APCO Aviation ChairBag 4 User manual

Revision 4.2
Date: 30.12.2013
APCO Aviation Ltd.
Setting Future Standards
7 Chalamish Street - Industrial Park - Caesarea 38900 ISRAEL P.O.Box 3049
www.apcoaviation.com
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2
1. Introduction-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3
2. Harness Sizing---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4
3. Harness Colors --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4
4. Disclaimer ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4
5. Speed System Assembly -------------------------------------------------------------------------------5
6. Adding a Wonder Bar (two-step handsfree Speedbar) ---------------------------------------7
7. Speed System Adjustment-----------------------------------------------------------------------------8
8. Harness Adjustments------------------------------------------------------------------------------------8
Shoulder Strap 8
Back Support 9
Chest Strap 9
Leg Straps 9
9. Reserve assembly & installation------------------------------------------------------------------- 10
10. Reserve Deployment --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15
11. Storage Space ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 15
Stuff Pocket 16
Side Pocket 16
12. Packing Your Harness ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16
13. Accessories --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16
The Foot Rest (44015) 17
The Wonder Bar (43135) 17
Flight Panel Cockpit (80050A) 17
14.Inspections ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18
a. Preflight Inspections----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18
b. Periodic Inspections ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18
15. Maintenance & Repair-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19
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1. Introduction
The ChairBag is the convertible harness/backpack by Apco. The ChairBag is a sophisticated, super-light
dual-purpose harness - a harness when flying and a backpack when traveling, all under 2.6kg. The
ChairBag was designed for pilots on the go who want the comfort and safety of a full feature harness for half
the weight. Just flip the harness inside out, throw in your glider and you are ready to go. The professional
carrying system specially adapted at the body anatomy and ventilating better your back for more
comfortable, effortless hikes to take-off.
The ChairBag comes with a full-size seat plate for maximum comfort and weight shift control. Maximum pilot
protection insured by integrated Cygnus air bag system with specially designed one-way air valve.
Built-in hook up points for your reserve and integrated reserve compartment make this harness fully usable
for all flying styles. Floating seat geometry guarantees easy entry and exit during take off and landing
respectively.
Fitted with quick lock buckles throughout and Aluminum loop-and-slide adjusters for easy in-flight use, the
ChairBag provides lavish comfort where you least expect it.
The ChairBag 4 include a rescue pocket located under the seat board and a webbing system incorporating
four quick lock buckles – two for the legs, and two more connecting to a T-lock male part on the chest strap.
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2. Harness Sizing
The ChairBag is currently available in a single size, for all pilots from 160cm and up to 185cm tall.
3. Harness Colors
Either model is available in four colors:
a. Black with red trim
b. Black with blue trim
c. Black with green trim
d. Black with orange trim
4. Disclaimer
In designing and manufacturing the ChairBag and any of its subassemblies or accessories, our aim has been
to create a harness system that will allow the user to engage in the sport of paragliding in a safe and
comfortable way.
However, paragliding is a high-risk activity, which may cause or result in serious injury or death. When you
take it upon yourself to participate in the sport of paragliding, you accept the risk inherent therein. You may
reduce the risk by receiving proper instruction and by following the basic safety requirements. The ChairBag
is a sensitive device, which may easily be damaged. Before each flight, the harness should carefully be
inspected for evidence of damage or wear. Any deviation from the manufacturer’s specifications concerning
maintenance, repair, alterations and modifications constitutes willful negligence.
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It is expressly understood and agreed that by the use hereof by the buyer or any subsequent user that Apco
Aviation Ltd. And/or the seller shall in no way be deemed or held liable or accountable and makes no
warranty, either expressed or implied, statutory, by operation of law or otherwise, beyond that expressed
herein.
Paragliding equipment is sold with all faults and without any warranty of merchantability or fitness for any
purpose, expressed or implied. Apco Aviation Ltd. Disclaims any liability in tort for damages, direct or
consequential, including personal injuries, resulting from a malfunction or from a defect in design,
manufacturing, materials or workmanship, whether caused by negligence on the part of Apco Aviation Ltd. or
otherwise.
By using any Paragliding equipment manufactured or sold by Apco Aviation Ltd., or allowing it to be used by
others, the buyer and/or user waives any liability on the part of Apco Aviation Ltd., for personal injuries or any
other damages arising from such use.
The liability of Apco Aviation Ltd. is limited to the replacement of defective parts found under examination by
manufacturer to be defective in material or workmanship within 120 days after purchase, and which has not
been caused by an accident, striking, improper use, alteration, tampering, excessive use, misuse or abuse.
The damages of the buyer and/or user shall be deemed liquidated in the costs of replacement as above.
5. Speed System Assembly
To rig the speed system, first disconnect the Brummel
hooks connected to speed bar lines as detailed below:
Create slack by feeding more line at the base of the
Brummel hook
Slide the line end loop with your thumbs over the top
of the hook
Disconnect the Brummel hook from the line
Pass the speed system lines through the bungee-secured
metal rings at the front of the seat
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Feed the speed system lines through grommets located at
the front of the harness.
Pull out the speed system lines.
Pass the speed system lines through the pulley on either
side of the harness.
Re-connect the Brummel hooks to the speedbar lines as
shown at the beginning.
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6. Adding a Wonder Bar(two-step handsfree Speedbar)
Thanks to the WONDER Bar’s unique geometry, the pilot can easily
find and reach the second stage using the feet only without having to
take the hands off the brakes.
This handsfree operation contributes to improved flight safety as well
as increased usable speed range. In order to attach the WONDER
BAR, simply replace the regular stirrup following the instructions
above.
NOTE: When attaching the WONDER BAR, make sure the black
plastic coated wire loop is facing down and the red loop is facing
forward.
Storing the WONDER BAR: in order to prolong your wonder bar life
span, store it with the black plastic coated wire loop on the seat
board.
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7. Speed System Adjustment
It is very important to ensure that your speed system is adjusted correctly before flying for the first time with
your new harness, and/or after making any changes or modifications to the system.
The best way to correctly adjust your speed system is to hang your harness from a suitable structure which
can support your weight. Attach the risers to the harness and sit in the harness while a friend holds up the
risers to simulate a flying position.
When properly adjusted, a regular speed bar should hang ~10cm below the rings at the front of the harness.
If you use a WONDER BAR, place the bar approx. 2cm below the rings. Under no circumstance should the
bar be closer to the seat. This will cause the lines to be tight resulting in permanent application of the speed
system during flight. It is also very important to check that the speed system is not accidentally applied while
standing for take-off or landing. A minimum of 2cm between the bar and the harness will eliminate the
problems mentioned above.
To reach the necessary speed system line length, adjust the knots found on both sides of the bar to the
desirable length.
WARNING:
USING OF THE SPEED SYSTEM OR TRIMMERS IN TURBULENT CONDITIONS OR NEAR THE
GROUND IS DANGEROUS.WHILE FLYING WITH THE ACCELERATOR,THE GLIDER HAS A
REDUCED ANGLE OF ATTACK AND IS THEREFORE MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO COLLAPSES AND/OR
DEFLATIONS.GLIDERS REACT MORE DYNAMICALLY WHEN ACCELERATED AND MAY TURN
MORE -RELEASE THE ACCELERATOR IMMEDIATELY IN THIS CASE.
8. Harness Adjustments
Shoulder Strap Adjusters are a pull-pull system. They are
located at the end of the shoulder straps. The shoulder straps
pass through the chest strap creating a “floating shoulder-seat
system” for easier entry and exit into the harness during take off
and landing.
To tighten the shoulder strap, pull the bottom end loop. To release,
pull the top end loop.
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Back Support Straps are best adjusted while the harness is
suspended from a suitable structure before flying for the first time.
To change to full up right position, pull on the forward loop. To
recline back, pull on the back loop.
Chest Strap Adjustment
Can be made any time during or before flight. Chest strap
adjustment does not change the seating position. The primary
function of this strap is semi cross-bracing functionality also known
as ABS1. A wide setting provides little cross bracing with
maximum weight shift control. The tightest setting offers maximum
cross-over stability with minimum weight-shift steering control. We
recommend setting the distance between the carabiners as noted
on the glider’s certification report.
Leg Straps Adjustment
Should be made in an upright position after having buckled both
leg straps and the chest strap. If you cannot stand upright
comfortably while the leg straps are fully extended, the shoulder
straps may be too tight. If the leg straps are too long, it may be
difficult to transition to a seated position after take-off. Generally,
we advise to adjust the leg straps short and the shoulder straps
long.
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9. Reserve assembly & installation
The ChairBag is the most comfortable and safe light harness
featuring an integral reserve compartment. It can be used with
MayDay reserve range, from MD p/p16 SLT to MD p/p20 or GMD /
GMD SLT.
Assembly as follows.
Step 1: Your harness is supplied with a deployment handle fitted
in the correct way. Remove the handle by pulling it out of the
elastic retainers. Fully open the compartment .
Step 2: Attach the handle to the deployment bag supplied with
your reserve parachute. The handle has a split ring fixed to one of
its attachment loops. Thread the first (without the Split Ring)
attachment loop through one of the attachment points on the
deployment bag. Pass the handle through the protruding loop to
form a larks Head knot.
Step 3: thread the second attachment loop through the other
attachment point on the deployment bag, making sure to center
the split ring on the loop, passing it through first. Use the split ring
to complete the second "larks head knot" by attaching it to both
the strips of the attachment loop on the other side of the
attachment point. The handle should now be attached at two
points to the deployment bag.
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