APCO Aviation Cruiser User manual

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7 Chalamish St., Ind. Park Caesarea, 3088900 ISRAEL
2021/05/04 (rev. 1.01) offline
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CONTENTS:
DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY 3
1 INTRODUCTION 4
2 TECHNICAL DATA 5
3 CONSTRUCTION 6
4 MATERIALS 6
5 FLEXON® Batten system: 6
6 TRIMMING 7
7 RISERS 7
8 EMERGENCY PARACHUTE 7
9 GENERAL INSPECTION 8
10 ANNUAL / PERIODICAL AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTION 8
11 FLYING 11
12 PACKING 15
13 MAINTENANCE & CLEANING 15
14 BUTT HOLE II (Auto Debris release valves) 15
15 STORAGE 16
16 DAMAGE 16
17 THREE YEAR WARRANTY 16

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WARNING
This is not a training manual. It is extremely dangerous to yourself and others to attempt to fly this or any paraglider without first completing a flying course given
by a qualified instructor.
Apco Aviation's gliders are carefully manufactured and inspected by the factory. Please use the glider only as described in this manual. Do not make any
changes to the glider.
AS WITH ANY SPORT - WITHOUT TAKING THE APPROPRIATE PRECAUTIONS, PARAGLIDING CAN BE DANGEROUS.
DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY
Taking into consideration the inherent risk in paragliding or hang gliding, (free flying and motorized), it must be expressly understood that the manufacturer and seller
do not assume any responsibility for accidents, losses and direct or indirect damage following the use or misuse of this product.
APCO Aviation Ltd. is engaged in the manufacture and sale of hang gliding, paragliding, motorized Para/hang gliding and emergency parachute equipment.
This equipment should be used under proper conditions and after proper instruction from a qualified instructor. APCO Aviation Ltd. has no control over the use of this
equipment and a person using this equipment assumes all risks of damage or injury.
APCO Aviation Ltd. disclaims any liability or responsibility for injuries or damages resulting from the use of this equipment.
The glider is designed to perform in the frame of the required class as certified.

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1 INTRODUCTION
Re-designed from the ground up, this conservative tapered planform wing, the Cruiser – combines the advantages of both worlds, offering the perfect blend of
enhanced performance, speed and handling, with ease of use, extreme safety and user friendly nature of our well known veteran PW and Hybrid. It is an easy wing to
fly, suitable for students as well as experienced pilots, with significantly faster trim speed and superior glide (L/D). Since its launch the Cruiser has proved to be #1
choice of PPC wing for both students and intermediate pilots worldwide. Every pilot that transitions to the Cruiser from a rectangular chute is overwhelmed with
excitement!
The wing, its performance, safety and pilot friendly nature on the ground and in the air is praised and appreciated by all.

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2 TECHNICAL DATA
*All Data measured at sea level, using a combination of GPS and Speed Probe, averaged over several runs
Size
400
500
550
Cells
30
30
32
Area m2
37.1 (400 sq. ft.)
46.5 (500 sq. ft.)
50.3 (541 sq. ft.)
Area (projected) m2
31.2
38.8
42
Span (incl. Stabiliser) m
11.57
12.94
13.88
Span (projected) m
9.18
10.27
11.01
Aspect Ratio
3.6
3.6
3.83
Aspect Ratio (projected)
2.72
2.72
2.89
Payload kg
130-250
230-400
300-500
Weight of Canopy Kg
8
10
11
Root Cord m
3.66
4.1
4.1
Tip Cord m
1.03
1.16
1.16
Lines
Material
Diameter
Strength [kg]
Top; Bottom E&F
Super Aramid
1.8mm
230
Bottom A&B; C&D
Super Aramid
3.0mm
450
Brake top; safety BR
Super Aramid
1.8mm
230
Brake Bottom
Polyester
5.0mm
450
Sail Cloth
Nylon
Zero porosity “rip stop”
PERFORMANCE
CRUISER
CRUISER S
V-min.
27km/h
29km/h
V-trim
52-58km/h
54-60km/h
Min Sink (at optimum wing loading)
3.8 m/s
3.8 m/s

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3 CONSTRUCTION
The wing is constructed with a top and bottom surface, connected by ribs. One top and bottom panel, together with the connecting ribs is called a cell. Each cell has
an opening on the front lower part. The cells fill with air forcing the panels to take the shape dictated by the air-foil (rib) section.
On either side the wing ends in a stabilizer or wing tip, which provides straight-line (Yaw) stability and produces some outward lift to keep the span-wise tension.
The front part of the ribs use APCO's FLEXON batten system to keep the leading edge shaped at high speeds and in turbulent air. They also improve the
performance and the launch characteristics of the glider.
The line hook-up points are made of Dyneema and imbedded in the bottom surface of the wing for minimal drag and maximum performance.
4 MATERIALS
The wing is made from tear resistant Ripstop Nylon cloth, which is P.U. coated to zero porosity and then siliconized to give the fabric high resistance to the elements.
Different cloth is used for the top, bottom and ribs due to their different functions.
The lines are made of superaramide covered with a polyester sheath for protection against UV, wear and abrasion.
The bottom section of the brake lines is made of polyester because of its better mechanical properties.
The maillon quick links that attach the lines to the risers are made of stainless steel.
5 FLEXON® Batten system:
New generation FLEXON ® batten system incorporated (see
below) in the leading edge of the ribs, insuring perfect profile shape
(instead of traditional Mylar reinforcement). FLEXON ® battens
reduce the weight of the glider by an additional 500gr. and unlike
Mylar reinforcement will guarantee no deterioration in performance
or launch.
Additional advantage of FLEXON batten is that it is practically
indestructible, safeguarding the performance and launch over the
lifespan of the glider.

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6 TRIMMING
All Apco gliders are trimmed for optimum performance combined with unsurpassed safety. It is very important not to re-trim or tamper with
any of the lines or risers as this may alter the performance and safety. Trimming of the brake line should be done in accordance with this
manual and carefully checked before flying.
7 RISERS
The both CRUISER and CRUISER S is available in Std and Narrow (110) designed for a standard PPC (trike) configuration, with a 140-
160 cm distance between the base of the risers and should be using the standard risers of the PPC (trike) manufacturers, or Narrow,
wityh a distyance of 110cm between attachment points on the frame. For further information contact your PPC manufacturer (trike).
8 EMERGENCY PARACHUTE
It is recommended to use a certified rescue parachute when flying, no matter your intended altitude or flying style.
Attaching the rescue parachute should be done in accordance with the recommendations of the frame and reserve parachute
manufacturer. Always pre-flight check the reserve system before every flight.

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9 GENERAL INSPECTION
Pilots, please insure that your wing has been test flown and fully checked by your dealer before taking it into your possession.
Verify that the dealer checked and confirms that the glider is airworthy.
QUICK LINK SAFETY INSTRUCTION
Tightening torque of nut: 1,20 [NM] – Secure the nut with a drop of Loctite® glue.
BRAKE SETTING
The CRUISER is supplied with brake safety line (brake line measurement setting line). In order to set the correct length of the brake after
connecting the CRUISER to the PPC and rigging the brake line through the intended pullies on the machine, use another hand to hold the
brake lines together pulling away from the PPC till the safety line is tight, adjust the main brake line in accordance to this length and fix it
to that position.
• It is very important that the brake line is set to the correct length (first few centimetres of the brake are fairly light, while still
functioning).
• If the brake is set too short, it will result in delayed inflation and the glider will not come over head as easily. If set too long there will
be a slack of the controls and will not function as intended.
• DO NOT cut/ remove the safety brake line as it will be very helpful when re-assembling the wing after periodical check, changing
between machines etc.
10 ANNUAL / PERIODICAL AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTION
It is highly recommended that your glider (and other equipment), undergo a Periodical Airworthiness Inspection which is to be done by
Apco, or an Apco approved / appointed service centre.
This is recommended to be done every 24 months or every 100 hours, whichever comes first.
This recommendation is in line with Israeli regulations, binding in Israel. as an alternative, we suggest for you to follow the regulations set
by your national authorities.

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POROSITY:
Porosity is measured with a calibrated Porosimeter. It should be measured in at least 5 different places on the upper surface. Below is an
example of the sections we test at Apco. The upper surface, at 20-35% chord (from L/E) is most prone to becoming porous, and is thus
the most important section to test. It is also important to test the different cloth types, and different colours used.

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LINE MAINTENANCE
Superaramide lines are known to be sensitive to the influence of the elements. They must be carefully inspected periodically. In his/her
own interest, the pilot must observe the following points to ensure maximum performance and safety from the glider. Avoid sharp bending
and squeezing of lines. Take care that people do not step on the lines. Do not pull on the lines if they are caught on rocks or vegetation.
Avoid getting the lines wet. If they do get wet, dry them as soon as possible at room temperature and never store them wet.
One line of each line group (a, b, c, upper and lower) must be tested for minimum 50% of the rated strength. if the line fails under the load
test or does not return to its specified length all the corresponding lines must be replaced. never replace lines with different diameter or
type of lines as all gliders were flight and load tested for safety in their original configuration. Changing line diameter/strengths can have
dangerous / fatal consequences.
Professional use of gliders: towing, tandem, schooling and competition flying requires more frequent line inspection and replacement of A,
B, C, D and brake lines. For replacement lines please refer to our online direct line services.