NIVIUK GLIDERS SKIN 2 User manual

USER
MANUAL
SKIN 2

2
NIVIUK GLIDERS & AIR GAMES SL C/ DEL TER 6, NAVE D 17165 LA CELLERA DE TER - GIRONA - SPAIN
TEL. [phone] FAX [phone]
[email protected] www.niviuk.com
SKIN 2
Wherever, whenever
WELCOME
We wish to welcome you to our team and thank you for your condence in
our glider product line.
We would like to share the enthusiasm with which we created this wing
and the importance and care we took in the design and manufacture of
this new model in order to offer maximum pleasure on every ight with a
Niviuk glider.
Discover the second generation of the legendary Niviuk single-surface
wing, now EN/LTF certied. Designed to bridge the gap between
speedying mini-wings and conventional paragliders, the new Skin 2 is
the right choice for pilots looking for an agile and versatile wing, for any
adventure imaginable.
We are condent that you will enjoy ying this wing and will soon
understand the meaning of our motto:
‘The importance of small details’.
This is the user manual and we recommend you read it carefully.
The NIVIUK Team.
USER MANUAL
NIVIUK GLIDERS SKIN 2
This manual provides you with the necessary information on the main
characteristics of your new paraglider.
Whilst it provides information on the wing, it cannot be viewed as an
instructional handbook and does not offer the training required to y this
type of paraglider.
Training can only be obtained at a certied paragliding school and each
country has its own system of licensing.
Only the aeronautical authorities of respective countries can determine
pilot competence.
The information in this manual is provided in order to warn you against
adverse ying situations and potential dangers.
Equally, we would like to remind you that it is important to carefully read all
the contents of your new SKIN 2 manual.
Misuse of this equipment could lead to severe injuries or death. The
manufacturer and dealers cannot be held responsible for misuse of the
paraglider. It is the responsibility of the pilot to ensure the equipment is
used correctly.

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SUMMARY
WELCOME 2
USER MANUAL 2
1. CHARACTERISTICS 4
1.1 WHO IS IT DESIGNED FOR? 4
1.2 CERTIFICATION 4
1.3 IN-FLIGHT BEHAVIOUR 4
1.4 CONSTRUCTION, MATERIALS 4
1.5 ELEMENTS, COMPONENTS 6
2. UNPACKING AND ASSEMBLY 6
2.1 CHOOSING THE RIGHT LOCATION 6
2.2 PROCEDURE 7
2.3 CONNECTING THE HARNESS 7
2.4 HARNESS TYPE 7
2.5 CONNECTING THE HARNESS 7
2.6 USING THE SPEED-BAR 7
2.7 TRIMMERS 8
2.8 INSPECTION AND WING
INFLATION ON THE GROUND
2.9 ADJUSTING THE BRAKES
3. THE FIRST FLIGHT 8
3.1 CHOOSE THE RIGHT LOCATION 8
3.2 PREPARATION 8
3.3 FLIGHT PLAN 8
3.4 PRE-FLIGHT CHECK LIST 8
3.5 WING INFLATION, CONTROL
AND TAKE-OFF 8
3.6 LANDING 8
3.7 PACKING 9
4. IN FLIGHT 9
4.1 FLYING IN TURBULENCE 9
4.2 POSSIBLE CONFIGURATIONS 9
4.3 ACCELERATED FLIGHT 11
4.4 FLYING WITHOUT BRAKE LINES 11
4.5 LINE KNOT(S) IN FLIGHT 11
5. LOSING ALTITUDE 11
5.1 EARS 11
5.2 3B2 TECHNIQUE 12
5.3 B-LINE STALL 12
5.4 SPIRAL DIVE 13
5.5 SLOW DESCENT TECHNIQUE 13
6. SPECIAL METHODS 13
6.1 TOWING 13
6.2 ACROBATIC FLIGHT 13
7. CARE AND MAINTENANCE 13
7.1 MAINTENANCE 14
7.2 STORAGE 14
7.3 CHECKS AND INSPECTIONS 14
7.4 REPAIRS 14
8. SAFETY AND RESPONSIBILITY 14
9. GUARANTEE 14
10. TECHNICAL DATA 16
10.1 TECHNICAL DATA 16
10.2 MATERIALS DESCRIPTION 17
10.3 RISERS LAYOUT 18
10.4 LINE PLAN 19
10.5 LENGTHS SKIN 2 16 20
10.6 LENGTHS SKIN 2 18 20
10.7 LENGTHS SKIN 2 20 21

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1. CHARACTERISTICS
1.1 WHO IS IT DESIGNED FOR?
The SKIN 2 is designed for mountaineers, hike & y acionados and
those who love adventures. The wing’s excellent performance permits
exploration with lightweight and compact equipment, without ever
compromising the safety of the pilot.
Niviuk would like to reassure you that the SKIN 2 is not just a wing for
descending down mountains. Its good performance in thermals, glide
and speed make this model an easy to y paraglider and which is
accessible to pilots with some ight experience.
Only the aeronautical authorities of respective countries can determine
pilot competence.
1.2 CERTIFICATION
All sizes of the SKIN 2 (16m, 18m and 20m), were certied at the Swiss
testing house Air Turquoise S.A. in accordance with European norms: EN
926-1:2015 & LTF NFL II-91/09 chapter 3.
The results were:
Strength test: 10.860 N / 137,69 kg maximum load at 8 G.
Shock test: 800 daN
The SKIN 18m was certied to standards EN 926-2: 2013, EN 926-
1: 2015 & LTF 91/09 with a weight range of 70kg minimum to 90kg
maximum.
Certication: B
Certication reference: PG 1128.2016
We recommend pilots read the ight test report carefully. The report
contains all the necessary information on how the paraglider reacts
during each of the tested manoeuvres.
It is important to note that different sized wings will react differently
during manoeuvres. Even within the same size, at maximum or minimum
load, the behaviour and reactions of the wing may vary.
For further information on the ight test and the corresponding
certication number, please see the nal pages of this manual.
1.3 IN-FLIGHT BEHAVIOUR
Niviuk developed the SKIN 2 by adopting very specic goals: to continue
to achieve optimum performance while minimising weight and volume
in order to achieve an easily transportable wing; excellent handling; to
facilitate more control for the pilot; improve the are behaviour during
the landing phase and, above all, to obtain the best level of certication
whilst improving on the previous generation. The ight tests conrmed a
high degree of safety for this new wing concept.
We have succeeded in having the wing transmit the maximum feedback
in an understandable and comfortable way so that the pilot can focus on
piloting.
In all aspects of ight, the wing is very solid and stable. During glide and
when fully accelerated, the wing maintains altitude well. When gliding
the prole remains stable. Turning is precise and less physical, and the
turn is easily initiated. The wing is very easy to inate even in nil-wind, it
requires an extremely short takeoff (ideal especially in the mountains) and
provides a smooth and precise landing.
Flying this wing is very intuitive, with clear, usable feedback about the air
mass. It responds to the pilot’s inputs effectively and even in very thermic
and turbulent conditions it remains stable and solid.
The SKIN 2 ies efciently. It enters thermals with sufcient speed to
centre in the lift and climbs progressively. The handling is progressive

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and effective for even more ying pleasure under an exciting wing of
extraordinary quality.
It is lightweight, even lighter in ight and easy to pilot, with outstanding
turbulence buffering and a surprising range of speed for incredible glides.
1.4 CONSTRUCTION, MATERIALS
The SKIN 2 has details designed for greater pilot comfort and, on the
other hand, features for example SLE and TNT to improve performance.
Tiny pulleys are mounted on the speed-bar to reduce pilot effort and
improve the progressive speed-bar application.
Structured Leading Edge (SLE) - the use of the SLE considerably
reduces the amount of Mylar which was used in previous Niviuk wings
and this also reduces the weight of the leading edge. Therefore it is
easier to inate this wing than a paraglider without this system.
Titanium Technology (TNT) – a revolutionary technique using titanium.
Using Nitinol in the internal construction provides a more uniform prole
and reduces the weight to gain efciency in ight. Nitinol provides the
highest level of protection against deformation, heat or breaks. The
leading edge is more rigid and the wing surface remains perfectly taut,
without creases or parasitic drag. This optimises glide in all phases of the
ight. Because the exible rods always return to their original shape, the
integrity of the prole is never affected. Nitinol provides the highest level
of protection against deformation, heat or breaks.
Thanks to the application of this technology, the wing is more durable.
From Olivier Nef’s computer to fabric cutting, the operation does not
allow for even a millimetre of error. The cutting of each wing component
is performed by a rigorous, extremely meticulous automated computer
laser-cutting robotic arm. This program also paints the guideline markers
and numbers on each individual fabric piece, thus avoiding errors during
this delicate process.
The jigsaw puzzle assembly is made easier using this method and
optimises the operation while making the quality control more efcient.
All Niviuk gliders go through an extremely thorough and detailed nal
inspection. The canopy is cut and assembled under strict quality control
conditions facilitated by the automation of this process.
Every wing is individually checked with a nal visual inspection.
The fabric used guarantees lightness, strength and durability without
fading.
The lines are semi-automatically cut to length and all the sewing is
completed under the supervision of our specialists.
Every line is checked and measured once the nal assembly is
concluded.
Each glider is packed following specic maintenance instructions as
recommended by the fabric manufacturer.
Niviuk gliders are made of premium materials that meet the requirements
of performance, durability and certication that the current market
demands.
Information about the various materials used to manufacture the wing
can be viewed in the nal pages of this manual.
1.5 ELEMENTS, COMPONENTES
The SKIN 2 is delivered with a series of accessories that will greatly
assist you in the maintenance of your paraglider:
- A Kargo bag. This bag is large enough to hold all equipment
comfortably and with plenty of space.
- An inner bag to protect the wing during storage and transport.