Woody Valley X-Alps GTO 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 inserted 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 great 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 this 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.
Team Woody Valley
SAFETY NOTE
By the purchase of Woody Valley equipment, you are responsible for being a certified paraglider pilot and you accept all risks inherent with
paragliding activities including injury and death. Improper use or misuse of equipment greatly increases these risks. In no case shall Woody
Valley or Woody Valley equipment resellers be held liable for personal or third party injuries or damages under any circumstances. If any
aspect of the use of our equipment remains unclear, please contact your local reseller or Woody Valley directly.

INDEX
1- GENERAL INFORMATION..................................................................................................................................................................................... 1
1.1- CONCEPT...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................2
1.2- X-ALPS GTO PROTECTION .................................................................................................................................................................................................................2
1.3- MINI T-LOCK SYSTEM ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................2
1.4- S.O.S. LABER .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................3
2- BEFORE USE......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
2.1- RESERVE PARACHUTE ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................4
2.1.1- Connecting the deployment handle to the deployment bag........................................................................................................................................4
2.1.2- Connecting the reserve parachute to the harness.........................................................................................................................................................5
2.1.3- Inserting the reserve parachute into the harness..........................................................................................................................................................7
2.1.4- Extracting the reserve parachute .......................................................................................................................................................................................8
2.2- FRONT RESERVE PARACHUTE...............................................................................................................................................................................................................9
2.2.1- Connecting the deployment handle to the deployment bag........................................................................................................................................9
2.2.2- Connecting the front emergency parachute to the harness .................................................................................................................................... 10
2.2.3- Inserting the front emergency parachute ..................................................................................................................................................................... 11
2.2.4- Extracting the front reserve parachute.......................................................................................................................................................................... 13
2.2.5- Back storage pocket............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 14
2.3- HARNESS ADJUSTMENTS .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 15
2.3.1- Adjusting seat and back position ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 16
2.3.2- Shoulder strap adjustment................................................................................................................................................................................................ 17
2.3.3- Chest strap adjustment ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 18
2.3.4- Leg strap adjustment .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 18

2.3.5- Stabilizer................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 19
2.3.6- ABS adjustment .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 19
2.3.7- Leg cover................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 20
2.3.8- Speed-bar adjustment ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 21
3- FLYING WITH THE X-ALPS GTO HARNESS........................................................................................................................................................ 22
3.1- PRE-FLIGHT CHECKS ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 22
3.2- POCKETS............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 22
3.3- WATER BLADDER ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 24
3.4- FRONT BALLAST INSTALLATION AND USE OF THE COCKPIT .............................................................................................................................................................. 24
3.5- INSTALLING THE LOWER BALLAST..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 26
3.6- FLYING ABOVE WATER ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 27
3.7- AERO-TOWING HOOK ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 27
3.8- LANDING WITH THE X-ALPS GTO.................................................................................................................................................................................................... 28
3.9- HARNESS DISPOSAL .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 28
3.10-RULES OF CONDUCT IN NATURAL ENVIRONMENT............................................................................................................................................................................ 28
4- PACKING THE HARNESS.................................................................................................................................................................................... 29
5- FEATURES AND ASSEMBLY OF OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES .............................................................................................................................. 30
5.1- BALLAST BAG .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 30
5.2- EMERGENCY PARACHUTE CONTAINER WITH DEPLOYMENT ON THE LEFT ......................................................................................................................................... 30
5.3 -SIDE PROTECTION ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 31
6- MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS........................................................................................................................................................................... 32
7- DATI TECNICI...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 33

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1- GENERAL INFORMATION
This equipment should contain:
Harness
Carbon 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
Dorsal protection
The optional accessories available are:
Ballast bag, with carrying handle, tube, and drainage tap
Emergency parachute with deployment on left-hand side
Front parachute
Side protection

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1.1- Concept
Following the success of the first model, the new version of the X-Alps GTO includes a number of improvements and new technical features
designed to improve the safety and pleasure of flying, while at the same time maintaining the lightness, comfort and control requirements
that have always distinguished Woody Valley products.
The geometry of the load-bearing structure, combined with its active piloting, render it fully capable of satisfying the needs of a wide range of
pilots, while even ensuring ease of transport thanks to its exceptional lightness, and all in full compliance with the LTF protocol.
Leg-straps and chest straps are fitted with the ‘‘GET-UP safety system,’’ and with the innovative ‘‘Mini T-Lock system’’ that prevents the pilot
from slipping out of the harness in the case that he or she has forgotten to fasten the leg straps.
1.2- X-ALPS GTO protection
The X-ALPS GTO harness is fitted with new LTF-certified dorsal protection with a 12 cm layer of foam.
1.3- Mini T-Lock System
The Woody Valley team has renovated its previous DRC system by developing a new mechanism that’s aimed at addressing the issue of
forgetting to fasten the chest and leg straps. The system includes two females buckles attached to a load bearing carabiner, and another
attached to the leg-cover’s closure element; the central element that allows for the buckles to be fastened is attached to the leg strap: in this
manner, in order to properly close the leg-cover, the pilot is required to grasp the leg strap, and is thus reminded to close it.
The new system offers improved manageability and a more intuitive interface, and can even be used even while wearing gloves.

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1.4- S.O.S. Laber
This label, coloured red with white lettering, is readily visible in a pocket on the right shoulder-strap padding. It is easy to pull out, and it is
fastened to the harness to prevent it from being lost. On the back of this label, you can write the information that you think should be given to
rescue personnel in case of accident.
2- BEFORE USE
The X-ALPS GTO harness is supplied with dorsal protection and a polycarbonate plate, which have already been assembled by the
manufacturer. The emergency parachute must be fitted with great care by a qualified professional, such as your instructor. Only after this
operation should the pilot adjust the harness for optimum comfort.

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2.1- Reserve parachute
The new X-Alps GTO provides for two configurations:
1. with the parachute container in the classic position, beneath the seat at the front;
2. with a second parachute lodged beneath the cockpit at the front (optional).
The lower reserve parachute must be attached to the harness before being inserted into the built-in container, which has been modified with
an elastic bulkhead that allows for parachutes of different volumes to be inserted in stable positions. This connection withe the harness takes
the form of a dual bridle fixed to the harness at shoulder height, for better load distribution and to ensure a correct landing position in the
case that the reserve parachute is deployed. This helps reduce the risk of injury to a minimum. The reserve chute bridle has a large central
loop coloured red, and this is reinforced with a cover in Cordura 500. At the extremity of the loop, there is a Velcro band which enables the link
with the reserve parachute to be held firmly in position.
2.1.1- Connecting the deployment handle to the deployment bag
X-ALPS GTO is supplied with a handle for reserve parachute extraction. It is identified with the n. 6; this handle alone should be used for this
purpose. The black loop attached to the handle itself should be passed into the loop on the deployment bag, and then the entire handle should
be passed through its own loop and pulled tight. For easier extraction, the loop attached to the deployment bag should be positioned laterally
with respect to the centre of the reserve parachute. If your deployment bag does not have this loop, please contact the retailer from whom
you purchased the reserve parachute.

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2.1.2- Connecting the reserve parachute to the harness
There are three different methods of attaching the reserve parachute bridle to the harness bridle.
First system:
Use a screw-lock karabiner with a breaking strength of at least 2400 kg. In this case, the bridles should be held in position within the karabiner
using elastic bands, to prevent the karabiner from rotating and taking the strain laterally instead of vertically. The karabiner’s screw-lock
should be tightly screwed shut to avoid any possibility of it opening accidentally. This type of connection can absorb a higher opening shock
than the second system, and for this reason this is without doubt the recommended system.
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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Third system:
If you are using a reserve parachute with directional control and dual bridle, or if your reserve parachute in any case has a double-riser bridle,
it can be connected to the harness using the two loops positioned at the base of the harness bridle, near the padded shoulder straps. In this
case, the harness’ reserve parachute bridle will not be used, and so it should be folded, fastened using two elastic bands, and positioned under
the cover behind the pilot’s neck.
The two connections should be made using screw-lock karabiners with a breaking strength of at least 1,400 kg. In any case, it is important to
verify that the length of the bridle is sufficient to position the reserve parachute inside the harness pocket, and that there is sufficient play to
enable the parachute to be taken out of the pocket without causing the reserve parachute deployment bag itself to open during extraction.