Advance acoustic WEIGHTLESS User manual

PRODUCT MANUAL -
WEIGHTLESS
Product Manual
Version

1. Thank you for flying ADVANCE 1
2. Safety information 1
2.1. General safety advice 1
2.2. Range of use and load limits 2
3. Handle with Care 2
4. Features 3
4.1. Features 3
4.2. Cockpit 4
4.3. Pockets & Compartments 4
4.4. LIGHTPACK ULS 5
4.5. Two-part protector 6
5. Preparing the product 7
5.1. Delivery 7
5.2. Installing a reserve 8
5.3. Adjusting the harness 20
6. Preparation for flight 31
6.1. Setting up the drink system 31
6.2. Relief tube routing 32
6.3. Installing the protector 33
6.4. Pack the back compartment 44
6.5. Closing the harness 44
6.6. Clipping in the paraglider 50
6.7. Takeoff preparation and checks 51
7. Use in Practice 51
7.1. Paraglider models of other brands 51
7.2. Winching 51
7.3. Acro 52
7.4. Tandem flying 52
7.5. Use in the school environment 52
7.6. Using the Windshield 52
7.7. Speedbag Handling 52
7.8. Speed system handling 53
7.9. Packing the equipment 53
7.10. Emergencies 55
8. Maintenance 59
8.1. Maintenance harness 59

8.2. Foam protector 60
8.3. Check harness 60
8.4. Carabiner service life 60
8.5. Overstress 61
8.6. Repairs harness 61
8.7. Removing & replacing components 61
8.8. Disposal 64
9. Technical Data 64
10. Materials 65

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. SAFETY INFORMATION
2.1. General safety advice
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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.
2.2. Range of use and load limits
Like all commercially available reserve parachutes, paraglider harnesses are never suitable for free fall parachuting
because their design and construction details do not allow such a thing. Neither the reserve parachute nor its
attachments to the harness can withstand the loadings involved in an abrupt opening.
All harness adjustments must be made before the harness is flown. Correct adjustment of the WEIGHTLESS greatly
contributes to safety, correct function and comfort in flight.
Warning
No protector can offer complete protection against injury. The EN/LTF certified protector
can only absorb some of the energy of impacts and therefore minimise injuries that might
result from unlucky takeoffs and landings.
Warning The WEIGHTLESS certification up to 120 kg is restricted exclusively to paraglider sport.
3. HANDLE WITH CARE
The WEIGHTLESS is an ultralight harness. The life of this product is highly dependent on your care. Mechanical
stresses such as 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
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Do not use 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.
Warning
We strongly advise against making a rescuer deployment with the WEIGHTLESS on the
occasion of a safety induction training (SIV). After a rescuer release, non-safety related
damage to the harness may occur which is not covered by the ADVANCE warranty.
Warning The harness must be inspected by a qualified person after each rescue descent!
4. FEATURES
4.1. Features
1. GRIVEL Plume Carabiners
2. Drink tube opening
3. Reserve bridle channel with zip
4. Two side pockets
5. Detachable Cockpit
6. Easy Connect System
7. Built-In Reserve compartment
8. Pee tube exit (left side)
9. Rear fairing air intake (left & right side)
10. Interchangeable Speedbag
11. Windshield
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4.2. Cockpit
1. Instrument panel with Velcro
2. Fastening loop for instruments
3. Cable exit
4. Zipped pocket
5. Battery compartment on the back
6. Shoulder strap clips
4.3. Pockets & Compartments
1. Cockpit pocket
2. Two side pockets
3. Additional stowage
4. Large back compartment with extra pocket and holder for drink system
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4.4. LIGHTPACK ULS
1. Wide Hike & Fly shoulder straps with pockets
2. Velcro for smartphone
3. Elasticated side pockets for trekking poles, water bottles etc.
4. Waist strap with pockets
5. Adjustment straps
6. Helmet holder
7. Helmet holder attachment points
8. Comfortable top-loading function
9. Zipped pocket
10. Grab handle
11. Back foam & Protector element (removable)
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4.5. Two-part protector
The WEIGHTLESS has a two-part protector system consisting of a foam protector (Part 1) and the rucksack with
built-in back foam (Part 2). The rucksack is stowed in the compartment above the main protector (Version A). This
system allows more compact packing of the equipment and leaves more available storage space in the back
compartment.
As an alternative, the back foam1can be removed from the rucksack and permanently stowed in the dedicated
sleeve2as the protector add-on element in the protector compartment (Version B). In this mode, the rucksack is
stowed in the back compartment.
Warning Familiarize yourself with the protector system, it is for your safety.
Info The exact handling of the protector system you will find in the section "Installing the
protector"
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5. PREPARING THE PRODUCT
5.1. Delivery
Every ADVANCE harness must be checked by the authorized dealer before delivery to ensure that the scope of
delivery is complete and that the basic settings are correct.
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.
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5.1.1. Delivery includes
WEIGHTLESS
LIGHTPACK ULS
Rucksack back foam
Protector element sleeve
Main protector
Comfort foam
Windshield with cover
Hook Knife
Shoulder strap shortener
2 Grivel Plume Carabiners
Inner container with handle
Speed system
Speedbag
Carbon footboard 2.0
Cockpit
Ronstan pulleys
5.2. Installing a reserve
General
The WEIGHTLESS has an integrated reserve compartment.
Important advice about the reserve system
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Every reserve/harness combination has its own characteristics. It is essential that pilot and packer have confidence
in the system, and are therefore thoroughly familiar with its operation – especially when a new combination is
installed (new reserve in existing harness or vice versa), so that reliable functioning is assured.
Warning Installing a reserve must only be done by a qualified person. Your safety depends on it!
Compatibility of the reserve/harness system
Bulky reserves of an older generation can be relatively difficult to release from compact, modern harnesses,
especially under high-G circumstances. Certified volumes of reserves for the WEIGHTLESS reserve compartment are
a function of harness size: Size S: 2 - 4.0 liters, M: 2 - 4.5 liters, L: 2 - 5.0 liters.
Info
For a broad approximation for reserve volume in litres a factor of x 2.7 can be applied to
the reserve weight in kgs. Depending on method and packing skill a reserve with a volume
arrived at by this formula, which is within the certified limits for a harness, still may not
release without problem.
Warning If a reserve volume lies within the top third of the certified volume, special care must be
taken that the reserve is folded to match the length of the inner container‘s longest side.
Warning
In every case a test release/compatibility test carried out by the subject pilot in realistic
conditions is the only way to prove that the particular reserve will reliably release from
the WEIGHTLESS.
Warning When newly folded, a reserve can display a 30% enlarged volume. ADVANCE strongly
recommend a compatibility test.
Steerable reserves
The WEIGHTLESS can also be used with a steerable reserve. Connection to the harness should be made with two
maillons of minimum strength of 2,400 daN, direct to the coloured marked suspension points under the covers on
the shoulder straps. Then the steerable risers and lines should be led through the channel on the harness to the
reserve compartment.
Info It is not possible to install quick-out carabiners.
Video Tutorial Installing the Reserve
5.2.1. Packing reserve in the inner container
General
The release handle and the five-blade inner container are firmly connected and designed in such a way that the 9 / 65

pull from the release handle is evenly distributed over the entire width of the inner container. This reduces the risk
of jamming the inner container in the reserve compartment and of entangling reserve lines with the inner
container and guarantees optimal deployment. The release handle used with the five-blade inner container is part
of the harness and complies with the latest certification requirements according to LTF.
Warning Only use the original reserve handle and its attached inner container.
Packing the reserve parachute in the inner container
Always pack your reserve parachute to fit the shape and size of the supplied WEIGHTLESS inner container. Place
the rescue lines in the back in the direction of flight/throw. When all lines are stowed, there should be about 90 cm
of line length left to the bridle.
Warning If your reserve parachute does not fit in the inner container without extreme squeezing,
this indicates that it is too big for the WEIGHTLESS.
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Close inner container
Close the five-leaf inner container in the order of the numbers on each leaf 1-3. Secure the last container cover
leaf 3 with a line loop that should be about 5 to 6 cm long (about 3 fingers wide). Now check the pull of the elastic
and shorten or lengthen it as needed.
Info The line loop should be released by the weight of the reserve parachute itself.
Close the last flap of the container with two line loops of the same length (5 to 6 cm) as you used when closing the
last container leaf. The two line loops are secured to the container by means of two rubber bands that were
previously passed through the two eyelets of the outer container flap. The two rubber bands are mounted ex works. 11 / 65

5.2.2. Connecting the reserve to the harness
By looping
Based on extensive testing, ADVANCE harnesses can also be looped with companion reserves, provided basic
precautions such as center looping and maximum tightening of the straps are observed. We cannot make any
binding statement about the strength of ADVANCE harnesses in combination with other reserve systems.
1. Variant looping
2. Detailed view
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3. Pay attention to symmetry and twists
4. Neoprene cover
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With Maillon Rapide
Connect the sewn bridles of the WEIGHTLESS and the bridle of your rescue parachute with a Maillon Rapide of at
least 2,400 daN strength. Fix the straps in the Maillon Rapide - for example with the help of a rubber ring or
neoprene tape to prevent slipping and thus transverse loading of the Maillon Rapide in the event of a reserve
deployment.
1. Variant Maillon Rapide
2. Neoprene cover
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Warning Do not use tape instead of the rubber ring to fix the Maillon Rapide!
Info When looping a COMPANION reserve with the WEIGHTLESS, the V-line Neoprene Cover
must finally be pulled over the connection.
Warning Never attach the inner container to the reserve parachute!
5.2.3. Putting the inner container in the reserve compartment
When installing the reserve, always place the bridle in the reserve compartment first and then the inner container.
Green dot to green Dot. The connection to the reserve handle must be without twists.
Warning If a reserve parachute does not fit in the inner container after repacking, it must be
refolded to the shape of the inner container.
Warning Put the bridle in first, then the reserve.
Warning Green dot to green dot!
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5.2.4. Closing the reserve compartment
Warning Make sure the red flap is in the correct location (red on red).
1. Detail view of the flap.
2. Insert the reserve as described. Make sure that the red flap is in the correct place. (Red on red).
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3. Pull the lower flaps upwards.
4. Pull the white loops through the closing eyelets using the packing aid and close them with the yellow cable. Then
stow the yellow cables in the buttonholes.
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