Axis VEGA II Manual

Vega II 1
VEGA II
PILOT'S MANUAL
Thank you for taking the time to read this booklet.

Vega II 2
CONTENTS
1. Introduction
2. Pre flight
Pre-delivery inspection
Brake-line lengths
Weight range
Pre-flight safety
3. Flying the Vega II
a. Normal flight
Pre-flight inspection
Launch
Flight
Landing
b. Losing altitude
Big ears
B-line stall
Spiral dive
c. Dealing with turbulence
Asymmetric collapse
Symmetric collapse
Deep stall
Full stall
Negative spin
4. Care, maintenance and repairs
Ground-handling
UV damage
Storage
Repairs
5. Technical details
Certification
Technical data
Line plan
Specification of materials
6. About Axis

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1. INTRODUCTION
When setting out to design our next-generation cross-country glider we had a clear
target: we wanted to create the best paraglider possible for discerning sports and
recreational pilots. Pilots who want top performance and sensitive handling, but who
rightly demand ever more security.
The Vega II is that glider, keeping the comfortable but precise characteristics of the
original Vega while improving on the glider’s already high performance and safety
margins.
With an internal structure based on the successful Mercury competition glider the
Vega II includes our unique differential speed system. This means pilots can achieve a
good sink-rate at half or one-third speed bar, and maintain good stability at maximum
speed: in short, it gives the glider excellent usable speed.
The Vega II is an intermediate-performance glider (EN-C, corresponding to DHV2 or
AFNOR Performance) and is meant for qualified pilots who hold a full paragliding pilot
licence. It is designed as an ideal cross-country glider, suitable for experienced pilots
who fly regularly and who will enjoy a performance glider with good safety
characteristics.
This manual provides information about the glider, which will help you to fly safely
and keep your wing in good condition. If after reading this manual you have any
further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us or any authorised Axis dealer.
Thank you for choosing the new Vega II from Axis.
www.axispara.cz
www.axispara.co.uk
SAFETY NOTICE
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 Axis nor the seller of Axis 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, Axis dealer or the Axis importer in your country.

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2. PRE FLIGHT
Pre-delivery inspection
The Vega II is delivered with a rucksack, inner bag, compression strap and this manual.
The dealer or your instructor should have made a test inflation and test flight before
delivery to you.
Brake-line length
When you receive your new Vega II, the brake-line length is set the same as the Axis
test glider. This length has been finely tuned by Axis test pilots and it should not be
necessary to adjust it.
If you feel it is necessary to adjust the brake-line length to suit physical build, height of
harness hang points, or style of flying we recommend you test-fly the glider after every
20mm of adjustment.
There should always be free brake travel when the glider is flown hands-up. This
means when you look at your brake lines in flight with your hands up, there should be
a slight bow, or arc, to the line – the brake lines should not be tight. This is to prevent
the brakes being applied when the speed-system is used.
Brake lines that are too short:
May lead to fatigue from flying with your hands in an unnatural position
May impede recovery from certain manoeuvres
Will certainly reduce your glider's speed range.
Brake lines that are too long will:
Reduce pilot control during launch
Reduce control in extreme flying situations
Make it difficult to execute a good flare when landing.
Each break line should be tied securely to its control handle with a suitable knot.
Other adjustments or changes to your Vega II lead to a loss of guarantee, airworthiness
and validity of EN certification and may endanger both yourself and others.
If you have any suggestions on improvements let us know and our test pilots will try
out your ideas in a controlled situation.

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Weight range
The Vega II must only be flown within the certified weight range as shown in this
manual. The weight range quoted is the total in-flight weight which includes pilot,
glider, harness, clothing and accessories.
Pre-flight safety
Before flying this glider you should:
Have the appropriate practical and theoretical training
Have the required licence and insurance
Be fit to fly and unaffected by stress or drugs
Wear a suitable helmet
Use a suitable harness and emergency parachute
Make a thorough pre-flight check.

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3. FLYING THE VEGA II
We recommend you practice inflating your glider before flying it, and make your first
flights in gentle conditions on a familiar flying site.
A. Normal flight
Pre-flight check
A proper pre-flight check is essential for safe flying.
Before launch lay the glider out into a slight arc and check that:
Cell openings are free of obstructions
Lines are free of tangles or knots
No twigs, grass or other objects are tangled in the lines
Risers are correctly connected
Brake lines run freely through the pulleys
Knots on brake handles are secure
Carabiners on risers are closed and/or tightened
Launch
The key to successful launching is to practice ground-handling on flat ground as often
as possible. The Vega II inflates easily and steadily using forward or reverse launch
techniques. There is no tendency to overshoot the pilot. To forward (alpine) launch in
light or nil wind there is no need to pull the risers hard. Allow the glider to stabilise
overhead and run positively forward checking the canopy is fully inflated and clear of
any knots or tangles. Reverse launching is recommended in strong wind.
Flight
The best glide speed in calm air is achieved in the hands-up position. The best sink rate
is produced with both brake lines drawn down equally to about 20% of their range.
Turning
The handling characteristics of the Vega II require no special or non-standard
procedures. Brake pressure is progressive. This gives a responsive and sporty feel to
the handling. In an emergency (e.g. a broken brake line) the Vega II can be
manoeuvred by steering carefully with the rear risers or by weight shift.
Using the speed system
The speed system on the Vega II comes supplied with Brummel hooks ready to attach
to your own speedbar of choice. When you have done this, check the speed system

Vega II 7
runs smoothly by hanging in your harness before flying. In particular check that the
speed system won’t be engaged when in normal flight. Unnecessary knots and loops
in a speed system are not recommended.
Maximum useable speed is one of the strong points of Axis paragliders and the Vega II
is no exception. However, in spite of this exceptional stability, any collapse at full
speed will be more severe than the same event experienced at trim speed. Always
keep both hands on the controls when flying fast and be ready to release the speed
system immediately at the first sign of a collapse. Use the speed system carefully when
flying close to the ground or the terrain.
Landing
On your first flights you may be surprised at how well the Vega II glides. Take account
of this when making your landing approach and give yourself the opportunity for S-
turns or a longer approach than you might be used to.
For a normal, into-wind landing evenly pull the brakes all the way down when you are
about one metre from the ground. Under nil-wind conditions, or if you are forced to
make an emergency downwind landing, a wrap on each brake will allow you to make a
stronger flare.
B. Losing altitude
Most pilots will, at some time, want to lose height. This may be because of a change in
the weather, you are at cloudbase and don’t want to go any higher, or simply because
you want to finish your flight quickly.
Ideally, the best way to lose height is to find an area of sink and stay in it. This way you
can fly normally to the ground. However, if there is no sink, or if you are in strong lift
and want to go down, a rapid descent method may be needed.
There are three main rapid descent methods:
Big ears
B-line stall
Spiral dive
Each of these descent methods places extra, different stresses on gliders and should
be avoided if you want to extend the life of the glider.
It is important these manoeuvres are initially practiced under qualified supervision and
preferably during a safety training course.

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Big ears
This is the easiest and safest technique for descent while maintaining forward speed.
Depending on how much of the wing-tip you deflate, 3m/s to 6m/s sink rate can be
achieved. While in big ears your forward speed can be increased by using the speed
system.
The Vega II can be steered with big ears in by weight-shift alone.
Initiation:Reach up as high as possible and take hold of the outer A-line on each side
of the glider. Pull one in first, maintain direction, and then pull in the second. Hold
them in firmly. Make sure the lines are pulled down equally on each side and your big
ears are even.
Recovery:Under normal circumstances the ears will come out on their own when the
lines are released. Opening may be accelerated by slightly pumping the brakes.
B-line stall
This is an effective way of making a rapid descent but doesn’t allow any forward
speed.
Initiation:Take hold of the B-risers just below the maillons and smoothly pull them
down, twisting your hands until the canopy shows a span-wise crease at the B-line
attachment points. It is difficult to pull at first but becomes easier as the aerofoil
creases. Your sink rate will increase while your forward speed will reduce to practically
zero. Don’t release the lines immediately - the glider should be left to settle before
releasing.
Recovery:Let go of the risers smoothly but determinedly and symmetrically. The Vega
II automatically returns to normal flight without any deep stall tendencies but may
dive slightly forward. If the risers are released slowly and very unevenly the glider
could start to spin.
Spiral dive
The spiral dive is the most effective way of making a fast descent. During the spiral
dive the pilot and glider will experience strong centrifugal forces which strain the
glider. As such it should be considered an extreme manoeuvre.
Initiation:Weight shift and smoothly pull on one brake so the glider goes from a
normal 360-degree turn into a steep turn and from there into a spiral dive. Once
established in the spiral the descent rate and bank angle can be controlled with
weight shift and the outer brake.

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Recovery: The Vega II recovers from a spiral spontaneously as soon as the brakes are
released and weight shift returns to neutral. To exit allow the spiral to slow for a turn
or two by applying outer brake and weight shift then release smoothly. Always finish a
spiral dive at a safe altitude.
C. Flying in turbulent conditions
Deflations can occur when flying in turbulence but in most situations the Vega II will
stabilise without pilot input. Flying with a little brake applied equally will help to
prevent deflations and allow you to experience more direct feedback.
Active flying will help avoid deflations. The aim is to keep the glider above your head
in all situations by responding correctly to the glider's movements by using the brakes
and weight shift.
It is important these manoeuvres are initially practiced under qualified supervision and
preferably during a safety training course.
Asymmetric collapse
The Vega II will normally re-inflate after an asymmetric collapse without input from the
pilot, but the wing will turn towards the collapsed side. You should always maintain
course and direction by weight-shifting away from the collapsed side. This can be
reinforced by applying a small amount of brake on the opposite side to the deflation. If
the collapse stays in, the collapsed side can be re-inflated by pumping the brake on
the collapsed side in a firm and smooth manner.
If you experience a big collapse while accelerated the canopy will fall behind you due
to the difference in inertia between you and the canopy. You must wait until you
pendulum back under the canopy before dealing with the deflation. Reacting too early
can risk stalling the glider completely. Release the speed-bar immediately if you have a
big collapse during accelerated flight and, while keeping weightshift neutral, apply
slight brake to the open side. Let the glider enter a turn if space allows in order to
avoid a spin or stall.
Symmetric collapse
A symmetric, or frontal, collapse will normally reopen without any pilot input. The
Vega II will regain airspeed with a small surge. Be careful not to brake while the glider
is behind you as this could induce a stall.
Deep stall
The Vega II has no tendency to either get into, or stay in, a deep stall. If the glider does
enter a deep stall, accelerate the glider out of the deep stall by either pushing on the
A-risers or by using the speed bar. Never try to steer out of a deep stall. A wet glider

Vega II 10
has a higher tendency to deep stall, so if you pass through rain accelerate a little and
avoid using big-ears until the glider is dry.
Full stall
This is an extreme manoeuvre that should rarely, if ever, be required. To induce a full
stall take one or two wraps of the brake lines and pull both of them down smoothly.
Hold them down, locking your arms under your seat until the canopy falls behind you
and deforms into a characteristic crescent shape. In a stable full stall the canopy will
oscillate back and forth. Be careful not to release the brakes prematurely or
asymmetrically.
The Vega II recovers from a full stall automatically after the brakes are released. During
correct recovery, where the brakes are let up a little to allow air to enter the glider prior
to being released when the glider is in front of you, the Vega II shows no tendency to
surge strongly in front of the pilot.
If the brakes are released prematurely or too quickly there is a possible tendency for
the glider to surge. This can be corrected by simultaneous equal braking on both sides.
Be careful not to release the brakes asymmetrically as this can cause a large
asymmetric collapse followed by a tendency to enter a spin.
Negative spin
Should a spin occur the Vega II is capable of recovering automatically when the brakes
are released. As the glider surges forward slow it down with the brakes to avoid the
possibility of an asymmetric collapse. Always wait for the glider to be in front of you or
above you - never brake while it is behind you as this can risk a stall.
Remember: A wrong manoeuvre at the wrong time may change a straightforward
situation into a dangerous problem. Extreme manoeuvres also expose your glider to forces
which may damage it. Practice these techniques under adequate supervision preferably
during a safety training course.

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4. CARE, MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS
The materials used to construct your Vega II have been carefully chosen for maximum
durability. If you treat your glider carefully and follow these guidelines it will last you a
long time. Excessive wear can occur by bad ground-handling, careless packing,
unnecessary exposure to UV light, exposure to chemicals, heat and moisture.
Ground-handling
Choose a suitable area to launch your glider. Lines caught on roots or rocks
lead to unnecessary strain on the attachment tabs during inflation. Snagging
lines may rip the canopy fabric or damage lines.
When landing, never let the canopy fall on its leading edge. The sudden
pressure increase can severely damage the air-resistant coating of the canopy
as well as weaken the ribs and seams.
Dragging the glider over grass, soil, sand or rocks, will significantly reduce its
lifetime and increase its porosity.
When preparing for launch or when ground-handling, be sure not to step on
any of the lines or the canopy fabric.
Don't tie any knots in the lines.
UV damage
Protect your canopy and lines from unnecessary exposure to sunlight.
Storage
Avoid packing your glider when it is wet. If there's no other way, then dry it as
soon as possible away from direct sunlight. Be careful to avoid storing your
canopy when damp or wet: this is the most common reason for canopy
degradation.
Don't let your glider come into contact with seawater. If it does, rinse the lines,
canopy and risers with fresh water and dry it away from direct sunlight before
storing.
After flight or when storing, always use the inner protection sack.
When storing or during transport make sure your glider isn't exposed to
temperatures higher than 50°C.
Never let the glider come into contact with chemicals. Clean the glider with
clean lukewarm water only. Never clean using abrasives.
For long-term storage don't pack the glider too tightly. Leave the rucksack zip
open when possible to allow any moisture to evaporate.

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Repairs
Small holes in the canopy can be repaired using adhesive tape.
Larger repairs or cell replacement should only be carried out by the
manufacturer’s authorised agent.
Damaged lines should be replaced by your Axis dealer. When a new line has
been fitted always check its length against its counterpart on the opposite side
of the wing. After replacing a line always inflate the glider on flat ground to
check that everything is in order before flying.
After tree or water landings always examine the glider carefully. If you suspect
the glider may be damaged in any way contact your nearest authorised Axis
supplier.
After 100 hours of flying or two years, whichever is sooner, your Vega II must be
checked and tested by the manufacturer’s authorised agent.

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5. TECHNICAL DETAILS
Based on the highly successful Vega, the Vega II has a slightly changed profile with
improved shaping of the wingtips to reduce drag and give better performance.
The aspect ratio of 5.75, the high number of cells (65), and the reduced total line
length gives the Vega II its proven high performance.
The inner structure is a direct development from Axis’s Mercury competition glider
with every third rib reinforced. The changes in the internal structure mean higher
passive safety. The canopy is reinforced by tapes which connect attachment points
inside the cells – this prevents distortion and helps the canopy keep its form.
A new line system helps to reduce the length of the main lines. The brake attachments
have been moved to the trailing edge to create more precise handling and feedback.
All the stitching is on the inside of the canopy for greater protection.
Testing and certification
The Vega II has passed certification EN-C (Vega II small passed EN-B). The certification
of each canopy and its serial number is found on the wingtip label. Certification is valid
for all harnesses of ABS type. This type of harness allows a certain degree of
adjustment to be made to the length of the waist strap. The recommended distance
between the carabiners is 42cm.
In common with all other paragliders, when cross-bracing is looser than the
recommended 42cm, weight-shift control increases and the glider feels more
sensitive. However, automatic recovery from a collapse when using slack cross-bracing
can be slower and more unpredictable. When cross-bracing is tighter, the pilot feels
more stable but the effectiveness of weight-shift is less effective.
The Vega II has been designed for hill and/or tow launches. It is not a paramotor wing.
The use of a power unit, paramotor or motor with the Vega II has not been tested by
the manufacturer or by the testing authority.

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Technical specification
XS S M L XL
Flat area (m2) 20.87 23.26 25.77 28.96 32.91
Flat span (m) 10.95 11.56 12.17 12.90 13.75
Flat aspect ratio 5.75 5.75 5.75 5.75 5.75
Projected area (m2) 18.21 20.29 22.48 25.26 28.70
Projected span (m) 8.96 9.45 9.95 10.55 11.24
Projected aspect ratio 4.40 4.40 4.40 4.40 4.40
Maximum wing chord (m) 2.41 2.55 2.68 2.84 3.03
Minimum wing chord (m) 0.43 0.46 0.48 0.51 0.54
Number of cells 65 65 65 65 65
Weight range (kg) 65-80 70-95 85-110 100-130 125-170
Minimum speed (km/h) 23 23 23 23 23
Trim speed (km/h) 39 39 39 39 39
Accelerated speed (km/h) 56 56 56 56 56
Minimum sink rate 1 1 1 1 1
Glide ratio 9.1 9.1 9.1 9.1 9.2
Glider weight (exc bag, kg) 4.9 5.4 5.9 6.5 7.4
Homologation EN-C EN-B EN-C EN-C none

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Line plan

Vega II 16
Line Schedule
AXIS VEGA II
XS, S, M, L Line length after sewing -under 5 daN.
Name Quant. Liros PPSL XS S M L
A1 2 120 2405 2538 2661 2823
A2 2 120 2306 2434 2551 2706
A3 2 120 2306 2434 2551 2706
A4 2 120 2263 2389 2503 2655
A5 2 120 2164 2284 2394 2540
A6 2 120 2161 2281 2392 2537
A7 2 120 1223 1291 1353 1435
A8 2 120 1114 1176 1233 1307
A9 2 120 1036 1093 1146 1217
A10 2 120 952 1005 1054 1118
AM1 2 120 1458 1539 1612 1709
AM2 2 120 1458 1539 1612 1709
AA1 2 200 4555 4808 5040 5350
AA2 2 200 4555 4808 5040 5350
AA3 2 160 3993 4215 4445 4715
B1 2 120 2316 2445 2564 2720
B2 2 120 2228 2352 2465 2615
B3 2 120 2228 2352 2465 2615
B4 2 120 2180 2301 2411 2558
B5 2 120 2085 2201 2308 2448
B6 2 120 2088 2204 2310 2450
B7 2 120 1171 1236 1295 1374
B8 2 120 1075 1135 1190 1262
B9 2 120 1009 1065 1116 1184
B10 2 120 941 993 1041 1104
BM1 2 120 1458 1539 1612 1709
BM2 2 120 1458 1539 1612 1709
BB1 2 200 4555 4808 5040 5350
BB2 2 200 4555 4808 5040 5350
BB3 2 160 3993 4215 4445 4715
C1 2 120 2353 2484 2604 2761
C2 2 120 2261 2387 2501 2653
C3 2 120 2264 2390 2504 2656
C4 2 120 2207 2330 2443 2592
C5 2 120 2114 2231 2339 2481
C6 2 120 2114 2231 2339 2481
C7 2 120 1196 1262 1323 1403
C8 2 120 1095 1156 1212 1285
C9 2 120 1023 1080 1132 1200
C10 2 120 951 1004 1052 1116
XS S M L

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CM1 2 120 1458 1539 1612 1709
CM2 2 120 1458 1539 1612 1709
CC1 2 160 4565 4818 5050 5360
CC2 2 160 4565 4818 5050 5360
CC3 2 160 3993 4215 4445 4715
Stab 2 160 5161 5448 5712 6060
D1 2 120 2463 2600 2735 2902
D2 2 120 2360 2491 2620 2780
D3 2 120 2360 2491 2620 2780
D4 2 120 2297 2425 2552 2710
D5 2 120 2189 2311 2433 2582
D6 2 120 2186 2307 2428 2576
D7 2 120 1304 1376 1443 1530
D8 2 120 1191 1257 1317 1398
D9 2 120 1101 1162 1218 1291
D10 2 120 1000 1056 1107 1174
DD1 2 160 4565 4818 5050 5363
DD2 2 160 4565 4818 5050 5363
A11 2 120 485 512 536 568
SA 2 120 399 421 441 467
SB 2 120 920 971 1018 1079
SC 2 120 958 1011 1059 1123
S 2 120 549 580 608 644
R1 2 120 2430 2565 2688 2851
R2 2 120 2213 2336 2449 2598
R3 2 120 2037 2150 2254 2393
R4 2 120 1958 2067 2167 2298
R5 2 120 2046 2160 2262 2398
R6 2 120 1936 2044 2143 2273
R7 2 120 1871 1975 2070 2197
R8 2 120 1864 1968 2062 2188
R9 2 120 1826 1927 2019 2142
R10 2 120 1770 1868 1959 2080
R11 2 120 1762 1860 1950 2067
R12 2 120 1772 1870 1960 2079
R13 2 120 1166 1231 1290 1368
R14 2 120 1096 1157 1213 1287
R15 2 120 1036 1093 1146 1215
R16 2 120 1001 1057 1108 1175
RR1 2 160 2279 2406 2522 2676
RR2 2 160 2089 2205 2311 2452
RR3 2 160 2089 2205 2311 2452
RR4 2 160 2658 2806 2940 3121
RR 2 DFLS200 3169 3345 3500 3700

Vega II 18
Specification of materials
Canopy
Upper surface: Porcher Sport: Skytex 9017 E77A, water-repellent, 40 g/m2
Lower surface: Porcher Sport: Skytex 9017 E77A, water-repellent, 40 g/m2
Ribs: Porcher Sport: Skytex 9017 E29A, hard finish, 40 g/m2
Reinforcement: Porcher Sport: SR Scrim-2420
Thread: Bonded nylon D60, D40
Suspension system
Lines
LIROS: Dyneema PPSL 120/1.15, minimum strength 120 daN
(Explainer: Dyneema power polyethylene serial line, 120kg breaking strain, 1.15mm
diameter, minimum strength circa 120kg)
LIROS: Dyneema PPSL 160/1.40, minimum strength 160 daN
LIROS: Dyneema PPSL 200/1.42, minimum strength 200 daN
LIROS: Dyneema PPSL 275/1.90, minimum strength 275 daN (XL and tandem)
LIROS: Dyneema DFLS 200/1.42, minimum strength 200 daN
Risers:
Mouka Tišnov: PES Pre-stretched polyester, minimum strength 2000 daN
Maillons:
Elair Servis: Niro triangle 4/200, minimum strength 200 daN
Speedsystem pulleys:
Riley Fittings Australia: RM 302

Vega II 19
6. ABOUT AXIS
Axis started to design and make paragliders in 2001. Success swiftly followed and now
many of the world’s best competition pilots choose to fly Axis. They have won podium
places at competitions around the world, including at recent World Cup events and
the World Championships.
The lessons learned from these thousands of hours of competition success have been
used to develop the Vega II, a new generation of glider.
We welcome feedback from you about your new Vega II. Send it to us at
[email protected] or [e-mail] (UK pilots).
Please note
We have made every effort to ensure that the information in this manual is correct but
please remember it is for guidance only. It is not a training manual. It must not be used
as a substitute for proper training under the direction of an approved body.
The manual is subject to change without prior notice. Check the websites for updates
and the latest information regarding Axis products.
Enjoy your Vega II !
www.axispara.cz
www.axispara.co.uk
Produced by www.axispara.co.uk, September 2007
Revised January 2009 rev/01