Gin Bolero Plus User manual

Bolero PlusOwners Manual
Please read this manual prior to your first flight with the Bolero Plus -Page 3

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ThankYou…
Thank you for choosing the Bolero Plus. We are confident that this paraglider will provide you
with countless happy experiences as you progress in your flying career. This manual contains
all the information you need to fly and maintain your paraglider. A thorough knowledge of your
equipment will keep you safe and enable you to maximize your full potential.
Please pass on this manual to the new owner if you do resell your glider.
Happy Flights and Safe Landings,
The GIN Team
SafetyNotice
By the purchase of our 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 GIN equipment greatly
increases these risks. Neither Gin Gliders Inc nor the seller of GIN 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, GIN reseller or the importer in
your country.

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Contents
ThankYou….................................................................................................................................2
Safety Notice...............................................................................................................................2
1. Gin Gliders.................................................................................................................................4
2. Introducing the Bolero Plus......................................................................................................5
ForPilotsWho… ..........................................................................................................................5
Cutting-edgeDesign.....................................................................................................................5
Manufacturing.............................................................................................................................6
3. Before you Fly...........................................................................................................................7
Pre-delivery Inspection................................................................................................................7
SpeedSystem..............................................................................................................................7
Brakelineadjustment...................................................................................................................7
Rucksack.....................................................................................................................................8
Yourharness...............................................................................................................................9
CertifiedWeightRange.................................................................................................................9
Pre-flightsafety..........................................................................................................................9
4. Flying the Bolero Plus.............................................................................................................10
Preparationforlaunch................................................................................................................10
Takeoff.....................................................................................................................................10
Lineknotsortangles..................................................................................................................11
MinSink/bestglide...................................................................................................................11
Acceleratedflight ......................................................................................................................11
ActiveFlying .............................................................................................................................11
Inturbulence.............................................................................................................................11
Losingaltitude ..........................................................................................................................13
Steeringwithoutbrakes .............................................................................................................14
Aerobatics.................................................................................................................................14
LandingwiththeBoleroPlus.......................................................................................................15
Towlaunch................................................................................................................................15
Motorizedflight.........................................................................................................................15
5. Care, Maintenance and Repairs..............................................................................................16
Ground handling ........................................................................................................................16
UVdamage ................................................................................................................................16
Packinginstructions...................................................................................................................16
TransportandStorage................................................................................................................16
Cleaning....................................................................................................................................17
Inspections ...............................................................................................................................17
Repairs.....................................................................................................................................17
6. Reference ................................................................................................................................18
TestingandCertification.............................................................................................................18
Technical Specifications..............................................................................................................19
LinePlan...................................................................................................................................20

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1.GinGliders
Gin Gliders was formed in 1998 by paraglider designer and competition pilot Gin Seok Song and
his team of engineers and test pilots.
Gin’s philosophy is simple: to design gliders that he, and any other pilot, loves to fly. This
philosophy applies equally for an entry-level wing such as the Bolero Plus, as for the world-
beating competition glider, the Boomerang. No glider is released to the market without Gin’s
complete satisfaction.
Gin has over 15 years’ experience of designing and manufacturing paragliders, and is backed by
an equally experienced team, both within the company in Korea and throughout a worldwide
network of distributors and dealers. The “GIN Team” has won the Paragliding World Cup every
year from 1998 to 2002 and has had countless other competition successes in World Cups,
World and National Championships. This high level of expertise provided by dedicated
professionals ensures that you get the best possible product support and after sales service.

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2.Introducing theBolero Plus
The Bolero Plus is a new concept in an entry-level wing. Designer Gin Seok Song has drawn on
all his years of experienceto produce a wing that is uniquely in tune with the needs of today’s
pilots. The Bolero Plus offers outstanding security, with precise but forgiving handling. This
allows the pilot to accurately feel the sensations of flight, and thus develop an active flying
style.Rapid progression up the learning curve is enabled, as the pilot becomes well acquainted
with the myriad of different movements and moods of the air. The Bolero Plus will allow you to
experience the full pleasure of free flight, without ever compromising your safety.
ForPilotsWho…
The Bolero Plus is an ideal first glider, and is also suitable for the more experienced club pilot
who flies infrequently and wants a good performing glider with the highest safety margin. The
Bolero Plus is designed for all kinds of flying, from the first steps at the paragliding school
training slope via ridge soaring to thermaling and cross country.
Cutting-edgeDesign
Gin has made extensive improvements in the Bolero Plus compared to its predecessor, the
Bolero. Performance, take-off and handling characteristics have been improved without
sacrificing security.
Wind tunnel research and new software to optimize the shape of the leading edge has produced
an even cleaner airfoil.
A double reinforcement at the leading edge has been introduced. This improves take-off
characteristics, performance and increases the lifetime of the canopy.
The brake line layout features an extra upper line that gives the wing an even more precise feel.

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Weight and drag have also been reduced by reduction of the total length of line material used,
and the introduction of a new, hi-tech, light fabric.
These and other innovations ensure that by purchasing the Bolero Plus, you are getting the best
possible glider in its class.
Manufacturing
All GIN gliders are produced in thecompany’s own facilities using the most modern techniques.
Highly skilled staff take extreme care during the entire manufacturing process. Stringent
quality control is made after each step, and all materials that go into each wing can be traced.
These measures guarantee that pilots fly with the assurance that their wing meets the most
exacting safety standards.

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3. Before you Fly
Pre-deliveryInspection
The Bolero Plus is delivered with speed system, rucksack, inner bag, compression strap, repair
tape and this manual. Your instructor or dealer should have made a test inflation followed by a
test flight before delivery.
SpeedSystem
The speed system increases the maximum speed by lowering the angle of attack with a pulley-
guided, foot-operated system. Approx. 10 km/h gain in speed can be realized with the
accelerator at full travel.
It is important to have your accelerator system correctly routed through your harness and
attached to the risers with the supplied Brummel hooks. The length of the speed bar shouldbe
initially adjusted while on the ground, sitting in the harness so that the legs are fully extended
at the point of full accelerator travel. It is helpful to have an assistant hold the risers taut
while making this adjustment. Subsequent fine tuning can be done on the ground following the
first flight with the speed system. If in doubt about this procedure, consult your instructor or
dealer.
Riser ABCD
length at trim speed 48cm 48cm 48cm 48cm
length at full speed 37cm 39cm 43.5cm 48cm
Brakelineadjustment
The main brake line lengths of the Bolero Plus correspond to the tested results of DHV. These
line lengths have been fine tuned by GIN test pilots, and it should not be necessary to adjust
them.

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In soaring flight, it is common to fly with half a wrap on the brakes. However, care should be
taken to release the wraps in any extreme situation.
If you do need to make adjustments to suit your harness, body and flying style, we strongly
recommend that you test fly the glider with every 2cm of adjustment. There should be a
minimum of 10cm of free brake travel when the glider is flown hands-off.This preventsthe
brakes being applied unintentionally when the speed system is fully engaged. We recommend a
double sheepshank or a bowline knot for the brake handle attachment as shown in the diagram.
Rucksack
All Gin gliders are delivered with a durable ripstop Cordura rucksack, designed for ergonomic
carrying comfort and ease of use.
The rucksack should be packed carefully to achieve maximum comfort. First,place theglider
inside the harness and then put the top of harness in the bottom of the rucksack with the glider
side next to the back of the rucksack. Finally, tighten the internal and external compression
straps and adjust the shoulder and waist straps to ensure the equipmentstays firmly inplace
when walking. There are also two storage pockets for accessories.
An XXL rucksack (200L capacity) is available as an optional extra for pilots that require it.

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Yourharness
The Bolero Plus is certified foruse with all harnesses with variable cross-bracing (GH type).
99% of harnesses produced after 1993 are of the GH type. Older harnesses with fixed cross-
bracing (GX type) are not certified and should not be used. Check with the manufacturer of the
harness or your paragliding instructor if in doubt.
The adjustment of the harness chest strap controls the distance between carabiners and affects
the handling and stability of the glider. Tightening the chest strap increases stability,
lengthening it gives more feedback from the glider decreases stability.
Gin calculates and draws the planofthe glider with a distance between the carabinersof 44cm.
We recommend a setting a distance of 42cm to 50cm between the carabiners, depending on the
size and design of the harness. There is no need to fly with a tight chest strap setting with the
Bolero Plus, as there is no tendency for it to feel unstable, unlike older gliders.
CertifiedWeightRange
The Bolero Plus must be flown within the certified weight range given in the reference section
at the back of this manual. The weight range is quoted as the total weight in flight, i.e. the
weight of the pilot, glider, harness and accessories. The easiest way to check your total weight
is to stand on weighing scales with all yourequipment packed into your rucksack.
Pre-flightsafety
To fly this equipment you should:
Have appropriate practical and theoretical training and experience for this class of glider.
Have the necessary insurance and licences.
Be in your right mind, unaffected by extreme stress, recreational or prescribed drugs.
Only fly in conditions suitable for your level of paragliding.
Wear suitable head protection, use a certified harness and emergency parachute.
Make a thorough pre-flight check.

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4. Flying the BoleroPlus
We recommend that you first practice inflating your glider on a small training hill, or flat
ground. Make your first flights with your new paraglider in gentle conditions on a familiar
flying site.
Preparationforlaunch
Following a consistent method of preparation and pre-flight checks is vital for safe flying. We
recommend the following:
On arrival at the flying site, assess the suitability of the conditions: wind speed and
direction, airspace, turbulence and thermal cycles.
Inspect your glider, harness, reserve handle and pin, helmet and any other equipment.
Choose a sufficiently large take-off area with even ground and no obstacles.
Lay the glider out according to the planform, and get the lines and risers sorted out.
Secure yourself in your harness and don’t forget the leg loops! Put your helmet on.
Connect the risers to your harness carabiners, ensuring there are no twists or loops
around the lines.
Connect the speed system to the risers with the Brummel hooks.
Do a final line check by pulling gently on the risers or lines to ensure there are no new
knots, tangles or interfering branches or rocks. Take extra care in nil or light winds.
Pre-flightchecklist
Reserve parachute: pin in and handle secure.
Helmet and harness buckles closed.
Lines free.
Canopy open and into wind.
Airspace clear.
Takeoff
The key to a successful launch technique is to practice ground handling on flat ground whenever
you can.
Light or Nil Wind Launch
The Bolero Plus inflates steadily in nil-wind conditions. Simply guide the glider with the A-
risers, keeping your arms bent and hands at the level of the shoulders. Allow your arms to rise
in an arc and wait for the glider to inflate and come above your head –do not push the risers.
There is no need to pull the risers hard. Run positively as the glider comes above your head.
Be sure to look up and check that the canopy is fully inflated before you take-off, and that
there are no tangles in the lines. If any irregularity should occur and you’re not yet airborne,
abort the launch immediately by stalling the glider. On steep launches, stall one side of the
glider and run parallel to the hill.
If the glider should come up sideways, and the situation is recoverable, run towards the lower
side rather than trying to struggle against theforce.
An impulse launch where you start running with slack lines close to the glider is not needed.