Independence Spider User manual

Owner´s manual 23.06.2005
Harness Spider
With the Spider you got one of the most comfortable and most functional harnesses, which is available on the market at
present. We thank you for the confidence, for buying the Spider harness.
Please read this operating instructions carefully and consider, that Independence can not be made liable for accidents
and damage, which result from disregarding of the operating instructions.
-DHV certified back protector (P2)
-Passing-trough shoulder belts for optimal comfort
-maximum pilot weight: 120 kg
-unloaded weight: 4.5 kg
-seat position in flight adjustable
Technical description:
Overview:
Fly-market GmbH & Co. KG
Am Schönebach 3
D-87637 Eisenberg
Tel.: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
e-mail: [e-mail]
gliders for real pilots
independence
www.independence-world.com
f)
g)
b)
c)
f)
g)
a)
a)
d)
e)
g)
g)
h)
h)
i)
a) Rescue system container
b) Lateral chest-belt
c) Safety device lateral chest belt
d) Safe-T-System
e) Fixing loop for leg-strap (optional)
f) Main suspension
g) Attachment for towing release
h) Rings for speed-bar-line
i) Rescue system release-handle

1. Adjustment possibilities:
Adjustment possibilities exist at the shoulder belts, the chest belt, the lateral chest belts and the leg loops. By the
versatile adjusting possibilities of the Spider we recommend in any case that all adjustments are done in a simulator
before the first flight to guarantee an optimal seat comfort.
Adjusting of the chest belt:
The chest belt is closed with the Click-Lock-buckles. If the chest belt is closed, also the falling out safety device (Safe-T-
System) is closed. The Click-Lock-buckles must be closed audibly! The chest belt should not be tightened too closely.
Unintentional opening of this buckle is not possible, because both buttons at it´s side must be pressed at the same time to
open.
Adjusting of the shoulder belts:
Please note that with correct adjusting the shoulder belts are felt with light pressure on the shoulders. With the shoulder
belts you adjust the harness on the pilot´s height, but also you adjust the seat position between sitting and lying.
Adjusting of the lateral chest belts:
Adjusting the lateral chest belts takes place as third step and offers on the one hand again the variation of the seat position
between sitting and lying, on the other hand you adjust with the lateral chest belts the most comfortable seat position.
During adjusting it should be paid attention to the fact that the body load is distributed evenly on shoulder belt and lateral
chest belt. Please take care that the lateral chest belt is attached correctly to the main suspension´s carabiners as shown
at point c).
Adjusting of the leg loops:
When you put the harness on, please take care that the Click-Lock-buckles are closed correctly and audibly. The leg loops
should be fastened tight but should leave still enough space, for the starting and landing phase, where the legs should
have still some space to move.
Attaching the speed-bar:
The speed-bar runs from the riser as follows: rear ring at the lateral cover, rear pulley-roll at the seatboard, frontal pulley-
roll, frontal ring at the cover, small ring at the frontal edge of the seatboard.
You have to take care in any case, that the length of the speed-bar is adjusted so short, that the release of the
rescue-system is not hindered in any way (see illustration). Out of this reason the length of the speed-bar-line
have to be adjusted in a simulator before flight!
Attention: If you use an additional fixed leg-strap, you also have to take care, that the function of the rescue-
system-container under the seatboard is not hindered in any way!
If not in use, both the speed-bar and the leg-strap can cause the problem that they can be blown behind the
rescue-system-container, what makes a release of the rescue-system impossible!!
WRONG!!!
Leg-strap too deep!
Speed-bar
too deep!
Upper step
max. 5-8cm
under the frontal
edge of seatboard
Now the separable side of the legstrap is put through the upper, bigger metalring on the right side at the frontal
edge of the harness. The white loop runs first through the lower ring (a), and then through the upper ring (b) of
the legstrap. Then it gets fixed with the pin (c).
Attention:
By using this cut-away-system another part is added to the release-mechanism of the rescue-system, which
can hinder the release of the rescue-sytem, if it´s not attached or maintained correctly. Out of this reason the
function has to be checked in any case by a compatibilty-check.
Furthermore the function of the cut-away-mechanism has to be checked before every flight!
This is especially important if you use the leg-strap and and a speed-bar at the same time, because the speed-
bar´s line is running just a few centimeters below the release-band of the leg-strap´s cut-away mechanism.
Leg-strap
Speed-bar
Attaching a fixed leg-strap with cut-away-system:
By attaching a leg-strap with a cut-away-sytem, a release of the rescue-parachute cuts off the connection of the
legstrap automatically on one side. Thereby the rescue-parachute can be released correctly even if the length
of the legstrap is adjusted long.
Attaching like follows:
First the rescue-system have to be built-in as mentioned under point 2.
Then you have to attach the included release-band with pin for the cut-away-mechanism of the legstrap to the
release-handle of the rescue-system, as shown on the picture.
Finally the neopren-cover has to be put over the pin, and the rescue-release-handle has to be attached and
secured as mentioned under point 2. (Built-in of the rescue-system).
If an additional speed-bar is used at the same time, you have to take care that both systems (the lag-strap and
the speed-bar) are attached correctly and don´t hinder each other in any way, to be sure that both are working
properly.
(a)
(b)
(c)

1. Adjustment possibilities:
Adjustment possibilities exist at the shoulder belts, the chest belt, the lateral chest belts and the leg loops. By the
versatile adjusting possibilities of the Spider we recommend in any case that all adjustments are done in a simulator
before the first flight to guarantee an optimal seat comfort.
Adjusting of the chest belt:
The chest belt is closed with the Click-Lock-buckles. If the chest belt is closed, also the falling out safety device (Safe-T-
System) is closed. The Click-Lock-buckles must be closed audibly! The chest belt should not be tightened too closely.
Unintentional opening of this buckle is not possible, because both buttons at it´s side must be pressed at the same time to
open.
Adjusting of the shoulder belts:
Please note that with correct adjusting the shoulder belts are felt with light pressure on the shoulders. With the shoulder
belts you adjust the harness on the pilot´s height, but also you adjust the seat position between sitting and lying.
Adjusting of the lateral chest belts:
Adjusting the lateral chest belts takes place as third step and offers on the one hand again the variation of the seat position
between sitting and lying, on the other hand you adjust with the lateral chest belts the most comfortable seat position.
During adjusting it should be paid attention to the fact that the body load is distributed evenly on shoulder belt and lateral
chest belt. Please take care that the lateral chest belt is attached correctly to the main suspension´s carabiners as shown
at point c).
Adjusting of the leg loops:
When you put the harness on, please take care that the Click-Lock-buckles are closed correctly and audibly. The leg loops
should be fastened tight but should leave still enough space, for the starting and landing phase, where the legs should
have still some space to move.
Attaching the speed-bar:
The speed-bar runs from the riser as follows: rear ring at the lateral cover, rear pulley-roll at the seatboard, frontal pulley-
roll, frontal ring at the cover, small ring at the frontal edge of the seatboard.
You have to take care in any case, that the length of the speed-bar is adjusted so short, that the release of the
rescue-system is not hindered in any way (see illustration). Out of this reason the length of the speed-bar-line
have to be adjusted in a simulator before flight!
Attention: If you use an additional fixed leg-strap, you also have to take care, that the function of the rescue-
system-container under the seatboard is not hindered in any way!
If not in use, both the speed-bar and the leg-strap can cause the problem that they can be blown behind the
rescue-system-container, what makes a release of the rescue-system impossible!!
WRONG!!!
Leg-strap too deep!
Speed-bar
too deep!
Upper step
max. 5-8cm
under the frontal
edge of seatboard
Now the separable side of the legstrap is put through the upper, bigger metalring on the right side at the frontal
edge of the harness. The white loop runs first through the lower ring (a), and then through the upper ring (b) of
the legstrap. Then it gets fixed with the pin (c).
Attention:
By using this cut-away-system another part is added to the release-mechanism of the rescue-system, which
can hinder the release of the rescue-sytem, if it´s not attached or maintained correctly. Out of this reason the
function has to be checked in any case by a compatibilty-check.
Furthermore the function of the cut-away-mechanism has to be checked before every flight!
This is especially important if you use the leg-strap and and a speed-bar at the same time, because the speed-
bar´s line is running just a few centimeters below the release-band of the leg-strap´s cut-away mechanism.
Leg-strap
Speed-bar
Attaching a fixed leg-strap with cut-away-system:
By attaching a leg-strap with a cut-away-sytem, a release of the rescue-parachute cuts off the connection of the
legstrap automatically on one side. Thereby the rescue-parachute can be released correctly even if the length
of the legstrap is adjusted long.
Attaching like follows:
First the rescue-system have to be built-in as mentioned under point 2.
Then you have to attach the included release-band with pin for the cut-away-mechanism of the legstrap to the
release-handle of the rescue-system, as shown on the picture.
Finally the neopren-cover has to be put over the pin, and the rescue-release-handle has to be attached and
secured as mentioned under point 2. (Built-in of the rescue-system).
If an additional speed-bar is used at the same time, you have to take care that both systems (the lag-strap and
the speed-bar) are attached correctly and don´t hinder each other in any way, to be sure that both are working
properly.
(a)
(b)
(c)

Built-in of the back-protector:
It´s just allowed to use the therefore assigned back-protector P2. To built the P2 in or out just open the lateral cover of
the rescue-system-bridle. Now you see the zipper to the protector-bag.
By opening this zipper the protector P2 can be built in or out. You have to take care that the P2 is fixed against sliding
around in it´s bag. Therefore there are hook and loop fastener on the protector-bag and on the protector itself. In the
back area of the harness, in elongation of the lateral chest-belts is a belt inside the harness under which the back-
protector has to be put.
Tandem flights:
Towing:
.
Mounting the towing device:
The Spider harness is suitable as a passenger´s harness for biplace flights. It´s not suitable as pilots harness,
because the rescue container is too small for a biplace-reserve.
The Spider harness is generally suitable for towing
The towing device is mounted with suitable connecting links at the attachment points g) below the main suspension.
Note: The used connecting links must stand at least 150kp per side! If you are not sure about the mounting, an
authorized person or the manufacturer should be consulted.
Secure the handle:
To avoid an unintentional opening the DHV
prescribe to use a special thread to secure the
handle. This defines a minium opening force. This
special thread must be put through the white
loops at harness and handle. Both ends of this
thread are combined by a knot.
To secure it is only allowed to use certified material
because if the strength of this material is too high
the save operation of the rescue system is not
guaranteed.
This thread is supplied by Fly market GmbH & Co.
KG! Do not use other threads which may look the
same!
Attention:
After every installation of a rescue-system in a harness there must be a test if the opening force is between 2 and 5
daN. If harness and rescue parachute are combined the first time a compatibility check have to be done by a
authorized person!
Put the bridle into the container. It must be between
the inner-container and the harness. The connection
to the handle must be also between the inner-
container and the harness, as shown on the picture.
That means it has to be on the inner side. So you
can be sure that the rescue-system can be pulled
out easily.
Enclosed handle have to be attached as
short as possible at the inner container of
the rescue-system.
Bridle of the rescue-system have to be
connected with the bridle of the harness..
Close the container with two packing cords. First
the lateral container flaps are closed.
The connection of the handle runs between the
splitted lateral flaps.
You have to take care that the connection of the
handle is not hindered in any way and is still long
enough, so that you can be sure that the pull is
coming first on the yellow closing-cable and not on
the connection to the inner container.
Now close the frontal container flap, and fix it with
the yellow closing-cables. Never ever put the long
part of the cable through both loops!!!
Fix the handle with the two small hook+loop
fasteners to the harness and put the lower part of
the handle into the channel of the bridle.
Put in the flaps 1) and 2).
1)
2)
2. Built-in of the rescue-system:

Built-in of the back-protector:
It´s just allowed to use the therefore assigned back-protector P2. To built the P2 in or out just open the lateral cover of
the rescue-system-bridle. Now you see the zipper to the protector-bag.
By opening this zipper the protector P2 can be built in or out. You have to take care that the P2 is fixed against sliding
around in it´s bag. Therefore there are hook and loop fastener on the protector-bag and on the protector itself. In the
back area of the harness, in elongation of the lateral chest-belts is a belt inside the harness under which the back-
protector has to be put.
Tandem flights:
Towing:
.
Mounting the towing device:
The Spider harness is suitable as a passenger´s harness for biplace flights. It´s not suitable as pilots harness,
because the rescue container is too small for a biplace-reserve.
The Spider harness is generally suitable for towing
The towing device is mounted with suitable connecting links at the attachment points g) below the main suspension.
Note: The used connecting links must stand at least 150kp per side! If you are not sure about the mounting, an
authorized person or the manufacturer should be consulted.
Secure the handle:
To avoid an unintentional opening the DHV
prescribe to use a special thread to secure the
handle. This defines a minium opening force. This
special thread must be put through the white
loops at harness and handle. Both ends of this
thread are combined by a knot.
To secure it is only allowed to use certified material
because if the strength of this material is too high
the save operation of the rescue system is not
guaranteed.
This thread is supplied by Fly market GmbH & Co.
KG! Do not use other threads which may look the
same!
Attention:
After every installation of a rescue-system in a harness there must be a test if the opening force is between 2 and 5
daN. If harness and rescue parachute are combined the first time a compatibility check have to be done by a
authorized person!
Put the bridle into the container. It must be between
the inner-container and the harness. The connection
to the handle must be also between the inner-
container and the harness, as shown on the picture.
That means it has to be on the inner side. So you
can be sure that the rescue-system can be pulled
out easily.
Enclosed handle have to be attached as
short as possible at the inner container of
the rescue-system.
Bridle of the rescue-system have to be
connected with the bridle of the harness..
Close the container with two packing cords. First
the lateral container flaps are closed.
The connection of the handle runs between the
splitted lateral flaps.
You have to take care that the connection of the
handle is not hindered in any way and is still long
enough, so that you can be sure that the pull is
coming first on the yellow closing-cable and not on
the connection to the inner container.
Now close the frontal container flap, and fix it with
the yellow closing-cables. Never ever put the long
part of the cable through both loops!!!
Fix the handle with the two small hook+loop
fasteners to the harness and put the lower part of
the handle into the channel of the bridle.
Put in the flaps 1) and 2).
1)
2)
2. Built-in of the rescue-system:

DHV-Certification:
Life span, replacing time of construction units, repair hints:
The harness Spider was built for high loads and strong use. Accordingly, for the choice of the materials
particularly high criteria were set. However the life span depends also on the treatment of the harness by the
pilot, so we recommend to check the harness from time to time, if there are faulty or damaged parts, which
should be replaced or repaired then.
Especially take care of defective seams, which should be immediately repaired by an authorized workshop.
Further you have the possiblity to send us the harness for checking.
In order to prevent problems with the harness we recommend:
- avoid handling with fire and sharp edged articles near your harness.
- avoid unnecessarily long sun effect, because ultraviolet radiation destroys the molecular structure of the
material
- avoid the contact with seawater or acid liquids.
Maintenance and control:
The harness Spider is more or less maintenance-free. But regular control in short periods gives you the
guarantee of an unrestricted function of your belt system. Take particularly care that the Click-Lock-buckles stay
free of dirt. If needed you can oil the Click- Locks a little bit.