PAPILLON BODYGUARD 7 User manual

MANUAL
English • Rev. 1.7 Effective: July 2017
Please read this manual
before you y your new Papillon BODYGUARD 7
for the rst time.
LTF/EN A

PAPILLON BODYGUARD 7:
SAFETY MEETS PERFORMANCE
WITH CONSISTENCY
Thank you for choosing the PAPILLON BODYGUARD 7.
We would like to thank you for your trust and wish you many pleasant ights!
The name says it all. Those who trust this glider will always have a little bit more: more safety,
more performance, more fun. Anyone who performs 100,000 ights with our students and
pilots without incidents has our fullest condence.
The experience of Papillon Paragliding, Europe’s largest paragliding school went into the de-
velopment of the BODYGUARD 7. It unites all the features that allow you a safe and successful
entry into the ight sport.
Also as a hobby and leisure pilot the Bodyguard 7 will be a companion, you can rely on.
If you have any questions about your ight equipment, please do not hesitate to contact us.
See you UP in the sky!
Your Papillon-Team
This manual is an important part of the glider.
Please read it carefully, because there is an OBLIGATION to deal with the glider
and its special features. The manual is supposed to make the handling with the
PAPILLON BODYGUARD 7 as easy and safe as possible.
PAPILLON PARAGLIDERS
Wasserkuppe 46
D-36129 GERSFELD
Fax: [phone]
Tel. [phone]
[email protected]
papillon-paragliders.com

CONTENTS
Welcome to the PAPILLON WORLD OF PARAGLIDING! 6
PAPILLON BODYGUARD 7: Safety meets performance with consistency 7
BODYGUARD 7 8
- Usage 8
- Motorised Paragliding 8
- E-ascent help 8
- Winching 9
- Base- and brakeline adjustment 9
- Safety precautions 10
Equipment description 11
- Short description 11
- Risers 12
- Speed system 13
The Flight 14
- The Launch 14
- Reverse Launch 16
- Turning 16
- Active Flying 16
- Landing 17
- Strong Wind Landings 18
- Landing on Slopes 18
- Top Landings 18
Rapid descent 19
- „Big Ears“ 19
- B-Stall 19
Advanced Handling 21
- Spiral Dive 21
- Wingover 22
- Full Frontal 22
- Collapses 22
- How to avoid collapses 22
- Deep Stall 23
- Fullstall 24
- Partial Stall 24
- Negative Turn 24
- Emergency Piloting 25
- Transport and storage 25
- Repairs 25
Maintenance and Care 26
- Maintenance and care 26
- Nature and environment-friendly behaviour 26

Flying Accessories 27
- Harness 27
- Suitable Rescue Systems 27
Presumption of risk 28
- Liability claim and renouncement of exclution 28
- Safety Advice and Liability 28
Release of liability, renouncement of entitlement 29
Technical Data Papillon BODYGUARD 7 30
Color-Info 31
Line Code BODYGUARD 7 32
Line plan BODYGUARD 7 33
BODYGUARD 7: the latest development in the upper EN-A segment 39
Requirement for LTF/EN A-Certication 40
Instruction leaet for repairs & 2-yearly-check 41
Line order form 42
Reply Card 43
MAINTANANCE MANUAL 44
Topic of the inspection and reinspection intervals 45
- Who may inspect/test? 45
- Individual personal prerequisites for the inspections 45
- Necessary equipment and documentation 46
During the inspection the following steps are to be taken in: 46
- Positive identication of the device: 46
- Inspection of the reserve parachute 46
- Testing of the topsail, undersail, seams, reserve parachute of 46
- Holes and tears 46
- Abrasion and deformities 47
- Testing of the ribs 47
- Check of the tear resistance 47
- Porosity check of the canopy 47
- Connection parts 48
- Lines 48
- Check of the line length and line attachments 48
- Measuring the line lengths: 49
- Occasional check of trim and adjustment 49
- Description of the materials and technical data 49
- Miscellaneous 49
Completed check very important! 50

WELCOME
TO THE PAPILLON WORLD OF PARAGLIDING!

MANUAL | PAPILLON | BODYGUARD 7 6 | 7
PAPILLON BODYGUARD 7
SAFETY MEETS PERFORMANCE WITH CONSISTENCY
The BODYGUARD 7 combines sporty features with high passive safety. This makes it an ideal
beginner’s glider, which guarantees fun and fast learning success long after training.
The BODYGUARD 7 is easy to launch. It climbs evenly and without any tendency to dive for-
ward over the pilot and lls itself quickly and with little effort even in low wind.
Even in turbulent air the BODYGUARD 7 can hardly be put out of control. Even in weak ther-
mals, it climbs efciently and its direct handling helps to center the thermals.
The Bodyguard 7 is a paraglider of the latest generation and is equipped with numerous tech-
nical features: PPN and 3D shaping ensure an optimized inow and dimensional stability of the
leading edge. Complex calculations of the ballooning in combination with the optimized wing
pre-stressing ensure a balanced pressure distribution and ow around the prole. Mini-ribs
at the rear end of the wing give the prole more form delity and optimize the aerodynam-
ics additionally, especially when braking. The High Pressure Crossport Design (HPCD) ensures
optimized cross-ventilation of the cross ports and thus a balanced inside pressure of the wing,
which further enhances safety.
A straightforward line concept with just a few main lines ensures easy handling and a good
overview for ground handling. The risers are equipped with the Pilot Assistant (PAS) - colour
markings and icons provide a better orientation of the line levels. In addition, the main suspen-
sions are colour coded for better orientation.

Usage
The BODYGUARD 7 is only designed for solo usage. The BODYGUARD 7 is a light aircraft with a
mass of less than 120 kg in the class of paragliders.
The BODYGUARD 7 is suitable as a training glider making it ideally suited for beginnners as well as
for advanced pilots. All sizes are certied according to LTF/EN-A.
Motorised Paragliding
The BODYGUARD 7 is ideally equipped for the motorised ight because of its outstanding rise fea-
tures, its uncomplicated handling and the high trimmed speed.
Please note that NO ACRO MANEUVERS are allowed in the motorised ight. The extremely high
area loading through the additional weight of the motor brings even the PAPILLON BODYGUARD 7
to its load limits. The BODYGUARD 7 has a motor certication with the hybrid risers.
E-ascent help
The PAPILLON BODYGUARD 7 is very suitable for e-ascent help because of its uncomplicated han-
dling and high trimmed speed.
BODYGUARD 7

MANUAL | PAPILLON | BODYGUARD 7 8 | 9
Winching
Because of its excellent start characteristics and its high trimmed speed, the Papillon BODYGUARD 7
offers the best conditions for winching operations. Take the following points into account:
– Do not use a tow line tension over 100 kp with the Papillon BODYGUARD 7.
– If you are not operating at your usual winch, get aquainted with the local procedures. Every visi-
tor on unfamiliar ying grounds needs to get a good brieng by a local pilot.
– Never winch the Papillon BODYGUARD 7 with loads outside the permitted weight range.
– All involved persons, machines and accessories need to have the appropriate licenses, approvals
or certication for winching. That applies to pilots, hoist operator, towing attachment, attachment
points as well as all further machines and accessories for wich a certicate of competence is
required.
Base- and brakeline adjustment
The factory brake-line setting corresponds to 0-free travel plus 5 cm. It is recommended to
adjust your brake line travel after the rst ight to your personal preferences. Be aware not
to adjust the brakes too short, otherwise the glider may y with a little, but continuous applied
brake pressure. This could be extremely dangerous during takeoff , ight and landing!
The afore mentioned factory brake setting allows for ample brake travel in extreme ight
situations as well as for landing.
At the same time it enables during ight at trim-speed a position of comfort for the pilots arms. In
no case the setup A, B and C main lines should be changed before the wing has been own in the
original setup. Please also note that adjusting the height of the suspension to the hangpoints on the
harness, changes the relative braking travel. When setting the adjustment it is to be made certain
that both sides are symmetrical and that a permanent knot is used. The bowline works particularly
well because of the fact that it weakens the lines the least with excellent slip resistance.
Pile stitch
Factory
default marking
① ② ③

Safety precautions
– Before the rst ight, the canopy, lines, all connections and sutures, the shackles and brake lines,
as well as any twisted lines must be checked by appropriately trained personnel and conrmed in
the type plate.
– Make your maiden ight in a familiar ying site and calm conditons.
– Test your Papillon BODYGUARD 7 only over water.
– In a „dynamic ight“ not only you are exposed to Hike loads but also the glider. Do not underes-
timate this!
– Only y the BODYGUARD 7 with at least one reserve parachute.
– Observe and abide to the local aviation laws which rule in the respective country in question.
– Successful completion of appropriate training/schooling, having the needed knowledge as
well as the actual ight experience are a prerequisite to operate your Papillon BODYGUARD 7.
– The use of suitable, certied and in the respective country approved accessories (helmet, harness,
reserve) is a requirement for the use of the Papillon BODYGUARD 7.
– Before every take off execute a thorough inspection of your equipment (top sail, bottom sail, ribs,
especially the lines, carabiners, buckles, cloth speed system etc.) A ight with a tear in a glider or
lines can be life threatening.
– Always make sure that your ying gear is in good condition and all checks are done.
– Be aware that you as a pilot have to be in a physical and mental state to control each ight
unimpaired. You have to concentrate completely on ying, in order to avoid potential distressing
ight conditions. Most accidents are caused by pilot error.
– Never y in close proximity to high voltage power lines, airports or motorways, over people or
with lightning! You cold endanger your life and the physcial well being of yourself as well as third
parties and at the same time act reckless and negligent. At no circumstance should the minimum
distance fall below 50m at any given time. At airports this minimum distance to maintain is 5km.
– Inform yourself on the weather forecast and/or the predominating local weather conditions. Use
the Papillon BODYGUARD 7 only in wind strengths, in which you are able to control the wing to
100%. Do not use the Papillon BODYGUARD 7 in wind with a great gust factor. Never use the
glider with approaching thunderstorms or if probability of those of the development of thunder-
storms is high. If a thunderstorm is approaching land immediately!
– The ying of aerobatics is generally forbidden and is dangerous. Unforeseen ight orientations
can occur, which can spill out of control, arising the danger of overload on pilot and equipment.
ATTENTION: Ignoring one or several safety precautions can lead to a
leisurely fun ight turning into a fatal event!

MANUAL | PAPILLON | BODYGUARD 7 10 | 11
EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION
Short description
①
②
③
④
⑤
⑥
⑧
⑨
⑦
①Obersegel / Top
②V-Tape
③ Prolrippen / Prol rips
④Galerieleine / Galeryline
⑤Untersegel / Bottom
⑥Gabelleine / Gabelline
⑦Stabiloleine / Stabiloline
⑧Stammleine / Mainline
⑨Tragegurte / Riser

Risers
The A- and B-risers have different colors to ensure positive identication at take off and during a
B-stall decent. Other adjustable, removeable or variable mechanisms are nonexistent.
Number of risers: 3+1
The risers of the Papillon BODYGUARD 7 consist of 22 mm High Tanacity Polyester Yarn from Techni
Sangles, France.

MANUAL | PAPILLON | BODYGUARD 7 12 | 13
Speed system
The Papillon BODYGUARD 7 is equipped with a very effective foot actutated speed system. It
increases the speed when applied up to approx. 15 km/h, depending on the wing size and pilot
weight or surface loading.
Therefore it should not be activated in extreme ight situations or deactivated immediately when
they are occuring. All extreme ight attitudes (e.g. collapses) happen at accelerated speed more dy-
namically. Since the maximum acceleration is part of the safety behavior of the glider, it can happen
that with some harnesses the speed bar to full speed cannot be used.
The speed system needs to be adjusted before the rst ight. Therefore the connection lines of the
foot extensor are being connected through the Brummel hooks with the speed system on the riser.
To be able to untertake the right adjustment the harness should be hung up so you can sit in ying
position. The attached risers are best held up by someone else.
It should be adjusted in a way so that the pulleys are on top of each other and you have your legs
stretched out. And you are also responsible to watch out that the speed system is adjusted symmet-
rically and not too short so the glider is not pre-accelerated in the ight.
How a speed system works

THE FLIGHT
Flying experience
This manual is only focusing on the points of the technique of ying that are important for the Papil-
lon BODYGUARD 7. It cannot and should not replace a profound ight training in an approved ying
school! Without ight training and according experience paragliding is life-endangering!
The Launch
The 5-point pre-launch check must be performed before each ight. It is helpful to have the
check conducted additionally by a second pilot (partner check).
1. PILOT: All buckles, straps and clips of the harness closed? Leg straps closed? Carabiner
untwisted and closed properly? Helmet on? Radio on?
2. LINES: Lines free? A–lines on top? Risers untwisted? Speed system attached and untwisted?
Control lines free and not twisted?
3. CANOPY: Laid out in an arch? All chambers open?
4. WIND: From the right direction? Is the wind speed right?
5. AIRSPACE: Free on all sides?
The paraglider is laid out symmetrically in an arch, so that the canopy behind you can ll evenly
from the centre. The center of the Papillon BODYGUARD 7 is marked on the leading edge.
You launch the wing by a metered pull on the front risers with your arms stretched back and down
and running against the wind.
NOTE: Unlike other gliders, it is not necessary to inate the Papillon
BODYGUARD 7 with aggressive pulling or even fast running. That is
also true when there is little to zero wind. Measured pulling up is the
simplest and safest way to launch the Papillon BODYGUARD 7.
Once the canopy is above you, you let go of the risers and only keep the control lines in hand. Keep
running quickly, but not too fast, adapted to the wind situation. After a visual check of the canopy,
for which you possibly apply some brake pressure to stabilize the wing, the acceleration phase be-
gins. With big, bold steps and still arms you reach take-off speed.
You take off the ground but remain ready to run in order to react to an unexpected drop. Only sit
down with sufcient ground clearance. The control lines are not released.

MANUAL | PAPILLON | BODYGUARD 7 14 | 15
In at launch sites you pay attention to the acceleration phase. Large, long and expansive steps with
little brake are ideal here. In steep terrain, on the other hand, you pull gently and apply brake pres-
sure to stabilize. The glider must not be allowed to over shoot as collapses in the lift-off phase on
steep slopes can become unpleasant. Since take off is very quick in steep terrain, it is a good idea to
have an experienced pilot friend who observes and checks the take-off during the lift-up phase.
In at terrain take-off may be more impulsive. After inating and lifting the paraglider, perform a de-
tailed visual check of the canopy. The running speed is reduced and adapted to the wind situation.
In the steep launch site, the start is initiated with a small impulse and then a clear brake pull.
With an adequate launch impulse/input the
canopy lifts off. The lifting force caused by the
pronounced curvature of the prole at the
leading edge is sufcient to lift a portion of
the wing with its own weight.
As the canopy rises, the effective curved sur-
face increases and with it the lifting force until
it is strong enough to lift off the entire weight
of the canopy.
Thereby and by the air entering the cell open-
ings in the canopy’s leading edge the prole
becomes fully inated. The forward force of
the aerofoil prole accelerates the canopy
forward. In order to stabilize the wing above
the pilot a slight brake pull is used.

Reverse Launch
In strong winds and challenging conditions a reverse launch is recommended, as this allows better
control of the canopy. Possible cravats and disorders of the canopy can be detected in the launch
phase already. Thus, the control phase is simpler and an asymmetric rising of the wing can be cor-
rected early on.
To perform a reverse launch, face the canopy and cross the risers when clipping in. If you want to
turn to the right, turn the risers to the right before hooking-in and after sorting the lines. Make sure
that the green loop is hooked into the carabiner on the right and the red loop into the carabiner on
the left side.
Always untwist in the direction in which the upper riser is attached to the harness. Before lifting the
wing, hold the brake lines and make sure that they are not twisted or reversed! Then take all the
A-risers in one hand and step slightly out of the middle of the glider onto the side where you have
only the control loop in your hand. With this control loop the ascent of the canopy is controlled until
the canopy can be stabilized centrally above you.
Thereafter, take all A-risers in one hand. With the second hand, the rising of the canopy is con-
trolled. To perfect the reverse launch technique, we recommend taking part in a reverse launch
training.
Turning
The Papillon BODYGUARD 7 has a high agility and reacts to steering inputs directly and instantly. You
can y at turns with little altitude loss by shifting your body weight. A combined steering technique
of appropriate pull on the inner brake line and shift of body weight is the best way for a coordinated
turn. The turn radius depends on the amount of pull on the brake line. At about 75 % of the brake
line travel, the Papillon BODYGUARD 7 increases bank signicantly and performs a fast steep turn
that can lead to a spiral dive.
ATTENTION: A rapid pull on the brakeline may cause a negative spin!
Active Flying
The Papillon BODYGUARD 7 should be own with light braking on both sides when there is tur-
bulent air. An increased angle of attack provides better stability. When entering heavy thermals or
strong turbulences be careful that the canopy does not get behind you. To avoid that, release the
brakes a bit to get an increase in speed when entering the updraft. If the canopy gets in front of
you when leaving an updraft or entering a downdraft, the brakes must be applied to counter that.
Accelerated ight, however, is advisable when ying through downdraft zones.

MANUAL | PAPILLON | BODYGUARD 7 16 | 17
The Papillon BODYGUARD 7 is naturally very stable due to its unique way of construction. Active
ying in turbulent air (as described above) signicantly increases safety. Collapsing and deforming of
the canopy can be avoided through active ying.
Landing
The landing should always be upwind. At a safe altitude the wind direction and strength are judged
and the landing pattern and approach are planned.
The normal landing pattern begins at the position, where any remaining excess altitude is de-
creased, in case of a left pattern by ying left circles. The downwind, base and nal legs follow. Final
approach is into the wind.
Throughout the entire pattern the paraglider is own with a slight brake pull for maximum canopy
stability. The landing spot serves as a reference point and is constantly observed.
On the approach legs you have good correction possibilities (dashed red lines).
Straighten up in the harness at least 5 metres above ground. In about one metre above ground pull
the brakes fully to perform a landing stall in order to reduce the rate of descent and airspeed. The
touchdown is simplied and standing landings are easily possible.
Don’t pull the brakes too early. Especially in the nal approach it would be dangerous if a stall oc-
curred in 3, 4 or 5 metres already. The best landings are those with a nice are.
Due to its excellent aring characteristics the Papillon BODYGUARD 7 is very easy to land,
when the brake is applied at the right moment.
The nal approach is carried out in trim speed, if possible. In thermal conditions a nal approach
with maximum canopy stability (10-20% brake pull) is recommended.

ATTENTION: Remember that landing requires your highest concentra-
tion again. So plan your landing in such a way that you are safely on
the ground before your mental and physical performance diminishes.
Strong Wind Landings
In strong winds you y several base legs before the landing point with semicircles into the wind
(called an “eight setup”). Begin a short nal approach into the wind in about 10 to 20 metres above
ground using slight brake pressure.
Do not turn with the wind as airspeed and wind speed add up. A landing at a high ground speed
could be dangerous.
After touchdown turn around quickly and bring the canopy down by using the C-risers in order to
avoid being dragged across the ground.
Landing on Slopes
A landing on the slope is always done sideways to the slope and never against it due to the increas-
ing risk of injury. Hang landings require some routine. At the beginning of the ying career areas
with large landing elds are recommended.
Top Landings
Landings at the launch site require wind or thermals. Therefore, they are recommended only for
experienced pilots with lots of groundhandling experience.
ATTENTION: During a strong wind take off attempt, ground handling
and landing the leading edge can hit the ground with high speed. This
is to be avoided because otherwise the ribs, the sewing or the fabric
can be damaged!

MANUAL | PAPILLON | BODYGUARD 7 18 | 19
RAPID DESCENT
In any situation where you have to get down ASAP for different reasons (e.g. thunderstorms, ex-
treme updraft or other dangers) there are a couple of techniques to do so:
ATTENTION: The described maneuvers stress your paraglider more
than normal and should only be performed for practice or in a real
emergency situation!
„Big Ears“
Another important and in many cases recommended rapid descent method is called „Big Ears“. By
pulling on the outer A-lines, the „ears“ of the paraglider (usually two to four cells) are collapsed. The
sink rate increases, while the airspeed remains approximately constant. This can help, for example, to
escape cloud suck, whereas in a spiral the paraglider would still remain in the area of suction under
the cloud.
Both designated outer A2-risers (grab at or above the quick links) are being pulled down simultane-
ously for 15-20 cm to fold in the wing tips. The brake toggles are to be held in hand together with
the pulled down A-lines.
For additional stability and for an increased sink rate the speedsystem should be actuated. The
glider remains fully steerable by weightshifting and descends at an elevated sink rate (4-7m/sec,
depending on how many cells are folded in).
Once the A-risers are released, the folded wingtips re-inate automatically, if not, you may pump
the brakes gently.
Due to the high wingload “big earing” is a very stable ight condition even in turbulent conditions.
Please be aware that you reduce the trimspeed during “big ears”, but this can be compensated by
applying the speedbar.
Since the wing loading increases and the airspeed remains roughly the same due to the greater
drag, the stall speed increases.
The BODYGUARD 7 shows an unproblematic behaviour during this manoeuvre.
NOTE: The BODYGUARD 7 facilitates big ears with a special big ear aid
(seperate riser with big ear icon).
B-Stall
This maneuvre offers the possibility to descend comfortably and safely: By pulling down the B-risers
the wing is folded along its lateral axis and thereby stalled, which causes a sink rate of about 6 to 9
metres per second.

Entry
Keep the brake handles in your hands. Sit up and at the same time take the B-risers. Make sure that
really the B-risers are taken and not the C-risers. This could happen if a pilot incorrectly starts count-
ing from the trailing edge instead of the leading edge of the wing.
NOTE: The BODYGUARD 7 facilitates big ears with special big ear aid
(separate riser with big ear icon).
With the Papillon BODYGUARD 7 the B risers are labelled to avoid confusion.
The B-risers are pulled down slowly, thus slowing down the entire paraglider. After a pull of about
15-20 cm the stall occurs. Slowed down like this, the canopy barely falls behind the pilot with an
increasing sink rate.
The Manoeuvre
Look immediately upwards, if the desired B-stall occurred. Then look down to control the loss of
altitude and the area below you. Then alternately look upwards and downwards.
Should an atypical deformation of the canopy occur, immediately release the B-risers and recover
from the manoeuvre. A slight turning tendency is normal, because the manoeuvre often cannot be
initiated 100 percent symmetrical. The wind may also have an inuence. If the change in direction
feels unpleasant, just recover and repeat the manoeuvre.
Recovery
By a brisk - but most importantly symmetrical - release of the B-risers, the manoeuvre is terminat-
ed. The canopy dives forward to reattach the airow and end the stall. Do not prevent this pitching
forward by braking. Pilots with an active ying style tend to stop this desired pitching moment.
The difference of the forward pitching moment after a B-stall and the pitching moment after a
thermal ight is that the paraglider needs to accelerate after a B-stall while it simply swings back and
forth in the turbulences caused by thermals.