Avian PUMA 13.5 User manual

PUMA 13.5

Puma 13.5 Owner’s Manual
Owner's Manual
Puma 13.5:
Serial Number
......................
Before flying your glider please read this manual completely, check all your
battens against the batten profile (adjusting them if necessary) and do a
thorough pre flight check.
AVIAN LTD.
Stretfield
Bradwell
H pe Valley
S33 9JT
UK
Tel [phone]
E-mail: avian@hanggliding.c .uk
www.hanggliding.co.uk
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Puma 13.5 Owner’s Manual
Table of Contents
TABLE F FIGURES..........................................................................................................................................3
TABLES............................................................................................................................................................... 4
REVISI N HIST RY.........................................................................................................................................................4
SECTION 1: USING YOUR AIRCRAFT.....................................................................................................................5
INTR DUCTI N............................................................................................................................................... 5
RIGGING (QUICK GUIDE).............................................................................................................................................6
RIGGING THE PUMA......................................................................................................................................... 6
PRE-FLIGHT CHECK-LIST.............................................................................................................................. 10
FLYING THE PUMA.........................................................................................................................................12
P ST FLIGHT INSPECTI N............................................................................................................................13
DE-RIGGING..................................................................................................................................................... 13
VG (VARIABLE GE METRY).........................................................................................................................................15
VG MAINTENANCE........................................................................................................................................ 15
BATTENS AND BATTEN PR FILE.................................................................................................................. 16
TUNING INSTRUCTI NS................................................................................................................................17
MAINTENANCE............................................................................................................................................... 22
REPAIR.............................................................................................................................................................. 24
C MP NENT LIFE.......................................................................................................................................... 24
TRANSP RTATI N.......................................................................................................................................... 24
SH RT PACKING.............................................................................................................................................. 24
TRANSP RTATI N BY AIR............................................................................................................................. 26
ST RAGE......................................................................................................................................................... 26
TR UBLE SH TING.....................................................................................................................................27
WHAT SPARES SH ULD I TAKE N H LIDAY?...........................................................................................28
WNERSHIP..................................................................................................................................................... 29
SECTION 2: TECHNICAL DETAILS.......................................................................................................................30
SPECIFICATI NS............................................................................................................................................. 30
PERATING LIMITS........................................................................................................................................30
.........................................................................................................................................................................................31
RIGGING........................................................................................................................................................... 32
REC MMENDED C MP NENT LIFE............................................................................................................ 33
STANDARD FACT RY SETTINGS..................................................................................................................33
STANDARD BATTEN TENSI NS....................................................................................................................33
CHECKING VELCR LENGTHS.....................................................................................................................34
STANDARD TIP CAP SETTINGS.....................................................................................................................35
........................................................................................................................................................................... 35
CHECKING WASH UT....................................................................................................................................35
SECTION 3: ASSEMBLY DRAWINGS.....................................................................................................................38
N SE ASSEMBLY............................................................................................................................................ 38
T P F UPRIGHT ASSEMBLY......................................................................................................................... 39
CR SS TUBE CENTRE JUNCTI N.................................................................................................................40
CR SS TUBE LEADING EDGE JUNCTI N AND SIDE WIRE ATTACHMENT.............................................41
WASH UT R D ASSEMBLY (SPR GS).......................................................................................................... 42
TABLE OF FIGURES
FIGURE 1: TENSIONING THE GLIDER...................................................................................................................7
FIGURE 2: VG. TRAVEL SET-U ..............................................................................................................................16
FIGURE 3: MEASURING WASHOUT HEIGHT TO BATTEN.............................................................................19
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Puma 13.5 Owner’s Manual
FIGURE 4: CHECKING BATTEN TENSION..........................................................................................................21
FIGURE 5: HANG LOO RECOMMENDED STARTING OSITION...............................................................31
FIGURE 6: VELCRO TAB LENGTHS......................................................................................................................34
FIGURE 7: TI CA SETTINGS................................................................................................................................35
FIGURE 8: MEASURING WASHOUT HEIGHT TO BATTEN END...................................................................35
FIGURE 9: CHECKING WASHOUT HEIGHTS.....................................................................................................37
FIGURE 10: NOSE ASSEMBLY.................................................................................................................................38
FIGURE 11: RUBBER BACKED U RIGHTS TO FITTINGS............................................................................39
FIGURE 12: CROSS TUBE – LEADING EDGE JUNCTION................................................................................41
FIGURE 13: WASHOUT RODS AND WIRES..........................................................................................................42
TABLES
TABLE 1: RIGGING COLOUR CODING................................................................................................................32
TABLE 2: STANDARD BATTEN TENSIONS.........................................................................................................33
TABLE 3: VELCRO TAB LENGTHS........................................................................................................................34
Revision History
Revision Date Comments
01 13/07/18 First released issue.
02 16/09/18 Typos and clarifications on pages 23, 34, 35 and 36. General assembly drawing
added.
Please ensure you are looking at the latest Revision of this Handbook. You can download the latest version
from the website at www.hanggliding.co.uk or you can email [e-mail] to request the latest
version.
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Puma 13.5 Owner’s Manual
Section 1: Using your Aircraft
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on your purchase of an Avian Puma 13.5. The Puma 13.5 represents the state of the art in
high performance, kingpost-less design but with a kingpost! We hope that you will experience many hours of
safe and enjoyable flying on your new hang glider.
This manual is designed to help you get the most out of your Puma. Please read this manual completely
before flying, check all your battens against the batten profile (adjusting them if necessary) and do a
thorough pre-flight check including checking the operation of the VB.
Please make sure your first flight on your new glider is in perfect conditions from a site that you are familiar
with. If you are uncertain, or have any problems with your glider, DO NOT FLY. We have a section on
trouble shooting in this manual that features some of the more common problems that pilots have
encountered, and our recommended solutions. If you are still not sure contact your local dealer or the Avian
factory.
Please pass on this manual to the next owner of your Puma 13.5.
LEASE NOTE:
Avian Ltd does not have commercial product liability insurance.
Avian hang gliders are built using materials and fittings to the industry standard or better. Avian hang gliders
are subject to Avian quality control and testing prior to delivery to the customer.
nce possession of the glider passes to the customer, its maintenance and condition becomes the
responsibility of the owner or pilot. Any concerns or queries about the glider's subsequent airworthiness
MUST be referred back to the local dealer or the Avian factory.
Hang gliders must be:
stored correctly
treated with respect
checked before take off and after heavy landings
flown within their flight envelopes
regularly maintained
Failure to do any of these courts disaster.
Look after your aircraft!!
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Puma 13.5 Owner’s Manual
RIGGING (Quick Guide)
It is recommended that you read this manual in full before flying this aircraft. If you are fortunate you may
be shown how it flies and how to rig it in person by the previous owner or your Avian dealer.
For Rigging the main points to remember are:
1. Put the nose batten on its location before opening up the wings.
2. Put the battens in the sail but do not tension them.
3. Pull back the cross tube tension and put in the safety ring before tensioning the battens.
4. Gently push the battens fully home and then tension them.
5. Zip the washout rods in place.
6. Do a very careful and thorough pre flight check. (See this manual.)
RIGGING THE UMA
The glider can either be rigged flat on the ground, or with the glider supported on its control frame. The latter
should only be attempted in light wind conditions but is useful in confined spaces or where the terrain is
likely to cause soiling or damage to the sail.
Flat rigging
1. Lay the glider on the ground with the nose pointing into wind. Unzip the bag and roll the glider so it is
the right way up. Take the bag off. (If you tread on the inside of the bag any dirt that you get on it will be
transferred to the glider when you put the bag on later.)
2. Take off the glider ties and remove the battens from on top of the sail.
3. Place the nose batten on its location fitting at the front of the keel. (This is difficult to do when the glider
is fully rigged.)
4. Making sure that you do not lift the tip high above the ground (to ensure that you do not bend the nose
plates), move one wing out a little then the other. It is important to move both wings out slightly (the tip
less than 1m) before moving through larger arcs. (The reason for this is that the geometry of the cross
tubes does not allow one wing to be pulled out far without the other moving. If you do this when the
wings are nearly parallel the leverage you exert is very high. It is possible to put very high loads where
you might not at first imagine, bending the nose plates and worse.) Continue until both wings are about
three quarters of their maximum travel. If there is any resistance, stop and check to see what is causing
it. Free the problem before continuing. Do not attempt to force the wings apart. Lift the wing preferably
by the wing tip or by holding under the leading edge. (If you must use the sail hold it by the batten
pocket ends on the trailing edge. (To try and minimise trailing edge wear.)
5. Remove the tips socks and unroll the wing tip of the sail.
6. Put the bottom bar on and insert the two stainless pins from the back of the base bar and fit the safety
rings. PUT THE RINGS IN IMMEDIATELY. D N T LEAVE IT UNTIL LATER. Thread the VB
cord through the cleat on the base bar. Tie a 'stop' knot 5 cm from the end of the cord to prevent it being
lost up the upright.
7. Lay the battens on the ground and pair them up, red (for the left wing) with green (for the right wing),
and check that corresponding batten pairs have the same profile. This is a good habit to get into as it will
reduce the chances of taking off on a glider with a turn caused by asymmetric shaped battens.
(Periodically the battens should be checked against the batten profile and re-profiled if necessary. Do not
forget to check the nose batten.)
8. Insert the battens smoothly starting with the outer (No. 9) curved batten. Insert the batten in the batten
pocket second from the tip. (The outer-most pocket is for the compression strut which is inserted later in
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Puma 13.5 Owner’s Manual
the rigging sequence.) Insert the other battens working from the tip towards the centre root of the sail.
n a new glider a little silicon spray on the batten ends will help them slide in smoothly. Keeping the
trailing edge low and slowly easing the battens into their respective pockets will help increase batten
pocket and sail life. If the batten will not slide easily into the pocket, move the sail and try again. Do
not force the battens in as it may damage the batten pocket Do not tension the battens at this stage.
9. The glider can now be tensioned: First make sure the side wires are not caught around the battens. Then
remove the split ring from the special bolt located through the rear of the keel tube. Using the attached
cords initially and then holding the webbing, pull the cross tube restraint webbing back. Check that the
cords are not twisted. Locate the stainless tang over the stub of the bolt and slide into location closest to
the keel. Now take the rear top wire (from the kingpost), place tang onto bolt stub and replace the split
ring. PUT THE RING IN IMMEDIATELY. D N T LEAVE IT UNTIL LATER. If the tension feels
too tight stop and see what is causing the problem. D N T JUST F RCE IT. (Consult the trouble
shooting area of this manual for possible causes.)
Figure 1: Tensioning the glider
10. Push the battens home the last little bit. With a new sail the battens may need a little push to go fully
home. The batten ends can then be snapped closed. The snap battens all snap closed outwards. Do not
alter the tension of the snap batten ends by turning the fitting. (unless intentionally adjusting batten
tension, see tuning section)
11. The compression strut (batten No 10) nearest the wing tip can only be inserted when the glider has been
tensioned. It slides into its batten pocket and the front end locates on a plastic cleat on the leading edge.
This batten or compression strut is profiled on the Puma. Like all the other top surface battens the curve
should be up. (The top surface of the wing should be convex, not concave). Left and right compression
struts can be identified for the direction of the clippy end. All battens release inwards and snap closed
outwards (i.e. compression strut clippy ends should point the same way as all others)
12. The under surface battens should also be inserted when the glider is tensioned. They should be pushed
home so that only the rope projects from the batten pocket. Put the most outboard under surface batten
in first. The under surface battens can be pushed home with another under surface batten.
13. Lift the trailing edge of the sail near the tip and rotate the washout rods into position. Check that the
support wires are not rotated around the washout rods. Zip up the under-surface zips. When the zips are
fully done up the washout rods are prevented from folding back alongside the leading edge.
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Puma 13.5 Owner’s Manual
14. Please note the VB must be fully off. It should not be pulled on if the glider is laid flat on the ground.
To do so could over tension the side wires, bend the tangs, stretch the speed bar etc. The glider should be
stood on its control frame before operation of the VB is checked.
15. Make sure that the wires are not twisted, then stand the glider on its control frame and attach the swan
catch, pip pin and safety washer.
16. Make sure that the nose catch is correctly attached and then put the nose cone on.
Note: Never hook in nose catch without pip pin inserted, even as a temporary measure while
rigging, forgetting to insert the pip pin could have disastrous consequences!
17. If flying with wing tip fairing they should now be fitted: Put the tip inside the sail and attach the top
Velcro. Lift the trailing edge of the wing tip slightly until the under-surface is as tight as it will be in
flight. Velcro the lower surface to the tip fairing. When the trailing edge is released there may be some
looseness at the front of the under-surface at the tip. This looseness will disappear in flight. Check for
symmetry of fitting of both wing tip fairings.
18. The glider is now fully rigged. You should now make sure that you do a thorough pre-flight check before
you fly, making particular care that all undersurface zips (4 washout rods and central undersurface) are
closed.
19. We suggest that if there is significant wind that the glider is left flat on the ground, nose into wind and
securely weighted or tied down at the nose until you are ready to fly. In light winds the Puma may be left
standing on its 'A' frame tail into wind- but be wary of gusts of wind, thermals and dust devils. Keep a
close eye on it.
Rigging on the A-frame
1. This is useful in confined spaces or where the terrain is likely to cause soiling or damage to the sail.
2. Lay the glider on the ground. If there is any wind the nose should be pointing cross or down wind. Unzip
the bag and take off enough ties to remove the battens and assemble the A frame.
3. The nose batten should already be in the sail. Move its front end onto its plastic location at the front of
the keel.
4. Assemble the A frame. Put the bottom bar on and insert the two stainless pins from the back of the base
bar and fit the safety rings.PUT THE RINGS IN IMMEDIATELY. D N T LEAVE IT UNTIL
LATER. Thread the VB cord through cleat on the base bar. Tie a 'stop' knot 5cm from the end of the VB
cord.
5. Stand the glider on its A-frame. Take the bag and remaining ties off and remove the battens from the top
of the wing. Check that the glider is positioned correctly relative to any wind and that it can be secured in
its current location when fully rigged. (i.e. glider should be facing with 'back' to the wind)
6. Making sure that the wires are not kinked, attach the nose swan catch, pip pin and safety cap.
7. Remove the last of the ties and open the wings slightly. Walk the wings out to about three quarters of
their full extension. As before the wings should ideally be walked out together. If you are rigging by
yourself move alternate wings gradually apart.
lease note:
Whilst spreading the wings, particularly when the glider is standing on its A frame, it is essential that the
leading edges and keel are kept in the same plane. (This is to avoid distortion to the nose plates or any
other components.)
8. Take care to place the tips on a piece of ground that is not likely to cause them damage. Leave the tip
socks on as this will protect them. The glider should now be standing on its A frame, wing tips and keel.
9. Push the tip socks down the leading edge so some more of the sail is released but leave the sock at the
end to protect the sail.
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Puma 13.5 Owner’s Manual
10. Lay the battens on the ground and pair them up, red (for the left wing) with green (for the right wing),
and check that corresponding batten pairs have the same profile. This is a good habit to get into as it will
reduce the chances of taking off on a glider with a turn caused by asymmetric shaped battens.
(Periodically all the battens should be checked against the batten profile.)
11. Put the first 4 battens from the root in their pockets working from the centre cord towards the tip. Keep
the trailing edge low and slowly ease the battens into their respective pockets. Leave the tip socks on.
12. Make sure you have opened the wing as far as possible. Tensioning the glider is made easier with the
help of a friend. Get him or her to lift a wing tip, thus opening the wings out further. Tensioning is then
easy.
13. The glider can now be tensioned. Remove the split ring from the special bolt located through the rear of
the keel tube. Using the attached cords initially and then holding the webbing, pull the cross tube
restraint webbing back. Check that the cords are not twisted. Locate the stainless tang over the stub of
the bolt and slide into location closest to the keel. Now take the rear top wire (from the kingpost), place
tang onto bolt stub and replace the split ring. PUT THE RING IN IMMEDIATELY. D N T LEAVE
IT UNTIL LATER. If the tension feels too tight stop and see what is causing the problem. D N T
JUST F RCE IT. (Consult the trouble shooting area of this manual for possible causes. See Figure 1)
14. Take off the tip socks and unroll the sail. The last few battens can then be inserted in their pockets.
15. The compression strut (batten No. 10) nearest the wing tip can only be inserted when the glider has been
tensioned. It slides into its batten pocket and the front end locates on a plastic cleat on the leading edge.
This batten or compression strut is profiled on the Puma. Like all the other top surface battens the curve
should be up. (The top surface of the wing should be convex, not concave). Left and right compression
struts can be identified for the direction of the clippy end. All battens release inwards and snap closed
outwards (i.e. compression strut clippy ends should point the same way as all others)
16. Push the battens home the last little bit. With a new sail the battens may need a little push to go fully
home. The batten ends can then be snapped closed starting from the tip and working towards the root.
The snap battens all snap closed outwards. Do not alter the tension of the snap batten ends by turning the
fitting. (unless intentionally adjusting batten tension, see tuning section)
17. If not already in place, locate the nose batten on its seat just in front of the nose plate. (Some pilots only
remove the nose batten occasionally to check its profile.)
18. Lift the trailing edge of the sail near the tip and rotate the washout rods into position. Check that the
support wires are not caught around the washout rods. Zip up the under-surface zips. When the zips are
fully done up the washout rods are prevented from folding back alongside the leading edge.
19. The under surface battens are more easily inserted once the glider has been tensioned. They should be
pushed home so that only the rope projects from the batten pocket. Put the most outboard under surface
batten in first. The under surface battens can be pushed home with another under surface batten.
20. Double check that the nose catch is correctly attached and put the nose cone on.
Note: Never hook in nose catch without pip pin inserted, even as a temporary measure while
rigging, forgetting to insert the pip pin could have disastrous consequences!
21. If flying with wing tip fairing they should now be fitted: Put the tip inside the sail and attach the top
Velcro. Lift the trailing edge of the tip until the under-surface it tight as it will be in flight. Velcro the
lower surface to the tip fairing. When the trailing edge is released there will be some looseness at the
front of the under-surface at the tip. This looseness will disappear in flight.
22. The glider is now fully rigged and you should now make sure that you do a thorough pre-flight check
before you fly, making particular care that all undersurface zips (4 washout rods and central
undersurface) are closed.
RE-FLIGHT CHECK-LIST
Detailed pre-flight checks must be carried out during rigging. If your glider has travelled on an airline we
recommend an even more thorough check including getting inside the sail to check all the main tubing very
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Puma 13.5 Owner’s Manual
closely. Always use the same rigging and packing procedure which will help to eliminate mistakes. After
rigging, a pre-flight check should always be carried out. The following must be checked:
1. First stand back and have a good look at the glider. Have you missed anything really obvious like
forgetting to tension the glider or put the nose cone on. Does the glider look symmetrical? It should.
2. All tubes are straight and not dented. Any damage to carbon spars should be very closely inspected. A
small dent is very serious damage. (See: Error: Reference source not found page Error: Reference
source not found.)
3. Nose plates and A frame fittings K. All bolts, nuts and screws secure.
4. Check that all washout rods are deployed and correctly positioned under the span-wise battens.
5. Check that all sail seams are intact with no frayed stitching, particularly in high stress areas. (e.g. wing
tips, junction of keel pocket and sail etc.)
6. Check that the wing looks symmetrical with the correct shape. The battens should be correctly shaped
and undamaged. The washout should appear even on each wing. If not do not fly, find out why and
correct before flight. (See TR UBLE SH TING page 27.)
7. All nuts and bolts secure.
8. All quick release fittings secure:
Cross tube tensioner.
Nose catch (check the clevis pin and split ring as well).
Tip compression struts correctly located on the leading edge.
Quick pins and rings secure on bottom bar.
utboard leading edge section fully engaged. (Be especially vigilant if the L/E has been short
packed recently.)
9. Cross tube tensioner strop not frayed and twist free.
10. Batten tensions symmetrical on both sides of the glider.
11. Hang loops in good condition, connection to hang point pivot arm secure and pivot arm rotated
perpendicular to the keel.
12. Unzip the under surface and check the centre junction. With your fingers check that the cross tube centre
bolts are secure. Check that all webbing loops are in good condition. Sight down the cross tubes and
check they are undamaged.
13. Check the four nose plate bolts are secure.
14. Walking along the length of the leading edges feel with your fingers to check that they are free from
dents. Check that there is a similar leading edge curvature on both leading edges when looking down the
inside of the wing from the nose towards each wing tip.
15. Check through the inner washout rod zip to ensure that the wing wire and cross tube leading edge bolts
are secure. Looking the other way also check that the washout rod support wires are not twisted around
the washout rods. (If this is inadvertently done is will cause a bad turn.)
16. Check that the keel is straight. Check that the tensioning strop and top rear wire is secure, correctly fitted
and that the split ring is in place. As shown in the earlier diagram.
17. Check that the wires are undamaged. Look out for corrosion and fraying. Pay particular attention to
inspection of the side wires as, in normal flight, these are the most heavily loaded. INS ECT BOTH
ENDS: THE BASE BAR END AND THE CROSS TUBE JUNCTION END. REMEMBER: IF
IN DOUBT DO NOT FLY- RETURN YOUR GLIDER FOR A THOROUGH STRI DOWN.
18. Check operation of the VB: Pull the VB rope and check that it pulls on smoothly and releases. If it is
jammed check and release if caught. It may be necessary to unzip the centre zip and pull the cross tube
centre forwards to get the VB to release while on the ground.
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