essential near the ground.
High wing loading: The PI 3 dives for speed very quickly during
dynamic changes of direction. This implies that the wing picks
up speed quickly when it needs it, and this is reflected in high
rates of descent while turning.
Caution: Make sure that your PI 3 has enough speed while turn-
ing in thermals - to keep adequate ability to manoeuvre. Go easy
on the outside brake.
Tip: If a brake line should break or become detached you can
steer your PI 3 by careful use of the C-risers.
Accelerated flight
The PI 3 has a speed system, and the wing is extremely stable in ac-
celerated flight. However, at the lower angles of attack associated with
accelerated flight, paragliders are generally considered to be less sta-
ble at high speeds. The higher forces associated with higher speed
mean that accelerated collapses can be very impulsive. See also sec-
tion “Collapses”.
If you fly into strong turbulence, first completely release the speedbar
before you apply the necessary stabilising brake.
The PI 3’s good canopy stability does allow you to fly through turbu-
lence when accelerated, and to do this you must use active speed-
bar. This means adapting the speedbar position to a changing angle of
attack and pitch attitude, instead of doing this with the brakes. Pitch
changes can be kept to a minimum and best glide performance main-
tained. The following instructions assume a middling speedbar datum
position.
§If the wing goes back (e.g. angle of attack increases) push the
speedbar - briefly but positively (to push the wing towards its cor-
rect position).
§If the wing goes forward (angle of attack decreases) release the
speedbar until the wing is again overhead.
19

Caution: Even though the PI 3 has good canopy stability you
should only apply as much speedbar as you feel happy with.
Don’t overdo it.
Tip: Do not fly with brake and speedbar applied at the same
time, otherwise you will be choosing the worst possible gliding
situation, to no advantage.
Tip: For best glide always choose your airspeed taking into ac-
count current headwind, sinking air and the expected quality of
your next climb.
Collapses
Asymmetric wing collapse (on one side)
The PI 3 has a very stiff and stable canopy. Collapses are rare, espe-
cially at high wing loadings, and if an active flying style is employed col-
lapses can be almost totally avoided in normal flying conditions.
If the paraglider does experience a 50%+ side collapse at trim speed
it will react with a modest tendency to turn, and heading can be main-
tained by light countersteering. The paraglider will normally reopen
quickly, without assistance from the pilot.
It is important that you then completely release the brakes and allow the
glider to regain normal flying speed.
Badly flown wingovers can cause a wingtip to fold in from the side, and
create a cravat. The high drag of a cravat can create a strong and im-
mediate desire to turn, quickly leading to a spiral. Prevent this rotation
from developing by quickly but carefully applied opposing brake. Then
open the cravat by pulling its orange stabilo line. Opening a cravat can
also be done quickly by pumping its brake. To do this apply 75% brake
on the offending side, reaching this value within two seconds, then re-
lease it immediately.
High wing loading: Deliberately simulating collapses is discour-
aged. At high wing loading the PI 3 has a very collapse-resistant
wing, but its reactions to asymmetric wing collapse could turn
out to be dynamic.
Symmetrical collapse (Frontstall)
If the front of the wing folds, normal airflow breaks down, the wing
stops flying and the pilot swings forward – the wing appears to fall be-
hind. The pilot returns under the wing after a short delay. Wait, with-
out applying brake, until the wing is overhead and flying forward again.
After a big front collapse the reopening can be delayed; overreaction
with the brakes should be avoided, especially when controlling a surge
20

or attempting to help the glider resume normal flight in some way. Such
excessive pilot assistance risks a fullstall. Hands up when possible –
let it fly.
High wing loading: Deliberately provoked collapses are dis-
couraged. At high wing loading the PI 3 has a very collapse-re-
sistant wing, but its reactions to extreme flight situations could
turn out to be dynamic, and dealing with them difficult.
Info: If you wish to simulate a frontstall at normal wing loadings
make sure that you pull all the A lines down together. This ad-
vice applies in particular to the Standard Risers, where you must
grasp the separated big ears riser together with the main riser,
on each side.
Fast descents
The ADVANCE test team recommends big ears or the spiral dive as
fast and efficient ways of getting down.
Tip: Practise fast descents occasionally in easy conditions, so
that they do not become emergencies when needed.
Big ears (folding both wingtips)
To apply big ears pull both outer A lines down briskly at the same time.
This is achieved using the outer split A-risers (Standard Risers) or by
directly pulling the red marked outer A lines (Light Risers). This action
folds the wingtips, and you can easily hold them in place. Forward and
vertical speeds can be increased by applying speedbar in this config-
uration. Release the A lines to reopen the ears. Internal wing pressure
will then do this without further assistance.
Caution: Do not fly spirals or dynamic direction changes with
big ears applied. Raised loading carried by few lines can dam-
age the structure.
Caution: Be aware that big ears bring the wing closer to the
stalling angle of attack. Be careful with the brakes during flight
with big ears, and do not do big ears with a wet paraglider.
21