NIVIUK GLIDERS SKIN 3 User manual

SKIN 3
User’s manual

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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 3
THE NEXT PARAGLIDING EXPERIENCE
WELCOME
We wish to welcome you to our team and thank you for your condence in
our SKIN 3.
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 SKIN 3.
Forget everything you’ve seen and heard about single-surface gliders.
The new SKIN 3 brings together the best of two worlds, and for the rst
time a single-surface glider offers the characteristics and ying comfort
comparable to a conventional paraglider. Comfortable, stable, efcient and
although it may not seem possible, single-surface.
We are condent you will enjoy ying this glider and will soon discover the
meaning of our motto:
“The importance of small details”.
The NIVIUK Gliders Team.
USER’S MANUAL
NIVIUK Gliders SKIN 3
This manual provides you with the necessary information on the main
characteristics of your new SKIN 3.
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 undertaken 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 3 manual.
Misuse of this equipment could lead to severe injuries or death. The
manufacturers 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’S 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 ASSEMBLY, MATERIALS 5
1.5 ELEMENTS, COMPONENTS 6
2. UNPACKING AND ASSEMBLY 6
2.1 CHOOSE THE RIGHT LOCATION 6
2.2 PROCEDURE 6
2.3 CONNECTING THE HARNESS 7
2.4 TYPE OF HARNESS 7
2.5 SPEED BAR 7
2.6 TRIMMERS 9
2.7 INSPECTION AND WING
INFLATION ON THE GROUND 9
2.8 ADJUSTING THE BRAKES 9
3. THE FIRST FLIGHT 9
3.1 CHOOSE THE RIGHT PLACE 9
3.2 PREPARATION 9
3.3 FLIGHT PLAN 9
3.4 PRE-FLIGHT CHECK LIST 10
3.5 WING INFLATION, CONTROL,
AND TAKE-OFF 10
3.6 LANDING 10
3.7 PACKING 10
4. IN FLIGHT 11
4.1 FLYING IN TURBULENCE 11
4.2 POSSIBLE CONFIGURATIONS 11
4.3 ACCELERATED FLIGHT 13
4.4 FLYING WITHOUT BRAKE LINES 13
4.5 KNOT(S) IN FLIGHT 13
5. LOSING ALTITUD 14
5.1 BIG EARS 14
5.2 B3 THECNIQUE 14
5.3 B-LINE STALL 14
5.4 SPIRAL DIVE 15
5.5 SLOW DESCENT THECNIQUE 16
6. SPECIAL METHODS 16
6.1 TOWING 16
6.2 ACROBATIC FLIGHT 16
7. FOLDING INSTRUCTIONS 16
7.1 MANTINANCE 16
7.2 STORAGE 17
7.3 CHECK AND INSPECTION 17
7.4 REPAIRS 17
8. SAFETY AND RESPONSABILITY 18
9. GUARANTEE 18
10. ANNEXES 18
10.1 TECHNICAL DATA 20
10.2 MATERIALS DESCRIPTION 21
10.3 RISERS PLAN 22
10.4 SUSPENSION PLAN 23
10.5 DIMENSIONS SKIN 3 16 24
10.6 DIMENSIONS SKIN 3 18 24
10.7 DIMENSIONS SKIN 3 20 25
10.10 CERTIFICATION SPECIMEN TEST 26

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1. CHARACTERISTICS
1.1 WHO IS IT DESIGNED FOR?
Single-surface gliders are no longer just the preserve of extreme
mountaineers. The new SKIN 3 is an outstanding wing for any pilot
looking for the perfect balance between accessibility/performance and
lightness/durability.
1.2 CERTIFICATION
The SKIN 3 has been submitted for the European EN and LTF
certication.
All certication tests were performed at the Swiss testing house Air
Turquoise. All sizes passed the load and shock tests.
The load test proved that the wing can withstand the stipulated 8G.
The shock test proved that he wing can resist 800 daN of force.
The ight test resulted in the following certication for the sizes 18 and
20 of the SKIN 3:
EN B
LTF B
We recommend that only pilots who are familiar with gliders of this
certication or above y the SKIN 3.
Only the aeronautical authorities of respective countries can determine
pilot competence.
We recommend pilots read the ight test report carefully,
especially the comments of the test pilot. The report contains all the
necessary information on how the SKIN 3 reacts during each of the
tested manoeuvres.
It is important to note that different size wings will react differently during
manoeuvres. Even within the same size, at maximum or minimum load,
the behavior and reactions of the wing may vary.
- Description of EN B class wing characteristics:
SKIN 3 with a high degree of passive safety and very forgiving ight
characteristics. Gliders with high collapse resistance outside normal
ight.
- Description of the skills required by the pilot to y an EN B wing:
Designed for all pilots, including pilots under instruction.
For further information on the ight test and the corresponding
certication number, please see the nal pages of this manual or see
niviuk.com.
1.3 IN-FLIGHT BEHAIVOR
Niviuk developed this wing by adopting very specic goals: to improve
performance, excellent handling; to facilitate more control for the pilot.
To increase performance while maintaining the highest level of
safety. To ensure that the wing transmits the maximum feedback in
an understandable and comfortable way so that the pilot can focus
on piloting and enjoying the ight. And, with smooth handling, take
advantage of all favourable conditions.
In all aspects of ight, the wing is very solid and stable. The glide is
smooth, even when fully accelerated. During glides, the wing maintains
altitude and the wing remains stable. Improved turn precision means
handling is less physical and provides better feedback. Inating the wing
is much easier and gentler, without overshooting.
Flying this wing is very intuitive, with clear and useful feedback about the
airmass. It responds to the pilot’s inputs effectively and even in thermic
and turbulent conditions it remains stable and solid.

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The SKIN 3 ies efciently. It enters thermals with sufcient speed to
centre in the lift and climbs progressively. The handling is progressive
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 ASSEMBLY, MATERIALS
The SKIN 3 has all the technological innovations used on other Niviuk
gliders and is built with the most careful selection of current materials. It
has all the current technology and accessories available to improve pilot
comfort whilst increasing safety and performance. In the design of all
Niviuk products the team aims to ensure development and continuous
improvement. The technologies developed in recent years have allowed
us to develop greater, better wings. It is in this context that we would like
to introduce the technologies included in this new model.
RAM Air Intake - this system is characterised by the arrangement of the
air inlets, to ensure optimal maintenance of internal pressure. Thanks to
this design, we were able to reduce their size, while maintaining the same
air ow at all angles to improve laminar ow. More consistency across
the whole speed range and better performance without compromising on
safety.
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.
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.
3D Pattern Cut Optimisation (3DP) – the latest generation of wings
require a new fabric panel pattern and cutting system. Creating separate
panels for each of the sections at the front of the wing means the sail
fabric is more taut and crease-free. During the cutting, the optimal
orientation of the fabric section is selected, depending on its nal
location. If the fabric pattern is properly aligned with the axes of load, it
suffers less deformation after repeated use, to the long-term benet of
the leading edge.
3D Leading Edge (3DL) - adding an extra seam to the longitudinal
axis of the glider helps, on the one hand, give more consistency and
volume to the prole (a more efcient 3D contour) and on the other, joins
and shapes the leading edge panels. The fabric is guided by the panel
position to ensure fewer creases and better load distribution. The result
is a cleaner prole, which benets the wing in terms of performance and
durability.
Structured Trailing Edge (STE) - optimises the prole without deforming
it. The circulation of the air is more uid, ensuring a cleaner airow.
When changing the angle of attack or when accelerated, the prole
remains more uniform and the after braking, the wing returns to trim more
progressively, faster and more actively.
The use of these technologies is a big technological leap forward in
building wings and a big improvement in ight comfort.
For the construction process of the SKIN 3 we use the same criteria,
quality controls and manufacturing processes as in the rest of our range.
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