Sky paragliders Antea s User manual

User manual for Antea Paragliders S, M, L, XL

(This guide conforms to requirements as set out in Regulation EN926-2:2005.

A. General information

1. Model name: Antea S, Antea M, Antea L, Antea XL

2. Name & address of manufacturer

Sky Paragliders a.s.,

Okruzni 39

739 11 Frydlant nad Ostravici

Czech Republic

www.sky-cz.com; [email protected]

3. Total minimum & ma imum weights in flight:

see the technical data

4. Ma imum brake range at ma imum take-off load!

5. The Atis 2 is an intermediate paraglider aimed at pilots who have finished

their school training and who fly a minimum of 30 times a year.

6. The Antea is a high performance paraglider aimed at pilots “who are familiar

with recovery techniques, who fly actively and regularly, and understand the

implications of flying a glider with reduced passive safety.”

7. This user manual version dated 10 October 2006

B. Pilot profile

The Antea paraglider offers ‘moderate passive safety’ and reacts quickly in turbulent airflow or

as a result of piloting errors. Appropriate pilot input maybe necessary to return to normal flight.

Aimed at experience pilots (with minimum 200 flights and 200 hours ,

who fly regularly (min 80 flights/year .

C. Dimensions, diagrams and characteristics

1a. Cross-section of Antea

A lines – red

B lines – blue

C lines – purple

D lines – green

Brake lines - yellow

1b. Line plan

1c. Riser diagram (45% of actual size)

Mesures des élévateurs

sans accélérateur :

- A 50 0 cm

- B 50 0 cm

- C 50 0 cm

- D 50 0 cm

Mesures des élévateurs

accélérateur à fond :

- A 35 0 cm

- B 37 0 cm

- C 43 5 cm

- D 50 0 cm

Tolérance : +/- 0 5 cm

Length of risers in standard trim

Length of risers with full accelerator

Tolerance +/- 0 5cm

2. Flat span:

see technical data

3. Projected surface area:

see technical data

4. Number of cells:

see technical data

5. Number of risers:

see technical data

6. There is no test sticker on our certified gliders.

7. Accelerator travel: 15cm

(see also diagram of riser bellow

8. The brake lines are adjusted to the correct length but can, if necessary, be

shortened by 2cm or lengthened by 5cm.

9. Side views of risers: refer to line plan on page 3 and to the line lists in

Anne A1 – A4

10. n/a

11. n/a

12. Side view of risers: refer to diagram of risers above (45% of actual size)

13. Technical data

ANTEA S M L XL

Flat surface area (m2) 22 65 24 50 26 25 28 39

Flat span (m) 11 16 11 61 12 01 12 50

Flat aspect ratio 5 50 5 50 5 50 5 50

Projected surface area (m2) 20 10 21 74 23 29 25 19

Projected span (m2) 9 26 9 63 9 96 10 36

Projected aspect ratio 4 26 4 26 4 26 4 26

Number of cells 59 59 59 59

Number of risers 4 4 4 4

Total flying weight (kg) 60-80kg 75-95kg 90-110kg 105-130

Paraglider weight 4 9 5 1 5 3 5 6

Range of speed system (57) 59 61 (63)

Trim speed (km/h) 38 38 38 38

Min speed (km/h) 24 24 24 24

Max speed (km/h) 52 52 52 52

Max glide ratio 9 0 ± 0 1 9 0 ± 0 1 9 0 ± 0 1 9 0 ± 0 1

Sink rate (m/s) 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

D. Flying techniques

The Antea is flown conventionally however there are several points listed below which should allow

you to familiarise yourself with your new paraglider more quickly.

1. Checking the paraglider before take off

Check the wing: check it is not torn and that the internal structure (ribbing is not damaged.

Check the lines: Check they are not damaged or tangled.

Check the quick links: Check that the quick links which link the lines to the risers, are correctly

tightened and undamaged.

Check the risers: Check they are not damaged or twisted. Check the speed system works freely and

that the lines are long enough to ensure that the accelerator system is not permanently on.

Lastly, check that the brake handles are correctly attached and that each brake line runs freely in its

pulley.

2. Take off

Lay your paraglider out with the leading edge in a horseshoe shape. Hold the A risers near the quick

links and move forward until the slack has been taken out of the lines. You should now be perfectly

centred with your wing.

With no, or light, head wind and the lines tensioned, the Antea inflates rapidly. It is important that you

keep the risers correctly oriented to your body, if too far forward or back you are unlikely to have a

clean inflation.

A controlled inflation allows you to check the wing and lines during the last phase as it comes up, and

thus avoids the need to brake. Depending on the wind conditions, or the slope a bit of brake can allow

you to take off more quickly.

3. Landing

Because of the exceptional glide care must be taken during approach and landing. The Antea is an

extremely agile glider and is sensitive to small inputs - over-braking can result in significant responses.

We therefore recommend that you have your first flights at a site you know well, in easy conditions.

With negative steering you will have more time to carry out manoeuvres calmly and therefore you will

reduce pendulum movements of your paraglider.

Reminder: negative steering involves applying your brakes symmetrically by about 30% of your

maximum range to slow the paraglider, then carrying out turns by releasing the outside brake.

Speeding up just prior to landing allows a more effective flare and therefore a more gentle landing.

4. Turning

The Antea was designed to perform well in turns and will centre in thermals even without active

piloting.

Negative steering (see above on the one hand slows the paraglider in certain phases of flight and, on

the other hand, reduces excessive rolling during turn reversals. It is not only designed to turn (with

approx 30% brake but also to fly slowly to help to identify areas of lift and to keep the paraglider

flatter to maximise the sink rate in a turn (with 15% brake .

5. Rapid descent techniques

To descend you generally move away from areas of lift, however if, for whatever reason, you are

having problems coming down then you can use the following techniques to increase your sink rate.

A. Big Ears

Pull down on the outside A lines until the wingtips fold back on themselves We recommend that

you fold each wingtip separately and not at the same time

Keep the lines taut to stop the wingtips from re-opening

Depending on the size of the big ears, the sink rate can increase to 3-4m/s

As soon as you release the lines the paraglider should spontaneously reopen You can speed it

up by pumping the brakes with a positive input If you pump the brakes then we recommend that

you open one side then the other Pulling down on both brakes simultaneously can result in a

stall

B. Spiral

The Antea is a manoeuvrable wing that responds easily to input. To enter a spiral, apply one

brake progressively to about 35% and hold it in this position. The speed of rotation will increase

progressively, as will the pressure on the brake and the centripetal force that you experience.

You can decrease or increase the angle or speed of rotation by releasing, or pulling down on the

brake by several centimetres.

Once mastered the spiral allows you to descend by more than 10m/s. Movements which are too

abrupt or badly synchronised, or entering into a spiral too quickly can result in a spin.

Attention! The spiral is not a simple manoeuvre. The kinetic energy built up must be controlled so

as to allow a controlled exit from the spiral.

C. B-line stall

Grasp the B risers at the quick links and pull them down symmetrically. The paraglider stalls and

drops backwards before stabilising overhead. The descent rate increases to 6-8m/s. To exit the

B-line stall raise both hands together with a single, quick, movement. As soon as you release the

B-risers the Antea should return to normal flight. If the B-line stall is exited incorrectly it may go

into a parachutal (deep stall. Application of the speed bar will effect a recovery. If there is no

speed bar then by pulling down on the A-risers by 4-5cm you should achieve the same result.

Caution: unlike big ears & the spiral, in the B-line stall the glider is in a stalled state.

6. Performance & use of brakes

The Antea has its best glide at trim speed (no brakes - about 38km/h. The minimum sink rate is

achieved by applying approx 15% brake.

Beyond 30% brake, the aerodynamics and performance of the Antea deteriorates and the effort

required to manoeuvre increases quickly.

The very heavy brake pressure warns of an impending stall, this occurs at full brake travel (100%

brake .

In normal flying conditions the optimum position for the brakes, in terms of performance and safety,

lies in the top third of the braking range.

7. Use of speed bar

The Antea is fitted with a speed system. Refer to your harness manufacturers instructions for fitting

and positioning of the speed bar.

Before launching check the speed bar works freely and that the lines are long enough to ensure that it

is not permanently engaged.

If the harness is fitted with a front mounted reserve the speed bar lines must pass under the reserve

bridle so that it can be deployed easily.

Use of the speed bar increases the maximum speed of the paraglider by up to 35% of trim speed.

However, it does reduce the angle of attack and therefore you may risk a frontal (or asymmetric

collapse. We therefore do not advise using the speed bar near to the ground or in turbulent air.

8. Assymmetric or frontal (symmetric) collapses

Whilst testing has shown the Antea ability to come out of a collapse without the intervention of the

pilot, we recommend active piloting in the case of a asymmetric or frontal collapse. By doing this you

will reduce the loss of altitude and any change of direction.

In case of frontal (symmetric collapse :

Bring both brakes down symmetrically to speed up the re-opening of the paraglider, then bring your

hands back up immediately.

In case of asymmetric collapse

Keep the paraglider flying straight by leaning in the opposite direction to the collapse and by applying

some opposite brake.

Speed up the re-opening of the closed side by a single, positive, input on the collapsed side.

9. Full stall

Certain behaviour or weather conditions can bring about a full stall. This is a serious incident and one

that is difficult to control. If it happens less than 100m above the ground we recommend that you

deploy your reserve immediately.

Main causes of a full stall

1. A poorly timed, or over-exaggerated input, with the brakes, when the wing has a reduced air speed

(eg, when coming out of a spiral or when the paraglider is speeding up after a B-line stall .

2. A build up of droplets of water on the leading edge (from rain or cloud can result in a stall due to

disrupted airflow over the leading edge. This has been linked to high levels of porosity in glider

fabrics.

Whatever the cause, a full stall can be either symmetrical or a spin. In both cases the pilot has two

possible courses of action.

1. If it happens above 100m and the pilot is familiar with stall recovery, they should execute a full stall,

stabilise the wing above their head and lift both hands progressively.

2. If below 100m or if the pilot is unfamiliar with stall recovery then they should immediately deploy

their reserve.

10. Flying without brakes

If a brake line or pulley breaks it is possible to fly the Antea using the D risers (rear risers . The

movements must be well controlled as the deformation of the wing due to the traction on the D risers

is greater than that produced by using the brakes.

10.Comments on the testing procedure

All manoeuvres were carried out over water in a stable air mass with standard temperature, humidity

and pressure. They were carried out by professional pilots trained to react to any problem in the most

appropriate manner.

Test reports are available on the website: www.sky-cz.com

11.Harness adjustments

For test flights the pilots used ABS harnesses with the following set-up.

Size Distance from seat

board to hang points

Distance between

hang points

Antea S 41-42cm 42-43cm

Antea M 42-43cm 43-44cm

Antea L 43-44cm 44-45cm

Antea XL 44-45cm 45-46cm

We recommend using a harness with the maximum settings as used in testing.

Excessive cross bracing increases the risk of the risers twisting. A looser setting will result in leaning

more towards a side of a collapse.

C. Maintenance & checks

1. Advice on maintenance

The life of your paraglider depends largely on the care with which you maintain and

use it.

Avoid dropping it on its top surface or on its leading edge during inflation or landing.

Don’t drag it across the ground when moving it.

Don’t expose it unnecessarily to sunlight.

Choose a technique that doesn’t damage the stiffeners and that doesn’t crease the

internal structure excessively. To maximise the life of your glider we do not

recommend the use of stuff sacks: the abrasion of the material will decrease the life

expectancy of the fabric – in particular its internal structure.

Always use the inner bag to avoid any direct contact with the metalwork on the

harness and the rucksack.

Never store your paraglider when it is damp. If immersed in sea water then rinse in

fresh water. Do not use any detergents. Dry your paraglider away from direct light in

a dry and well-aired place.

Empty any foreign bodies from your paraglider regularly, for example sand, stones or

animal or vegetable matter which may eventually decay.

2. Checks

Before delivery

Your paraglider has been checked in the factory and has been flight tested by the vendor.

It is delivered with a standard brake setting as used during testing.

Periodic checks & repairs

For safety reasons we recommend that you have your paraglider checked at least once a year, or

every 100 flights, and every time that you notice a change in its behaviour.

Annual checks on Sky Paragliders must be carried out by Mcc Aviation SA in Forel, Switzerland This

specialist workshop has been working with Paragliders for nearly ten years Mcc Aviation has all the

necessary equipment and parts to repair Sky Paragliders and, at present, is the only Swiss workshop

that has received specific training on our products

Mcc Aviation SA, la Tuilerie, CH-1091 Grandvaux

Tel 021 781 26 26 Fax 021 781 28 96

Email: mccaviation@bluewin ch

In France, after sales service is provided by Rip-Air in Talloires Rip’Air has all the necessary

equipment and parts to repair Sky Paragliders and, at present, is the only French workshop that has

received specific training on our products

Rip’Air sarl, ZA de Perroix, 74290 Talloires

Tel: 04 50 64 41 02 Fax: 04 50 64 41 17

Email: [email protected]

D. Guaranty

The Antea paraglider is guaranteed against any manufacturing fault for one year after delivery.

The guaranty does not cover:

Damage due to insufficient maintenance, incorrect use, inappropriate conditions or heavy impacts.

Wear & tear

Sky Paragliders a s

Okružní 39

739 11 Frýdlant nad Ostravicí

Czech Republic

Tél 00420 558 67 60 88

www sky-cz com

info@sky-cz com

Antea S

NAME QUANTITY MATERIAL LL LENGTH

WIRE LENGTH

NAME QUANTITY MATERIAL LL LENGTH

WIRE LENGTH

NAME QUANTITY MATERIAL LL LENGTH

WIRE LENGTH

A1 2 7850-080-14 190,8 677,4 C1 2 7850-080-04 190,2 672,4 A29 2 7850-080-07 88,8 617,2

A2 2 7850-080-14 180,6 667,2 C2 2 7850-080-04 180,2 662,4 A30 2 7850-080-07 81,6 610

A3 2 7850-080-14 185 671,6 C3 2 7850-080-04 184,8 667 B29 2 7850-080-07 87,4 615,8

AU1 2 LIROS PPSL 200 486,6 CU1 2 LIROS PPSL 200 482,2 C29 2 7850-080-07 92,2 620,6

A4 2 7850-080-14 199,6 667,8 C4 2 7850-080-04 198,8 663,6 SA 2 7850-080-07 73,6 602

A5 2 7850-080-14 190,8 659 C5 2 7850-080-04 190,8 655,6 SB 2 7850-080-07 73 601,4

A6 2 7850-080-14 195,4 663,6 C6 2 7850-080-04 196 660,8 SC 2 7850-080-07 76,4 604,8

AU2 2 LIROS PPSL 200 468,2 CU2 2 LIROS PPSL 200 464,8 SO 4 7850-080-07 211,6

A7 2 7850-080-14 107,8 658,8 C7 2 7850-080-04 106,8 659,8 SU 2 LIROS PPSL 160 317,2

A8 2 7850-080-14 98 649 C8 2 7850-080-04 98 651

AO 2 7850-080-14 96,2 CO 0 7850-080-04 96,2 1 2 7850-080-40 172,6 744,6

A9 2 7850-080-14 91 642 C9 2 7850-080-04 91,6 644,6 2 2 7850-080-40 152,2 724,2

A10 2 7850-080-14 87 638 C10 2 7850-080-04 86,8 639,8 3 2 7850-080-40 138,8 710,8

AO 4 7850-080-14 96,2 CO 4 7850-080-04 96,2 4 2 7850-080-40 130,4 702,4

AU3 2 LIROS PPSL 160 454,8 CU3 2 LIROS PPSL 160 456,8 5 2 7850-080-40 124,6 696,6

6 2 7850-080-40 116,6 688,6

B1 2 7850-080-15 190,8 670,6 D1 2 7850-080-07 190,2 681 7 2 7850-080-40 113 685

B2 2 7850-080-15 180,8 660,6 D2 2 7850-080-07 180,6 671,4 8 2 7850-080-40 113,4 685,4

B3 2 7850-080-15 185,4 665,2 D3 2 7850-080-07 185,8 676,6 9 2 7850-080-40 110,4 682,4

BU1 2 LIROS PPSL 200 479,8 DU1 2 LIROS PPSL 160 490,8 10 2 7850-080-40 104 676

B4 2 7850-080-15 198,8 661,8 D4 2 7850-080-07 198,8 673,4 11 2 7850-080-40 99,6 671,6

B5 2 7850-080-15 190,6 653,6 D5 2 7850-080-07 190,8 665,4 12 2 7850-080-40 94,6 666,6

B6 2 7850-080-15 195,8 658,8 D6 2 7850-080-07 196,2 670,8 13 2 7850-080-40 92,8 664,8

BU2 2 LIROS PPSL 200 463 DU2 2 LIROS PPSL 160 474,6 OO 12 7850-080-40 115

B7 2 7850-080-15 106,4 655 OU 6 7850-080-40 230

B8 2 7850-080-15 97,8 646,4 FU 2 7850-240-040 230

BO 0 7850-080-15 96,2

B9 2 7850-080-15 91,8 640,4

B10 2 7850-080-15 87,8 636,4

BO 4 7850-080-15 96,2

BU3 2 LIROS PPSL 160 452,4

Antea S paramotor