PAPILLON RAQOON User manual

MANUAL
English • Rev. 1.5 Effective: July 2017
Please read this manual
before you y your new Papillon RAQOON
for the rst time.
LTF/EN A

PAPILLON RAQOON: LIGHTWEIGHT,
SAFE, HIGH PERFORMANCE
Congratulations, you have chosen the new lightweight A-Class glider PAPILLON RAQOON. We
would like to thank you for your condence in Papillon and see this as conrmation to contin-
ue to pursue and further develop our uncompromising quality standards. We wish you many
enjoyable ights and great moments in the air.
If you are preparing for the launch with your Raqoon, you know that it doesn’t take much to
start, because this is what the Raqoon was designed for. With its hybrid properties, it starts
with 30% less wind and running. The control phase becomes easier. Its properties in the air also
help you: with its lighter canopy it wants to lead you into the thermals.
The dialogue is important to us because we are always trying to optimize the products in terms
of “from pilots for pilots”. The exchange of experience at Papillon is a high priority. Therefore,
we are looking forward to active contributions in the form of suggestions and criticism. If ques-
tions remain open, we will gladly help you at any time.
See you UP in the sky!
Your Papillon Paragliders 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 RAQOON 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 RAQOON: Lightweight, safe, high performance 7
RAQOON 8
- Usage 8
- Motorised Paragliding 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 RAQOON 30
Color-Info Papillon RAQOON 31
Line Code RAQOON 32
Line Plan RAQOON 33
Requirement for LTF/EN A-Certication 39
Instruction leaet for repairs & 2-yearly-check 40
Line order form 41
Reply card 42
MAINTANANCE MANUAL 43
Topic of the inspection and reinspection intervals 44
- Who may inspect/test? 44
- Individual personal prerequisites for the inspections 44
- Necessary equipment and documentation 45
During the inspection the following steps are to be taken in: 45
- Positive identication of the device: 45
- Inspection of the reserve parachute 45
- Testing of the topsail, undersail, seams, reserve parachute of 45
- Holes and tears 45
- Abrasion and deformities 46
- Testing of the ribs 46
- Check of the tear resistance 46
- Porosity check of the canopy 46
- Connection parts 47
- Lines 47
- Check of the line length and line attachments 47
- Measuring the line lengths: 48
- Occasional check of trim and adjustment 48
- Description of the materials and technical data 48
- Miscellaneous 48
Completed check very important! 49

WELCOME
TO THE PAPILLON WORLD OF PARAGLIDING!

MANUAL | PAPILLON PARAGLIDERS | RAQOON 6 | 7
PAPILLON RAQOON
LIGHTWEIGHT, SAFE, HIGH PERFORMANCE
The RAQOON combines safety, low weight, performance and a direct sporty handling. This
makes it a perfect all-round glider. His forgiving behaviour not only ensures a good feeling for
beginners, but also for ambitious cross-country pilots and alpinists.
The RAQOON precisely applies control impulses and combines EN-A typical tolerance with
dynamics. The good-natured ight characteristics are additionally enhanced by the low canopy
weight. His reactions are correspondingly damped. Its excellent gliding and climbing ability
helps you to efciently convert even weak thermals into heights.
Its launch behaviour is extremely simple and good-natured. Even in zero wind, the lightweight
canopy reliably climbs above the pilot with little effort. In addition, the RAQOON’s excellent
low-speed ight characteristics allow a low take-off speed, allowing you to maintain a longer
control phase at take-off.
The RAQOON is based on the latest ndings of ow simulation. Complex calculations of the
High Pressure Crossport Design (HPCD) not only reduce weight, but also maximize cross-ven-
tilation of the Crossports. The efciency of the system is already evident in the lifting phase. It
provides a very fast pressure build-up and gives the wing a balanced internal pressure during
ight. The 3D-shaping and optimized wing prestressing ensure perfect airow, while the Preci-
sion Prole Nose System (PPN) ensures optimum airow to the prole. Miniribs and the Brake
Gathering System (BGS) help the prole achieve greater shape delity at the rear edge and
transfer control impulses precisely to the wing. A very 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) - in addition to the colour markings, icons provide a
better orientation of the line levels.
Only high-quality durable materials were used for the material mix. When it comes to porosity,
the lightweight material with double coating is clearly superior to heavy materials. This is now
conrmed by long-term results and thus refute the myth that heavier materials should achieve
better check results.

Usage
The RAQOON is suitable as a training glider and not only aimed at beginners, who want to y
with a small pack size and little weight, the modern wing also guarantees sustainable fun for
ambitioned pilots. The RAQOON is only designed for solo usage.
The RAQOON is a light aircraft with a mass of less than 120 kg in the class of paragliders. All
sizes are certied according to LTF/EN-A.
The size XL is additionally approved for double-seat operation.
Motorised Paragliding
The HIMALAYA is not certied for paramotor usage.
RAQOON

MANUAL | PAPILLON PARAGLIDERS | RAQOON 8 | 9
Winching
Because of its excellent start characteristics and its high trimmed speed, the Papillon RAQOON
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 RAQOON.
– If you are not operating at your usual winch, get aquainted with the local procedures. Every
visitor on unfamiliar ying grounds needs to get a good brieng by a local pilot.
– Never winch the Papillon RAQOON 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 attach-
ment, 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.
Pfahlstich
① ① ①
Markierung
Werkseinstellung

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 RAQOON only over water.
– In a „dynamic ight“ not only you are exposed to Hike loads but also the glider. Do not
underestimate this!
– Only y the RAQOON with at least one reserve parachute.
– Observe and abide to the local aviation laws which rule in the respective country in ques-
tion.
– Successful completion of appropriate training/schooling, having the needed knowledge as
well as the actual ight experience are a prerequisite to operate your Papillon RAQOON.
– 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 RAQOON.
– 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 dis-
tressing 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 RAQOON only in wind strengths, in which you are able to control the wing
to 100%. Do not use the Papillon RAQOON, in wind with a great gust factor. Never use the
glider with approaching thunderstorms or if probability of those of the development of
thunderstorms is high. If a thunderstorm is approaching land immediately!
– The ying of aerobatics is generally forbidden and is dangerous. Unforeseen ight orienta-
tions 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 PARAGLIDERS | RAQOON 10 | 11
EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION
Short description
①Obersegel / Top
①V-Tape
① Prolrippen / Prol rips
①Galerieleine / Galeryline
①Untersegel / Bottom
①Gabelleine / Gabelline
①Stabiloleine / Stabiloline
①Stammleine / Mainline
①Tragegurte / Riser
①
①
①
①
①
①
①
①
①

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 RAQOON consist of LIROS 13mm Kear webbing/Polyester cover.

MANUAL | PAPILLON PARAGLIDERS | RAQOON 12 | 13
Speed system
The Papillon RAQOON is equipped with a very effective foot actutated speed system. It in-
creases the speed when applied up to approx. 18 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 immediate-
ly when they are occuring. All extreme ight attitudes (e.g. collapses) happen at accelerated
speed more dynamically. 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
symmetrically and not too short so the glider is not pre-accelerated in the ight.

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 PARAGLIDERS | RAQOON 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 PARAGLIDERS | RAQOON 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 PARAGLIDERS | RAQOON 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.