Advance acoustic SIGMA 9 User manual

Edition 1 / 05_2014User manual

Edition 1 / 03_2014

Thank you for flying ADVANCE.............................4
About ADVANCE .......................................5
SIGMA 9 – Compact Power ...............................6
Other important details ..........................7
Pilot requirements ......................................8
General advice about paragliding ..................8
Using the paraglider.....................................9
Delivery ......................................9
Basic settings .................................9
Adjusting the brake lines .........................9
Speed system with SPI .........................10
Setting up the speed system .....................11
Suitable harnesses.............................12
Weight range .................................14
Flight characteristics ...................................16
Takeof f ......................................16
Normal flight..................................17
Turning flight..................................18
Accelerated flight ..............................18
Collapses ....................................21
Rapid descents ...............................22
Stalling ......................................24
Landing .....................................26
Flying with a wet paraglider ......................28
Winching ....................................28
Acrobatics ...................................29
Maintenance, repairs and care ........................... 31
Packing .....................................31
Care and maintenance..........................31
What to do if the leading edge gets
damaged? ...................................32
Checks......................................32
Repairs......................................32
Disposal .....................................33
Technical details.......................................35
Materials SIGMA 9 .............................36
Certification ..................................37
Service .............................................38
ADVANCE Service Center .......................38
The ADVANCE website..........................38
List of parts ..........................................42
Lineplan.............................................43
Risers ..............................................44
Bowline Knot .........................................45
Contents

Congratulations on your choice of SIGMA 9- a quality product from
ADVANCE. We are sure that you will spend many rewarding hours
in the air with it.
The user manual is an important part of the glider. Here you will
find instructions and important information about safety, care of
the glider and maintenance, and that’s why we recommend that
you read this document carefully before your first flight.
The latest version of this manual as well as further updated infor-
mation can be found at www.advance.ch. Any new safety-related
information will also be published on the website. If you have any
further questions or problems please contact your dealer or get in
touch directly with ADVANCE.
We wish you a lot of enjoyment with your SIGMA 9, and always
«happy landings».
Team ADVANCE
Thank you for flying ADVANCE
4

ADVANCE is a worldwide leading paraglider manufacturer based
in Switzerland. Since its founding in 1988 the company has con-
tinued to follow its own policies and ideas in both development
and production. The result is fully-finished products with distinctive
characteristics.
The team of experts behind the ADVANCE brand share both the
pas- sion for and confidence in their ADVANCE products. At home
in the air themselves, they bring valuable personal experience and
dedication to the workplace.
Thorough checking of the production process and supervision of
the working practices in ADVANCE’s own factory in Vietnam guar-
antee high quality work. A long-standing relationship with cloth and
line manufacturers means that ADVANCE know-how finds its way
directly into the development of new materials.
ADVANCE place great importance on after-sales service, and
have a well-developed worldwide service network. A continuous
exchange of experience with customers keeps new knowledge
flowing in, which has an influence on ADVANCE products – and so
the «Circle of Service»is completed.
About ADVANCE
5

The SIGMA 9 cross country intermediate excels in its maximum
performance and precision. The distinctly compact wing conveys
a feeling of well-inflated strength, especially when accelerated, and
flying in thermally active air. The legendary SIGMA series stands for
both tradition and progress. This ninth generation is again unmista-
kable in handling and design.
Performing
High performance you can use
Comprehensive SIGMA 9 performance is the result of extensive
analysis and perfect finish. The compact setup and high stability
allow its exceptional performance to be used over the complete
polar curve, even in difficult conditions. This means that you can
make the most of the SIGMA 9’s considerable potential to deliver
rewarding flights.
Light
Advantages of reduced weight
The SIGMA 9 is the lightest of its class. At only 4.9 kg (25 size) it
gets close to being a light wing, thanks to the use of high quality
materials and sophisticated design. The SIGMA 9 can be packed
smaller, therefore easier to carry, but the reduced canopy weight
also has beneficial effects on takeoff behaviour, handling and
passive safety.
Legendary
Legendary handling
Ever since the first 1989 model the SIGMA has set the sport class
benchmark with its sporty and lively handling. The SIGMA 9 lives
up to the tradition. Turning is even more direct and precise, es-
pecially when centring a thermal at high angle of attack; and long
brake travel widens the pilot’s margin of safety.
SIGMA 9 – Compact Power
6

Other important details
The SIGMA 9 incorporates the latest technologies, such as double
3D shaping and airflow-efficient air intakes (Scoop), but the small
details have equally been given a lot of attention. Sewn-in tension
straps improve the wing’s stability, and the distinctive winglets
reduce induced drag (vortex-effect). Velcro closures at the wingtips
make it easy to remove debris like sand and snow from the glider.
The SIGMA 9 is made from high quality fabrics, and the ball bea-
rings in the speed system pulleys ensure minimal rolling resistance.
Like all ADVANCE models the SIGMA 9 has swivels on the brake
lines and different sized brake handles depending on the glider
size, with stowing magnets. Light and low-friction brake rings make
for easy-running brake lines.
7

The SIGMA 9 is a high performance intermediate that suits the
experienced thermal pilot who has, at least, already made his first
cross country flights, and who possesses a good feeling for a
glider. He has an active flying style, can recognise and prevent the
onset of trouble, and has no problem with fast descent techniques.
If these conditions are met the performance potential of this glider
can be realised, and the pilot cover the countryside feeling safe
and relaxed.
Intended use
The SIGMA 9 belongs to the «Light aerial sport device» category
with a weight of less than 120kg.
The SIGMA 9 is not certified for two-seater flying.
General advice about paragliding
Flying a paraglider calls for appropriate training and a sound know-
ledge 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 paraglider used. The paraglider pilot is also
required bear a sense of responsibility towards the natural world,
especially regarding the preservation of wildlife and landscape.
Wearing an adequate helmet, suitable boots and clothing, and the
carrying 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.
Pilot requirements
8

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 together with your
completed warranty form ensures that deficiencies in the product,
due the manufacturer, are covered by the ADVANCE warranty. See
‘Warranty’ in the «Service» section.
Delivery of a SIGMA 9 includes a COMFORTPACK 2 rucksack,
an inner bag, a compression strap, a repair kit, speedlines with
speedbar, a mini-windsock in the wing colours and a «Getting
Started» booklet.
Basic settings
At delivery the basic set up of the SIGMA 9 will be the original
trim situation 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 certi-
fication. 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 accele-
rated 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
between the brakes fully released position in unaccelerated flight,
and that point where the lines first affect the trailing edge. We re-
commend a bowline knot for attaching the handles. See illustration
in the appendix.
Using the paraglider
9

Speed system with SPI
The SIGMA 9 has a speed system with a Speed-Performance-
Indicator (SPI), which reads off against 3 positions on the backs of
the risers. The red markers on the speed system enable a precise
speed bar position to be set to suit the in-flight situation.
Best gliding to the next thermal needs an on-going choice of
speed to fly, depending on the current values of headwind, expec-
ted next climb rate, and the rate of sink.
Thanks to its high stability the SIGMA 9 can be flown in accelerated
condition in light turbulence without problem. The choice of ac-
celerated speed for best glide does play an important role for this
high performance glider.
Each of the SIGMA 9 SPI positions has an icon with a value for
headwind, expected climb and sink rate. These indicated positions
are effective for only one of their three values, taken in isolation –
considered by itself. This means that either the headwind, or the
expected rate of climb, or the sink rate applies to that position. The
SPI principle is based on the simple (using headwind and sink) and
the extended (including expected climb rate) McReady Speed-To-
Fly theory.
Example SIGMA 9 / 25
Position neutral
Position 30%
Position 80%
10