North Wing Horizon ET 180 User manual

Horizon ET 160 & 180
OWNER'S MANUAL
3904 Airport Way E.Wenatchee, Wa. 98802
TEL: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Page
1. SPECIFICATIONS. . . . . . . . . . 1
2. FLIGHT OPERATIONS / LIMITATIONS. . . . . 2
3. TESTING. . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
4. ASSEMBLY FROM BROKEN DOWN FORM . . . . . 3
BREAKDOWN FOR SHIPPING. . . . . . . . 3
5. SET-UP AND FOLD-DOWN PROCEDURE. . . . . 4-5
PRE-FLIGHT. . . . . . . . . . . . 6
FOLD-DOWN. . . . . . . . . . . . 7
6. FLYING. . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9
7. COMPLIANCE VERIFICATION. . . . . . . 10-11
8. TUNING AND TROUBLE SHOOTING. . . . . . 12-14
9. MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE. . . . . . . . 15-17
10. GUARANTEED MAINTENANCE. . . . . . . . 17-18
MAINTENANCE INSPECTION SHEET. . . . . . 18
11. GLIDER DISASSEMBLY. . . . . . . . . 19-20
12. MAINTENANCE LOG. . . . . . . . . . 21

Congratulations on your purchase of a North Wing glider. We believe it to be the
finest available recreational flex-wing glider on the market today. It achieves a very
good performance range and exceptional handling for many reasons. It has a sail cut
that is carefully matched to the leading edge bend, a fully enclosed floating cross-
tube, a large mylar reinforced leading edge pocket, and a carefully engineered
elliptical tip. Drag is reduced with a faired kingpost and uprights. These features
combine to ensure a good usable glide angle, an excellent sink rate and a broad
speed range making the Horizon a terrific soaring wing as well as a reliable cross
country glider.
As with any flying equipment the Horizon has been manufactured and tuned to
close tolerances and its performance and safety depend on you maintaining those
tolerances. We require that you read this owner's manual thoroughly and follow its
instructions to the letter when you set up the glider, fly it, break it down for storage
or shipping, or perform repairs or maintenance on it. Failure to do so will not only
invalidate your warranty but may also compromise the safety of your glider.
The safety of this or any hang glider ultimately rest with you, because hang
gliding is an inherently dangerous sport and can induce injury or death even to good
pilots flying safe equipment. Because the responsibility of flying and maintaining the
glider rests entirely with you, the risks of damage or injury you may cause to others
and to yourself also rests entirely with you. We believe that in order to safely
practice the sport of hang gliding, you must accept this responsibility, fly
conservatively, and avail yourself of all safety equipment appropriate to the
conditions you fly in.
No glider is totally safe. As with any Glider it is entirely possible to push the
Horizon beyond its tolerances and break it. Very strong flying conditions may also
cause structural failure. Aerobatic maneuvers, pitch angles beyond 30o up or down,
bank angles exceeding 60o, aggressive stalls, and spins are maneuvers that should
never be attempted under any circumstances. We hope to provide you with many
hours of enjoyable flying. If you ever need any spare parts or advice do not hesitate
to contact your nearest North Wing dealer, or contact us direct.
All of us at North Wing would like to welcome you to the growing family of
Horizon ET pilots!

1
S E C T I O N 1 : S P E C I F I C A T I O N S
Horizon 160 Horizon 180
SPAN 30' 5" 32' 6"
NOSE ANGLE 122 Deg. 122 Deg.
ASPECT RATIO 5.74 5.83
SAIL AREA 166 Sq/ft 188 Sq/ft
NUMBER OF RIBS (per side): TOP 7 8
BOTTOM 2 2
(Other dimensional specifications may be found in section 7)

2
S E C T I O N 2 : F L I G H T O P E R A T I O N S / L I M I T A T I O N S
Placards bearing test flight information and operating limits are located on the
glider's keel behind the cross-tubes pull back cable catch.
Special care should be taken to note the operating limitations, which are clearly
stated on the flight operation placard as follows:
FLIGHT OPERATIONS should be limited to non-aerobatic maneuvers--those in which
the pitch angle will not exceed either 30 degrees nose up or nose down of the
horizon and in which the bank angle will not exceed 60 degrees.
WARNING -- The owner and operator must understand that, due to the inherent
risk involved in flying such a unique vehicle, no warranty is made or implied of any
kind against accidents, bodily injury, or death. Operations such as aerobatic
maneuvers or erratic pilot technique may ultimately produce equipment failure and
are specifically excluded from the warranty. (Reference workmanship warranty
described in Section 10 of this manual.)
O P E R A T I N G L I M I T S
Horizon 160 Horizon 180
Wing loading
Optimal weight range 160-210 lbs 200-250 lbs.
. Usable weight ranges 140-240 lbs 170-280 lbs.
Maximum stall speed 25 mph 25 mph
Minimum top speed 35 mph 35 mph
VNE (Never exceed) 53 mph 53 mph
Load limits Positive: 53 mph @ 30 deg 53 mph @ 30 deg
Load limits Negative: 37 mph @ -30 deg 37 mph @ -30deg
Recommended USHGA rating II - V II - V
This glider must not:
a) Be flown by more than one person at a time.
b) Exceed 30 degrees nose up or down to the horizon.
c) Exceed 60 degrees bank angle left or right to the horizon.
d) Be flown inverted or backwards.
e) Be flown with auxiliary power unless designed, installed and tested by the
factory.

3
S E C T I O N 3 : T E S T I N G
The Horizon Hang Glider has undergone extensive testing and has satisfied the
standards of the designers and North Wing Inc. as well as the HGMA. The Horizon
has not been tested to any state or federal airworthiness specification.
A combination of three stainless steel trailing edge Reflex lines per side, and
airframe geometry provide the most effective positive pitching system known to
date. Careful test vehicle pitch experimentation was necessary to determine trailing
edge line lengths. Altering those overall dimensions, even to the slightest degree,
will decrease your glider's performance, or more importantly, its positive pitch
stability.
You can verify the tested configuration of your Horizon by using the compliance
verification sheet (Section 7 of this manual).
S E C TI O N 4 : A S S E M B LY F R O M BR O KE N D O W N F O R M
FULL LENGTH SHIPPING FORM:
Your Horizon will probably be shipped to you in 13 ft. length configuration.
13-FOOT SHIPPING FORM:
If your Horizon was shipped to you in the 13 Ft shipping form, you can
reassemble your glider to its full length by following these procedures. You will not
need any tools
1. Un pad all tubing ends. Note the 3/4" deep slot machined at the front end of
each rear leading edge sections. (The rear leading edge sections should be marked
to indicate right and left sides.).
2. Assemble your glider's control bar as described in section 5 of this
manual, and flip the glider on its folded back control bar, laying flat on the ground.
Unfold both wings and spread both leading edge front sections a foot on each side
of the keel tube.
3. Align both tubes and slide rear section into its front sleeve until it stops.
Rotate the rear tube into position making sure the top of the rear section is up.
Now push the leading edge rear section the rest of the way in (3/4"). It should
now be impossible to rotate the leading edge rear tube in its front section.
Please insure that this is the case.
4. You are now ready to mount the sail on its leading edge clevis pin. The pin
should go in from the bottom of the tube (through the webbing up through the
tube) and the safety ring installed in pin on top of tube. You can access this
area through the under surface tip zipper.
5. With all other shipping pads removed, your Horizon is now ready to be fully
assembled as described in section 5 of this manual.
BREAK DOWN FOR SHIPPING
Carefully reverse the above procedure, padding all possible wear points.

4
SECTION 5: SET-UP AND FOLD DOWN PROCEDURES
Your Horizon ET's unique components were designed to set-up in the
simplest, most efficient manner.
The instructions given below provide you with the step-by-step procedure for
setting up your glider. By closely following these instructions, you can assure
yourself a smooth, quick set-up.
The Horizon ET should always be stored ribs and zipper facing up especially
during transportation.
* - The Horizon ET may be set up in either of two ways. The first technique is
with the control bar set into position at the beginning of the procedure, and it allows
the glider to be set up off the ground. This is acceptable in lower wind conditions,
and it is effective in keeping the sail clean. In higher winds, however, the second
procedure is preferable, in which the glider is left on the ground until ready to
launch. In this procedure, the control bar is set into position last, and it reduces
possible damage to the glider in the event of a sudden gust of wind.
1) FIG. 1
Place the glider on the ground with the nose into the wind and with the zipper facing
upward. Remove the ribs from their bag, unzip the cover bag, undo the glider ties and
assemble the control frame. NOTE: Check that all the rigging is outside of the control
frame triangle and check that the bolt,
Wing nut and safety rings are fully assembled.
2) FIG. 2 Roll the glider over so that it is the right way up and either standing on
the 'A' frame or flat on the ground. If the latter then ensure that the control frame
is central and that the rigging is not snagged.
3) FIG. 3 Remove the cover and all the ties. Carefully walk each wing out to its
approximate flying position. AT THIS STAGE IT IS ESSENTIAL TO ENSURE
THAT THE KEEL AND LEADING EDGES ARE ALWAYS IN THE SAME PLANE.
4) Rotate Kingpost up into position and hook up reflex bridles (luff lines).

5
5) FIG. 4 Check the battens against the template and for symmetry. Placing all
white rib fittings in the right wing, insert the battens from root to tip with
gentle pressure, until the batten meets resistance, and then lift sail at trailing edge
and gently shake in order to billow it. This enables the batten to be completely put
into place over the cross bar and L.E. tubes.
NOTE: Do not install the last two tip curved ribs at this time.
DO NOT FORCE! To secure with elastic cords or strings, lift the loop over the
rib end fitting.
All ribs on each side are secured in position with a "double purchase " method. To
secure, place the bottom loop onto the rib end fitting and pull the top loop over and
into the fitting notch.
NOTE: The nose rib is inner-sleeved and can remain in the sail at all times, and
need not to be removed, except for periodical inspection.
6) FIG. 5 Find the cross tube tension cable retrieve line and pull it through the
keel pocket till you can get the black webbing handle. Pull the shackle back and latch
into the spring catch. Now you will need to hook up the rear top wire triangle ring
into spring catch also.
ENSURE THAT THE SPRING LATCH IS PROPERLY INSTALLED WITH THE
"PULL BACK" SHACKLE SITTING CORRECTLY AROUND ITS CATCH.
8) Install the tip wand. Open up the Velcro at tip slip fiberglass wand into the tip
receptor at end of LE tube. Make sure tip wand bottoms out on pin (apx. 4” in). Now
hook tip lever socket over end of tip wand and over center lever.
At this time you will install the last two ribs at the tip.
9) Install if necessary the nose batten "tail end first" from the nose of the glider,
now seat the front end of the rib on the keel tube just in front of the nose plate.
10) If the glider has been assembled flat on the ground, lift it onto its 'A' frame
(be careful of the tip battens), ensure that all the lower rigging is untangled.
11) FIG. 6 at this point, attach the front flying wires to the nose plate area by
slipping the ring around the nose spring catch.
FIG. 7 Install the glider's nose shroud, starting with the two top velcro tabs and
gently pulling the shroud down and around the nose plate to connect the two
bottom velcro tabs on the shroud to its corresponding tabs sewn on the under-
surface on each side of zipper.

6
12) Insert the four lower surface battens carefully, as there is the possibility of
missing the batten pocket as battens enter the sail. When the batten reaches the
leading edge pocket, push up on the double surface near the leading edge and finish
inserting the batten. NOTE: when the batten is inserted properly, the tip should be
resting against the bottom of the leading edge.
Your Horizon ET is now ready for a pre-flight inspection, described next.
PREFLIGHT INSPECTION
The nature of the Horizon ET is such that most of the pre-flight checkpoints
common to other flex wings are hidden to eliminate parasitic drag. A thorough pre-
flight procedure is mandatory with all aircraft, however, and the best technique is a
circular walk around the glider.
Start at one location, the nose plate for example and check each assembly point
available for inspection. Keep in mind the THREE MOST CRITICAL set-up factors.
These are the nose catch; the control frame base tube bolt and the cross tube
tension cables attaching to the spring catch on the keel. As stated in the set-up
procedure, ENSURE THAT ALL SECURING PINS ARE PROPERLY POSITIONED
AND CANNOT PULL THROUGH.
Starting at the nose, a suitable pre-flight checklist would be:
1) Sight along both leading edges checking for similar curves.
2) Walk towards the tip feeling for dents in the tube.
3) Pause at the wing bolts and look into the sail through the
velcro opening (under surface seam).
4) Continue to the tip and check the tip wand.
5) Walk to the keel checking the battens to ensure that they are
properly secured.
6) Check the luff line attachment points, both at kingpost and
trailing edge grommets. Ensure that the luff lines are not wrapped
around the batten ends.
7) Check the cross tube wire to spring catch connection.
8) Check the rear top rigging and luff line attachments.
9) Repeat items 2 to 7 in reverse order.
10) Check the nose catch.

7
11) Check all the lower rigging.
12) Check that the control frame uprights are straight and that the
bolt is correctly assembled with wing nut and ring.
13) HOOK IN AND HANG CHECK.
FOLD DOWN PROCEDURE
To fold down your Horizon ET, just reverse the set-up procedure steps as
described above. Included here are a few guidelines to follow which will save you
time and prevent wear areas on your sail:
1. IMPORTANT: While setting up or relieving the Horizon ET cross tubes and
airfoil from tension, the rear of the keel must remain on the ground at all times!
2. Always try to fold the wings together symmetrically, bringing both leading edges
back together at the same time.
Generally, if anything offers you resistance during any phase of the Horizon ET
set-up or fold-down procedure, be sure to stop and investigate.
Make sure that both the cross-tube tension cables are free to run forward. Roll the
sail from the outer luffline into the Mylar reinforced leading edge pocket. Pull one
sail tie just ahead of where the top laterals emerge from the sail, a second one half
way between the A-frame apex and the nose plate holding the leading edge pockets
overlapped and the third sail tie provided with your glider about 2 feet inboard from
the leading edge tip. It is not necessary to over-tighten your sail ties: keep the Mylar
pockets and the rest of your sail free of wrinkles and creases.
3. Neatness and organization are particularly important when repacking your
Horizon ET disassembled control bar. Cover bag pockets and pads are provided to
help eliminate wear points that some fittings might create during transportation.

8
T R A N S P O R T A T I O N A N D S T O R A G E
--
Avoid hard spots pressing on the glider during transportation or storage and have
as many supports as possible. Use rope or webbing rather than elastic to secure the
glider and tie both ends of the glider to a support or down to the ends of the vehicle
in order to stop the glider flexing. It is preferable to keep the glider dry and ensure
that it is dry before storing.
S E C T I O N 6 : F L Y I N G T E C H N I Q U E S
Take Off
----
The Horizon ET has a neutral static balance and is very easy to launch in both
calm and windy conditions. When you hold the glider prior to your take off run, you
should have the nose slightly elevated and the wings level. AGAIN MAKE SURE
THAT YOU ARE HOOKED IN! Run hard and ease the bar out for lift-off.
Turns
-
The Horizon ET has straightforward flight characteristics, typical for a defined
airfoil flex-wing. The glider can be easily directed into a turn, even at very low flying
speed. However, to obtain the best handling characteristics and fast roll rate, it is
advisable to pull in for a little extra flying speed then, to enter the turn, move to one
side and push out slightly. The Horizon ET will maintain in a turn of a certain bank
angle and radius until the turn is removed. Give yourself an extra margin of safety
and DON'T fly your glider at the slowest possible airspeed when scratching for lift
close to the terrain.
Thermal ling
---
This is also very straightforward. The trim speed of the Horizon ET is slightly
faster than the speed that will give you the best climb rate in a thermal. Once you
have centered a thermal push out as much as possible without stalling. Maintain
anywhere from 10 to 50 degree bank angle, depending on the nature and diameter
of the thermal. The Horizon ET will maintain a certain bank angle and radius
without further input. The Horizon ET feels very good in turbulence and it does not
get displaced very easily even by strong turbulence. The Horizon ET's handling
characteristics have been designed to give you the optimum that you need to
achieve your personal longest cross-country flight. The Horizon ET is probably the
least tiring glider on the market to fly, because of its ideal combination of light
control inputs and inertia. There is not a lot of work involved in flying a Horizon
ET.

9
STALLS
---
When practicing stalls always make sure that you have sufficient altitude. The stall
characteristics of the Horizon ET are very straightforward. If you push out slowly
it is hardly possible to stall the glider at all and the Horizon ET will mush without a
tendency to drop a wing. The sink rate is more than doubled, if you 'fly' the glider in
this mode. If you push out harder, the nose of the glider will come up a little higher.
This is followed by a gentle pitch down and the glider will regain flying speed. There
is not a lot of altitude lost in the type of maneuver. Never stall your glider
completely with the nose pitched-up very high. This is one of the most
uncontrollable and dangerous maneuvers for any tailless aircraft and can result in a
tail slide and severe tumble. Stalls in a coordinated turn are difficult to do by
mistake. If you push out too much in a turn the glider will turn tighter, unless you
are flying very slowly in which case you may enter a spin (see Spins).
SPINS
-
The Horizon ET will strongly resist spinning. However should you stall one wing in
a turn, move your weight forward and the glider will recover quickly from a spin (half
a turn) without entering extreme attitudes and without extreme loss of altitude.
This is due to the Horizon ET's positive roll-yaw coupling and a neutrally balanced
roll characteristic.
LANDING
----
This is a simple matter. Your final approach should be a straight glide into the wind
at faster than best L/D airspeed. Bleed your speed off slowly, wings level, and
ground skim onto your chosen landing spot. In light or no wind conditions a full flare
is required. When it is time to flare, flare aggressively and abruptly and hold 'A'
frame out. You may also choose to do a “runout” landing. This is done by running to
a stop while pushing the nose up as more and more weight is transferred to your
feet. It is possible to make steep approaches to a landing area or target utilizing the
mush mode; this should only be done in steady, smooth winds. It is not
recommended to mush the Horizon ET all the way to the ground.

10
SECTION 7: COMPLIANCE VERIFICATION SHEET
HORIZON STABILITY SYSTEM
There are multiple features built into the Horizon ET to achieve a safe degree of
pitch stability. These are:
1- Reflex (rebend) in root area ribs.
2- Tip wand angle setting.
3- The airfoil shape in all ribs.
4- Wing twist.
5- Trailing edge bridle cable.
The first four we have fine-tuned into the Horizon for the best flight
characteristics. The Horizon will not be airworthy with only the first four features.
The Horizon will not be pitch positive at the critical low angles of attack with out the
reflex bridles attached. Proper reflex bridle height on the Horizon is highly important
and is directly related to stability and airworthiness.
In order to verify the proper height of the bridles you must take a measurement at
each rib station. To do this you must lay the wing flat (“flat bar”) on a level surface
with VG off. If the area is not flat your distance from ground to sail hem may not be
accurate. The distance from the surface (ground) to the hem of the sail next to the
rib is as follows:
RIB 160 180
#2 -- 6.25”
#3 -- 8”
#4 -- 8.5”

11
NOTE: THESE SPECIFICATIONS ARE INTENDED ONLY AS A GUIDE LINE FOR DETERMINING
WHETHER OR NOT A GIVEN GLIDER IS A CERTIFIED MODEL, AND WHETHER IT IS IN ITS
CERTIFIED CONFIGURATION.
BE AWARE, HOWEVER, THAT NO SET OF SPECIFICATIONS, HOWEVER DETAILED, CAN
GUARANTEE THE ABILITY TO DETERMINE WHETHER A GLIDER IS THE SAME MODEL AS WAS
CERTIFIED, OR IS IN THE SAME CONFIGURATION IN WHICH IT WAS CERTIFIED, OR HAS THOSE
PERFORMANCE, STABILITY AND STRUCTURAL CHARACTERISTICS REQUIRED BY THE
CERTIFICATION STANDARDS.
Glider Model: Horizon ET 160 180
-- Glider Weight: (without cover bag) 52 Lbs 58 Lbs
-- Leading Edge Tube
A. Distance from the nose plate anchor
hole to: 1. crossbar attachment hole: 124.500" 140.25"
2. rearmost sail attachment pt: 182" 199.25"
B. Outside Diameter at:
1. nose 50mm 50mm
2. crossbar 52mm 52mm
3. rear sail attachment point 50mm 50mm
-- Cross bar tube
A. "Pin to Pin" 109.500" 124"
B. Outside diameter 52mm 62mm
-- Keel tube - least and greatest distance from leading edge bolts to:
A. Crossbar Hinge pin
(plates must be resting on keel) 42" 47"
B. Hang loop 62.75" & 63.75" 62.75" & 63.75"
-- Sail Chord length at:
A. 3' from root 76.50" 88"
B. 3' from tip 49" 49"
-- Total span 30.5 Ft 32.6 Ft
-- Placards and test flight stickers located
behind pull-back cable catch on the keel
-- Recommended pilot hook in weight 130 - 210 Lbs 160 - 260 Lbs
-- Recommended pilot proficiency level min. Hang II Hang II
-- Bridle measurements - inner 72.75 76.75"
center 94.25" 104"
outer 122.75" 130.87"
(Measured from the snap hook to the end of loop for retainer)

12
S E C T I O N 8 : T U N I N G A N D T R O U B L E S H O O T I N G
The Horizon ET has undergone a rigorous test-flying program in a wide range of
conditions. As a result, it is precisely tuned to achieve maximum flying performance.
Therefore, it should not be necessary to make any changes in your glider's tuning or
configuration. If however, you have any questions, please contact your authorized
North Wing dealer.
If any adjustments are made on your glider, we recommend that they be noted in
your Maintenance Log (Section 12 of this Manual). It is then easy to go back and
trace occasional problems.
Please bear in mind that certain adjustments, like the cross tube sweep setting, are
very critical and often create trade-offs in handling, performance, or --more
seriously-- safety.
The troubleshooting chart below offers you a first solution (first action to be
taken) and then a second (or more) solution for any possible problems you may
encounter.
Please investigate each problem as indicated by the chart. Never make more than
one change at a time. This is a basic rule in test flying, which allows you to better
keep track of the progress made.
We sincerely hope you never have to use this chart.
TROUBLESHOOTING CHART
SYMPTOM 1st solution 2nd solution
Tail heaviness (flies too slow) B,D H
Nose heaviness (flies too fast) B,C G
Right turn B,A F, J
Left turn B,A E, K
Yaw unstable (roll response lag) L N
Roll unstable B A, R
Roll stable M O
Breaks left in stall B J, P
Breaks right in stall B K, Q
Trailing edge flutter A,S O
Sail wrinkles S M
Loose rigging A
Tight rigging A

13
TROUBLESHOOTING CHART KEY
KEY ACTION
A. Check for proper assembly, twisted thimbles. Crossbar setup cable not fouled on
kingpost bolts. All ribs secured, check for proper position of trailing edge lines.
B. Match all ribs to the airfoil maintenance blueprint provided with your HORIZON ET.
C. Move hang strap back ( 1/2 " at a time).
D. Move hang strap forward ( 1/2 " at a time).
E. Increase camber on last 2 cambered left tip ribs by 1/4", or decrease the same on
right tip by 1/4".
F. Increase camber on last 2 cambered right tip ribs by 1/4", or decrease the same on
left by 1/4".
G. Decrease camber on last 2 cambered tip ribs on both sides, 1/4" at a time.
H. Increase camber on last 2 cambered tip ribs on both sides, 1/4" at a time.
I. Check leading edges for straightness, and replace if bent.
J. Increase the tension of the right leading edge pocket, or loosen the tension of the
left leading edge pocket*
K. Increase the tension of the left leading edge pocket, or loosen the tension of the
right leading edge pocket.*
L. Loosen leading edge pocket on both sides.*
M. Tighten leading edge pocket on both sides.* (note: If you are using this step to
remove sail wrinkles, be aware that excessive leading edge pocket tension will cause
excessive leading edge deflection, releasing enough trailing edge tension to cause wrinkles).
N. Loosen rib tension on both sides symmetrically, starting at the tips.
O. Tighten rib tension on both sides symmetrically, starting at the tips.
P. Check for over-tension in the left side ribs #1-4.
Q. Check for over tension in the right side ribs #1-4.
R. Loosen tension on ribs #2-4, both sides, to remove excess reflex from these ribs.
S. Adjust rib tension in the locality of each problem area.

14
If your Horizon ET has a turn, you have to check for bent battens first and then
for bent spars. If you cannot find a bent leading edge, it is still possible, that one
one of the leading edges has been stressed in a hard landing and this results in
slightly different bending characteristics of both leading edges. This is not always
necessarily critical and the turn can be tuned out by differential batten bending. The
only two battens that should be changed are the two curved tip battens. For
example, if your glider has a right turn in it, the battens on the right hand side would
require an addition of approximately 1/2" to the slow wing (in this case the right
wing).
The camber of the corresponding battens on the fast wing should be decreased by
approximately 1/2". This seems to be the best possible method of tuning a turn out
of a Horizon ET. Tightening the batten tension also has the same effect as
increasing the camber. Having the batten tension slacker improves the handling,
possibly at the expense of glide angle. Pitch trim is accomplished by simply moving
the hang loop on the grip tape, which is on the keel.
To make the glider fly faster, simply move the hang loop forward. The trim speed
covers a range of approximately 7 m.p.h. (Hang loop all the way forward to hang
loop all the way back.)
NOTE: Both hang loops on the Horizon ET are directly in front of the 'A'
frame top fittings and kingpost. The main and back-up hang loops are of different
colors or at least color-coded.
The main hang loop is always the shorter of the two.

15
S E C T I O N 9 : M A I N TE N A N C E S C H E D U L E
Your new Horizon ET will require very little in the way of maintenance if you care
for it properly in your day-to-day use. Here are some general points to follow in
maintaining your new Horizon ET which will help ensure the safety of your flying
and the performance retention of your glider. We suggest you follow this
maintenance schedule faithfully: your care will always pay off in the future.
EVERY 10 HOURS:
-- Check all ribs against the airfoil maintenance blueprint.
EVERY 50 HOURS:
--Inspect all cross tube support cable components (tangs, pins, nuts, bolts, cross
tube plates, and cable itself).
--Inspect all rib tensioning cords.
--Check all tubing for possible wear damage, which could occur during set-up,
fold-down, or transportation.
--Inspect sail mounting grommets and webbing at tips.
EVERY 100 HOURS:
--A complete inspection of your glider is recommended, including all rigging and
components, replacement of any worn or bent bolts or locknuts connecting 2
moving parts together (i.e., cross tube plate junction bolt, crossbar clamp bolt, etc.)
--If badly scratched, dinged, or damaged, the control bar should also be replaced.
--A professional sail maker should mend critical sail tears. (See also Sail
Maintenance below)
--Please contact your dealer for a complete and professional inspection of your
glider.

16
S A I L
1) If you must wash the sail, wash it with a light detergent only. Better still, wipe
the sail down frequently with a soft, damp cloth and that will keep detergent
washing to a minimum.
2) Acetone or alcohol can be used to remove stubborn stains without harming the
sail. (Do not use any solvents on a mylar sail).
3) Rinse very thoroughly after cleaning with any detergent or solvent.
4) To renew the luster of Dacron, you can use a product called 'Sail Bright'
available from marine hardware stores.
5) Apply sail repair tape to any rips or tears in your sail. This will prevent fraying
on the edges where the tear is located. However, do not worry about small tears
continuing unless they are located at stress points.
6) Keep an eye on all the grommets and all areas of the sail that take extra abuse.
7) The best thing you can do for your sail is to always use the bag. Do not carry
your glider on top of a car, even for short distances, without one. Sun and weather
cause more deterioration than hours of flying. Keep your Horizon ET covered
when not in use.
8) Be careful and precise when you re-pack your glider after each flight. Keep all
the foam padding that arrived with the glider when it was new, tie everything off the
same way. A few extra moments when you de-rig the glider will give you many extra
hours of noiseless flight.
C A B L E S
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1) Naturally any frays or kinks in your cables should be examined with great care
and any frayed cables should be replaced immediately.
2) Many expert pilots replace their flying wires every 100 hours,
regardless of wear. This is certainly worth considering. Each cable has a breaking
strength in excess of 800 lbs. Actual non-aerobatic in-flight loads seldom exceed
400 lbs. Inspect the thimbles - if elongation is evident, 300-400 lbs load has been
applied to the cable, ferrules and thimbles. If you must constantly set your glider up
and break it down in rough, rocky areas, you will need to replace you cables more
frequently than someone who flies the grasslands. Use your best judgment - those
cables hold the frame together.
S P A R S
Examine your spars for dents; wear spots, corrosion and bends during every pre-
flight check. To maintain the structural integrity of the spars of your glider, always
use a well-padded glider rack on your vehicle. Ideally the rack should support the
glider in three places over the entire length. If a glider has been badly looked after,
the spars should be replaced.

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H A R D W AR E A N D B O L T S
1) For all practical purposes, North Wing hardware is indestructible in hang gliding
(flight) applications. "AN” bolts, however, are not indestructible and bending them
even in light crashes is common. Check them periodically to be safe. Discard and
replace any bent bolts.
2) All bolts, of course, should show exposed threads above the locknut during pre-
flight.
B A T T E N S
When inserting battens, place them in their pockets smoothly and gently to avoid
wear on the sail and on the batten ends. Pushing them rapidly into the pockets at
an angle will wear out the stitching on the edge of the pockets, not to mention
possible damage to the sail itself.
A N N U A L I N S PE C T IO N
Even if yours is the best-kept Horizon ET you should have the glider stripped
down for a full inspection at least once a year. This can be done by your self
or preferably by one of our professional North Wing DEALERS.
With proper care and maintenance, your Horizon ET will remain for some
years at a high level of airworthiness. There is much that we still don't know such as
what is the effective lifetime of a hang glider before material fatigue and degradation
compromise the airworthiness of the gliders. We do know that there are forces in
nature, which can severely compromise your safety regardless of the quality of
design or condition of the aircraft you are operating. Your safety is ultimately your
responsibility. We strongly recommend that you fly conservatively, both in your
choice of the conditions in which you fly and the safety margins you allow in the
maneuvers you attempt. We recommend that you only fly with a harness that has
been tested for strength and that you always fly with an emergency
parachute system.
S E C TI O N 1 0 : G U A R A N TE E D M A I N T E N A N C E
The Horizon ET is a very sophisticated machine and its airworthiness requires
scheduled and professional attention.
Every six months, from the date of purchase, your authorized North Wing dealer
will inspect and maintain all the different components of your new Horizon ET. He
will also suggest the replacement or repair of all bent or damaged parts of your
glider. This unique service, provided by all North Wing Service Centers, should
be followed very seriously at the risk of voiding your warranty. Just make an
appointment with your dealer and set up your glider in a "ready to fly" configuration.
Your dealer will perform the inspection and will fill out the Maintenance Inspection
Sheet below.