Woody Valley X-ALPS User manual

THANK YOU!
We would like to thank you for having chosen one of our products, and we invite you to read this important document, the User Manual for the
harness. Please pay special attention to the two most important paragraphs, regarding:
Insertion of the reserve parachute.
The reserve parachute is a piece of equipment that may save your life. It must be treated so that it works correctly when it is required,
whether this happens in two days’ time, or two years from now.
Adjusting the harness.
The harness forms the connection between the pilot and the paraglider, and it is an essential component in optimizing performance and the
pleasure of flying. A bad harness that is well adjusted may enable you to fly well, but a good harness that is badly adjusted may put you off
flying altogether.
We are confident that this harness will give you greater comfort, control, performance and enjoyment in flight. We are conscious of the fact
that reading an instruction manual is not an exciting experience. However, please remember that the respective product is not a citrus juicer
or a mobile phone, and that correct use of the harness helps reduce the risk of flying accidents. This manual contains all the information
necessary to assemble, adjust, fly and store your harness. Thorough knowledge of your equipment will improve your personal safety and your
level of flying.
The Woody Valley team
SAFETY NOTE
You have purchased a piece of equipment manufactured by us, and so you are aware of your identity as a paraglider pilot holding the
respective pilot’s licence, and you accept all the risks connected to paragliding including the possibility of injury and death. The incorrect or
inappropriate use of Woody Valley equipment greatly increases this risk. In no case can Woody Valley and the Woody Valley retailer be held
responsible for personal injury caused to yourself or to third parties, or for whatever type of damage. If you have any doubts on the use of our
equipment, please contact your retailer or the importer for your country.

INDEX
1- GENERAL INFORMATION..................................................................................................................................................................................... 1
1.1- CONCEPT...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................1
1.2- X-ALPS PROTECTION ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................2
2- BEFORE USING THE HARNESS ............................................................................................................................................................................ 2
2.1- EMERGENCY PARACHUTE .....................................................................................................................................................................................................................2
2.1.1- Connecting the deployment handle to the deployment bag........................................................................................................................................2
2.1.2- Connecting the emergency parachute to the harness ..................................................................................................................................................3
2.1.3- Inserting the emergency parachute ...................................................................................................................................................................................5
2.1.4- Reserve parachute deployment...........................................................................................................................................................................................7
2.1.5- Back storage pocket................................................................................................................................................................................................................7
2.2- HARNESS ADJUSTMENTS .....................................................................................................................................................................................................................9
2.2.1- Adjusting seat and back position...................................................................................................................................................................................... 10
2.2.2- Shoulder strap adjustment................................................................................................................................................................................................ 11
2.2.3- Chest strap adjustment ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 12
2.2.4- Adjusting the emergency parachute container and cockpit..................................................................................................................................... 12
2.2.5- Leg strap adjustment .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 12
2.2.6- Stabilizer ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 13
2.2.7- ABS adjustment .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 13
2.2.8- Leg cover adjustment.......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 14
2.2.9- Speed-bar adjustment ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 15

3- FLYING WITH THE X-ALPS HARNESS................................................................................................................................................................ 16
3.1- PRE-FLIGHT CHECKS ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 16
3.2- POCKETS............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 16
3.3- FLYING ABOVE WATER ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 16
3.4- AERO-TOWING HOOK ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 17
3.5- LANDING WITH THE X-ALPS HARNESS............................................................................................................................................................................................. 17
4- PACKING THE HARNESS.................................................................................................................................................................................... 17
5- MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS........................................................................................................................................................................... 18
6- TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS ............................................................................................................................................................................ 20

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1- GENERAL INFORMATION
This equipment should contain:
Harness
Polycarbonate seat plate
Composite foot plate
Hook-in karabiners
Emergency parachute deployment handle
Two spare elastic loops for fastening the emergency parachute container
Three-step speed-bar
Bridle
Rucsac
1.1- Concept
X-ALPS was created principally for the like-named paragliding competition, but its light weight, convenience and dynamic performance have
made it popular with all pilots who like para-trekking. In addition, its geometry and active flying characteristics make it ideal for cross-country
pilots, and in fact this harness was designed for maximum comfort and simplicity of use. As it was created specifically for this type of
competition, and with the objective of reducing weight and bulk as far as possible, it does not have any back protection. Even though the
harness cannot be given certification, because of the lack of back protection, its structural frame has in any case passed the breaking
strength test performed as part of the LTF procedure. Its low aerodynamic drag considerably improves the performance of competition
paragliders.
The leg straps and chest strap are fitted with the “GET-UP safety system” which prevents the pilot from sliding out of the harness in the case
that he or she forgets to fasten the leg straps.

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1.2- X-ALPS protection
IMPORTANT:
- X-ALPS is not fitted with back protection.
2- BEFORE USING THE HARNESS
X-ALPS must be assembled by a qualified paragliding professional, such as your instructor. More specifically, great care has to be dedicated to
inserting the reserve parachute into the harness in the correct way. Only after this has been performed should the pilot adjust the harness for
maximum comfort.
2.1- Emergency parachute
The emergency parachute container is in the ventral section. The container was designed for very light emergency parachutes, with a lower
volume than standard chutes. The parachute has to be connected to the bridle provided before inserting it into the ventral container. The
bridle splits into two straps which are fastened to the main harness karabiners. With this type of link between the emergency parachute and
the harness, the emergency parachute can be deployed from left or from right.
2.1.1- Connecting the deployment handle to the deployment bag
X-ALPS is supplied complete with the handle for parachute deployment, marked as n° 13; this deployment handle only should be used.
The black loop on the handle should be put through the loop attached to the deployment bag, and then the entire handle should be passed
through the handle’s loop in order to link the two. In this harness, to facilitate deployment, we recommend linking the handle to the loop
situated in the central part of the deployment bag. If your deployment bag does not have this loop, please contact your emergency parachute
retailer.

2.1.2- Connecting the emergency parachute to the harness
There are two methods for connecting the emergency parachute bridle to the harness risers.
First system:
Use a karabiner with a screw collar and a breaking strength of at least 2000 kg. In this case, the emergency parachute risers should be held in
position within the karabiner using elastic bands, to prevent the karabiner from rotating into a lateral position which could cause it to undergo
a dangerous lateral stress in the case of deployment. The screw collar should be tightened very firmly to prevent accidental opening. This type
of connection can withstand a higher shock on deployment than the second system, and it is without doubt the best system to use.
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Second system:
The reserve parachute bridle is passed through the loop at the end of the harness reserve parachute bridle. The reserve parachute itself is
then passed through the large loop in the reserve parachute bridle. This connects the two bridles. The loops should be pulled as tight as
possible to avoid any chance of dangerous friction developing between the two bridles during the shock caused when the reserve parachute
opens. To ensure that the link between the two bridles remains tight, remember to fasten the knot using the Velcro strip on the harness
reserve parachute bridle.
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2.1.3- Inserting the emergency parachute
Fasten the emergency parachute bridle using the two Velcro strips inside the parachute container, ensuring that the two loops leading to the
main karabiners are on opposite sides and emerge from the cockpit symmetrically, therefore with the same length. These two loops also
make it possible to adjust the height of the container. We recommend fastening the Velcro as shown in the photo, in other words with the
edge at the extremity of the container. If this is not satisfactory, remove the emergency parachute and repeat the steps as described below.
Then carefully arrange the bridle inside the container.
Insert the parachute into the harness container so that the deployment handle is visible and facing outwards, and with the loop that connects
the handle to the deployment back facing upwards. Thread a thin cord (such as a paraglider shroud line) into each elastic loop. This will make
it easier to close the container.
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Insert the elastic loops into the smaller grommets (smaller with respect to the others on the edge of the container). Close the flaps in the
order shown in the drawings/photos below.
Inset the metal pins into the elastic loops, and insert the handle under the fabric flaps. The thin cord must be removed after completing this
step. It should be drawn out slowly in order not to damage the elastic loops by excessive friction. Lastly, connect the right-hand loop of the
emergency parachute bridle to the right-hand main karabiner.
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