Air Design The Sock User manual

AIRDESIGN – The Sock Manual – V1.7– 2022 09 30 Page 1/19
WELCOME TO AIRDESIGN
Thank you for choosing AirDesign and The Sock.
This harness is the work of a team of pilots, mountaineers, adventurers, hikers, climbers, who love to
share their passion with you.
Based in the Alps, we spent hundreds of hours flying this harness during the development process to
ensure you will have lot of pleasure using it for your next adventure.
Please read carefully the manual for this harness.
Please register your harness online on our website at https://ad-gliders.com/product-
registration/?lang=en. Check the website Product registration page for more details.
If you wish, you can enroll for the AirDesign newsletter. Simply provide us with your e-mail address
and you will always be up to date with the very latest news from the AirDesign world.
Up to the minute news and information is available on our Facebook page under “AIRDESIGN
gliders”. Become a fan and you are online with us whenever you login to Facebook.
More information about The Sock can be found on our website:
www.ad-gliders.com
For any further questions, please contact your nearest AirDesign dealer –
https://ad-gliders.com/dealerlist/?lang=en
AIRDESIGN GmbH
Rhombergstraße 9,
6067 Absam
AUSTRIA
AirDesign GmbH | www.ad-gliders.com
Rhombergstraße 9 | 6067 Absam | Austria
[phone] | [email protected]
Paragliding harness
Gleitschirm-Gurtzseug
Sellette parapente
Size:
Größe:
Tailles :
Serial number:
Werk Nr.:
N° de serie :
Maximum pilot weight:
Maximum Pilotengewicht:
Poids max. du pilote :
Test Standard:
Prüfrichtlinie:
Test standard :
Test Center:
Prüfstelle:
Centre de test :
Back protector
Rückenprotektor
Protection dorsale
CHANGE CARABINERS EVERY 5 YEARS / 500 HOURS
WECHSELN SIE IHRE KARABINER ALLE
5 JAHRE / 500 STUNDEN
CHANGER LES MOUSQUETONS TOUS LES
5 ANS / 500 HEURES
Air Turquoise S.A.: PH_371_2022
S
120 kg
Rescue Container Volume:
Rettungscontainer Volumen:
Volume conteneur secours : 2,5 - 5L
EN1651:2018
NfL 2-565-20
READ USER MANUAL BEFORE USE!
VOR GEBRAUCH
BETRIEBSANWEISUNG LESEN!
LIRE LE MANUEL AVANT UTILISATION !
Air Turquoise S.A.
CH-1844 Villeneuve
LM
Prod. M/Y:
Prod. M/J:
Prod. M/A :

AIRDESIGN – The Sock Manual – V1.7– 2022 09 30 Page 2/19
TABLE OF CONTENT
WELCOME TO AIRDESIGN .................................................................................................................................................. 1
SAFETY ............................................................................................................................................................................... 3
SIZE CHART ........................................................................................................................................................................ 3
DISCOVERING YOUR HARNESS ........................................................................................................................................... 4
GENERAL DESCRIPTION .................................................................................................................................................................. 4
SAFETY ELEMENTS ........................................................................................................................................................................ 4
SEAT STRUCTURE .......................................................................................................................................................................... 4
LARGE VOLUME CONTAINERS .......................................................................................................................................................... 5
INFLIGHT ACCESSIBLE POCKETS ......................................................................................................................................................... 5
PREPARATION FOR FLIGHT ................................................................................................................................................. 6
UNDER SEAT STORAGE ................................................................................................................................................................... 6
INFLATING AIRPILLOW .................................................................................................................................................................. 6
BACK CONTAINER ......................................................................................................................................................................... 7
NOSE CONTAINER ......................................................................................................................................................................... 7
COCKPIT ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 8
SOLAR PANEL CONNECTION POINTS .................................................................................................................................................. 8
CONNECTION TO TOWING EQUIPMENT .............................................................................................................................................. 8
CLIPPING-IN YOUR HARNESS .............................................................................................................................................. 9
WAIST STRAP .............................................................................................................................................................................. 9
POD CLOSING .............................................................................................................................................................................. 9
CHEST CROSS STRAPS .................................................................................................................................................................. 10
CONNECTION TO THE PARAGLIDER RISERS ......................................................................................................................................... 10
CONNECTING THE SPEED BAR ........................................................................................................................................................ 10
HARNESS ADJUSTMENTS ................................................................................................................................................. 11
1: SEAT INCLINATION ADJUSTMENT (THIGH SUPPORT) ........................................................................................................................ 11
2, 3, 4 : LEG LENGTH ADJUSTMENT (FOOTPLATE) .............................................................................................................................. 12
5: LOWER BACK ADJUSTMENT (LUMBAR STRAPS) ............................................................................................................................... 12
6: UPPER BACK ADJUSTMENT (SHOULDER STRAPS) ............................................................................................................................. 12
7: SPEED BAR ADJUSTMENT .......................................................................................................................................................... 13
Balance Check .................................................................................................................................................................. 13
In flight Adjustment ......................................................................................................................................................... 13
Enjoy your flight! .............................................................................................................................................................. 14
PREPARING YOUR HARNESS (DETAILS) ............................................................................................................................. 15
CONNECTION DETAIL (HARNESS- CARABINER ASSEMBLY) ..................................................................................................................... 15
RESCUE INSTALLATION ................................................................................................................................................................. 15
Risers’ connection ............................................................................................................................................................ 15
Rescue handle connection ............................................................................................................................................... 16
Container closing ............................................................................................................................................................. 16
Rescue deployment .......................................................................................................................................................... 17
HARNESS PACKING ...................................................................................................................................................................... 18
COMPOSITION, CARE AND MAINTENANCE ....................................................................................................................... 18
ROUTINE INSPECTION ...................................................................................................................................................... 18
PRODUCT REGISTRATION AND GUARANTEE ..................................................................................................................... 19
Product registration – Produktregistrierung - Enregistrement de produit ....................................................................... 19
RESPECTING NATURE AND ENVIRONMENT ...................................................................................................................... 19

AIRDESIGN – The Sock Manual – V1.7– 2022 09 30 Page 3/19
SAFETY
The Sock is certified according to the EN 1651 and the NfL 2-565-20 for a maximum pilot weight of
120kg.
As a light harness, it is not advised to perform any acrobatic maneuver.
Towing is permitted providing it’s done under professional supervision, with a specific quick release
system, connected to the main carabiners, taking care that there is no possible interaction of the
towing system with the reserve container.
Please read this manual carefully and thoroughly.
IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE
SIZE CHART
The choice of your harness size is important. The chart will help you to choose but we recommend
that you try the equipment at one of our dealers.
By the purchase of this equipment, you are responsible for being a certified paraglider pilot and you
accept all risks inherent with paragliding activities including injury and death.
Improper use or misuse of paragliding equipment greatly increases these risks.
Neither AirDesign nor the seller of AirDesign equipment shall be held liable for personal or third party
injuries or damages under any circumstances.
If any aspect of the use of our equipment remains unclear, please contact your local paragliding
instructor, AirDesign dealer or the AirDesign importer in your country.

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DISCOVERING YOUR HARNESS
General description
Safety elements
Seat structure

AIRDESIGN – The Sock Manual – V1.7– 2022 09 30 Page 5/19
Large volume containers
!
Inflight accessible pockets
!
!

AIRDESIGN – The Sock Manual – V1.7– 2022 09 30 Page 6/19
PREPARATION FOR FLIGHT
Under seat storage
We recommend using the under seat container to store your folded rucksack. This allows to improve
your protection with a small additional absorber.
(Certification does not take the bag in consideration but better results were verified)
Inflating AirPillow
The Sock harness contains an inflatable AirPillow protector which provides an excellent impact
absorption. This protection is EN/LTF and CE certified (Reference : PH_371_2022
Before using your harness, you need to inflate the AirPillow. You can use the Sock Bag to inflate it
using the pipe. Once the Air Pillow is completely filled up, close the pipe using the clamp to lock it
tight.
!

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Back container
The back container offers a large storage volume.
Hydration system hooking and slots:
Nose container
You can use the Nose container for your Sock Bag and AirPack.
Warning: Avoid storing heavy objects in this pocket.

AIRDESIGN – The Sock Manual – V1.7– 2022 09 30 Page 8/19
Cockpit
The Cockpit is covered with Velcro and allows you to display all your instruments. The Mesh pocket
underneath is perfect for all kinds of energy reserves (batteries, power bars). Furthermore, The Sock
is delivered with a Hook-Knife and leash – for emergency.
!
Solar Panel connection points
Loops on the pod allow you to connect and secure foldable solar panels.
!
Connection to Towing equipment
The sock Harness is suitable for winch-towing launches. There are no special attachments for this
type of launch. The tow release system is to be connected to the main carabiners.
Please ensure that the tow release equipment is compatible with the front rescue container.
Follow the instructions of the tow release and the tow adapter or ask a flight instructor or
professional experienced with paraglider towing.
!

AIRDESIGN – The Sock Manual – V1.7– 2022 09 30 Page 9/19
CLIPPING-IN YOUR HARNESS
Waist strap
First get into the harness by putting the shoulders on.
Make sure that the leg loops, coming from behind, pass between your legs.
Then close the waist strap with the toggles and the loops – Red to Red & Green to Green
Pod closing
First close the left panel diagonally using the clip on the right side. Green to Green.
Make sure the connection is free and nothing is tangled with other lines from the pod.
Then close the right panel passing the rescue container loop around the left red toggle. Red to Red.
!

AIRDESIGN – The Sock Manual – V1.7– 2022 09 30 Page 10/19
Chest cross straps
Close chest strap using the clip.
Connection to the paraglider risers
Warning! Ensure that carabiners are locked and not twisted before take-off.
Connecting the speed bar
!

AIRDESIGN – The Sock Manual – V1.7– 2022 09 30 Page 11/19
HARNESS ADJUSTMENTS
1: Seat Inclination adjustment (thigh support)
Adjust the strap height to reach a comfortable thigh support and inclination.
!

AIRDESIGN – The Sock Manual – V1.7– 2022 09 30 Page 12/19
2, 3, 4 : Leg length adjustment (Footplate)
Adjust line lengths by positioning the lark’s head knot according to your legs length. Harness is
optimized so that all connections are on same knot position (for instance, if line #2 is on knot #1,
lines 3 and 4 should also be on knots # 1).
5: Lower back adjustment (Lumbar straps)
Adjust the lumbar straps symmetrically for a comfortable fit and balanced back support.
6: Upper back adjustment (Shoulder straps)
Adjust the shoulders symmetrically for a balanced back support.
!

AIRDESIGN – The Sock Manual – V1.7– 2022 09 30 Page 13/19
7: Speed bar adjustment
Speed bar is already mounted with a standard adjustment.
Should you need to adjust the speed bar line length, use the knots at bottom of the speed bar lines.
!
!
Balance Check
Check the angle of your harness and adjust if necessary.
Use back adjustments and foot plate lines to adjust legs length and harness horizontal balance.
Remark: Perform all adjustments with shoes on and all your gear in flight configuration (Weight
distribution matters)
In flight Adjustment
You can adjust Back and Shoulders during the flight, but we recommend you to do it before take-off.
!

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Enjoy your flight!
!

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PREPARING YOUR HARNESS (details)
Connection detail (Harness- Carabiner assembly)
The harness is delivered with Carabiners. In case you have to remove them, please respect the
mounting as here below.
Rescue installation
Risers’ connection
To connect your rescue to the risers, please proceed as shown here below.
1
2
3
1
2
3

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If your rescue does not allow this lark’s head knot assembly, you can use a maillon with suitable
resistance. Follow then the instructions related to your rescue or ask a flight instructor or
professional with experience in paraglider rescue installation. By any mean, avoid friction with
unsheathed Dyneema lines or ropes.
Rescue handle connection
Container closing

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Risers’ sleeve
Maximum Volume for the rescue is 5000 cm3 on L size.
Rescue deployment
We recommend a rescue pull out at least once a year and at every repacking in order to verify its
proper functioning.
Warning : User must check that the length between the handle and the container does not allow
entanglement with the rescue lines. !

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Harness packing
COMPOSITION, CARE AND MAINTENANCE
The durability of this harness depends on your good care. Using the harness for ground handling,
touch and go, speed flying or speed riding will lower its life span.
The harness is composed of Ripstop Nylon fabric, nylon elasthane fabric EVA foam, polyester mesh,
polyester, Dyneema and nylon webbings, Nitinol rods, Aluminium toggles and carabiners, TPU
inflatable bag with PVC pipe, zippers and polypropylene buckles.
Take care of the following:
• Avoid excessive exposure to UV, heat and humidity.
• Pack the harness dry and store in a cool dry place.
• Do not pack it too tight to avoid permanent damages to the Nitinol rods.
• Never drag or skim your harness along the ground.
• Keep you harness clean of dirt, oils and any corrosive substance.
• This harness can be washed with a soft brush and clear water. Do not dry under direct sun
exposure.
ROUTINE INSPECTION
Regularly inspect your harness (every 20 flights or 3 months) by visually check the stitching, webbing
and all structurally important areas. Pay particular attention to the webbing around the hang point
area. Same intervals apply for your rescue / harness connections and for Air Pillow’s tightness when
inflated.
If you find any damage or if you are in any doubt make sure the harness is checked by a professional
or contact your dealer immediately.
Harness should be checked and inspected thoroughly by a professional before reaching 5 years or
500 flights.
Change the aluminum carabiners after 5 years or 500 flights.
Warning! Do not use the carabiners if any sign of damage is visible or if they have been used in a
wrong way (lateral load for example) on a previous flight, or if they have suffered from a shock.
!

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PRODUCT REGISTRATION AND GUARANTEE
This product is guaranteed 2 years from date of purchase against production faults
Product registration – Produktregistrierung - Enregistrement de produit
Model/Modell/Modèle: The Sock
Size/Größe/Taille:
r
S
r
M
r
L
Serial Number/Seriennummer/Numéro de série: _________________________________
Date of Purchase/Kaufdatum/Date d’achat: _____________________________________
First Flight/Erstflug/Date de premier vol: _______________________________________
Customer/Käufer/Client:
Family Name/ Nachname/Nom de famille: ______________________________________
First Name/Vorname/Prénom: _______________________________________________
Address/Adresse/Adresse: ___________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Tel: _____________________________________________________________________
Fax: _____________________________________________________________________
Email: ___________________________________________________________________
Product Registration: cut off and send to AIRDESIGN, or register online at: www.ad-gliders.com
Produktregistrierung abtrennen und einschicken, oder online registrieren unter: www.ad-gliders.com
Enregistrement produit : couper et envoyer à AIRDESIGN, ou enregistrer en ligne sur : www.ad-gliders.com
AIRDESIGN GmbH I Rhombergstraße 9, 3.Stock I 6067 Absam I AUSTRIA
RESPECTING NATURE AND ENVIRONMENT
Finally, we would ask each pilot to take care of nature and our environment. Respect nature and the environment at all
times but most particularly at take-off and landing places.
Respect others and paraglide in harmony with nature.
Do not leave marked tracks and do not leave rubbish behind.
Do not make unnecessary noise and respect sensitive biological areas.
The materials used on the harness should be recycled.
Please send old AIRDESIGN harnesses back to AIRDESIGN offices. We will undertake to recycle the harness.
Thank you, now put your Sock on, go out and enjoy your flights!