Delivery
Every ADVANCE harness must be checked by the authorized dealer before delivery to ensure that the scope of delivery is complete and that the basic settings are correct.
Register your new ADVANCE product in your MyADVANCE account no later than 10 days after purchase to benefit from the extended ADVANCE warranty. More information under Warranty.
Delivery includes
- Main protector
- 3 SAS-TEC Elements
- Inner container with handle
- Honeycomb Seatboard PP
- 2 Alu carabiners EDELRID
- Speed system
- Getting Started Booklet
Options
- Foot stirrup
- Cockpit
- Hook knife
- Radio pocket
Installing a reserve
General
The AXESS 5 has an integrated reserve compartment.
Important advice about the reserve system
Every reserve/harness combination has its own characteristics. It is essential that pilot and packer have confidence in the system, and are therefore thoroughly familiar with its operation – especially when a new combination is installed (new reserve in existing harness or vice versa), so that reliable functioning is assured.
Compatibility of the reserve/harness system
Bulky reserves of an older generation can be relatively difficult to release from compact, modern harnesses, especially under high-G circumstances. Certified volumes of reserves for the AXESS 5 reserve compartment are a function of harness size: S: 2.5 - 6.0 liters, M: 2.5 - 6.0 liters, L: 2.5 - 6.5 liters.
AXESS 5.
Steerable reserves
The AXESS 5 can also be used with a steerable reserve. Connection to the harness should be made with two maillons of minimum strength of 2,400 daN, direct to the coloured marked suspension points under the covers on the shoulder straps. Then the steerable risers and lines should be led through the channel on the harness to the reserve compartment.
Packing the reserve in the inner container
General
The release handle and the five-flap inner container are connected and designed in such a way that the pull from the release handle is evenly distributed over the entire width of the inner container. This reduces the risk of the inner container jamming in the reserve compartment and of reserve lines entangling with the inner container, and guarantees optimal deployment. The release handle used with the five-flap inner container is part of the harness and complies with the latest certification requirements according to NfL.
Packing the reserve parachute in the inner container
Always pack your reserve parachute to fit the shape and size of the supplied inner container. Place the rescue lines in the back in the direction of flight/throw. When all lines are stowed, there should be about 90 cm of line length left to the bridle.
Close inner container
Close the five-flap inner container in the order of the numbers on each flap 1-3. Secure the last flap 3 with a line loop that should be about 5 to 6 cm long (about 3 fingers wide). Now check the pull of the elastic and shorten or lengthen it as needed.
Close the last flap of the container with two line loops of equal length (5 to 6 cm). These final loops are held by two elastics that pass through the eyelets of the outer flap of the container. The two elastics are pre-assembled at the factory.
Connecting the reserve to the harness
By looping
Based on extensive testing, ADVANCE harnesses can also be looped with Companion reserves, provided basic precautions such as center looping and maximum tightening of the straps are observed. We cannot make any binding statement about the strength of ADVANCE harnesses in combination with other reserve systems.
1. Looping
2. Detailed view
3. Neoprene cover
Connect the sewn bridles of the AXESS 5 and the bridle of your rescue parachute with a Maillon Rapide of at least 2,400 daN strength. Secure the straps in the Maillon with a rubber ring or neoprene tape, to prevent slipping and thus transverse loading of the Maillon in the event of a reserve deployment.
1. Using a Maillon Rapide
2. Neoprene cover
Putting the inner container in the reserve compartment
When installing the reserve, always place the bridle in the reserve compartment first and then the inner container. It is essential that the inner container closure flaps face the bottom (when in flight) of the harness. Follow the directions indicated on the inner container and the inside of the reserve compartment. Silver dot to silver dot! The connection to the reserve handle must be without twists.
Closing the reserve compartment
The outer container flaps are closed by loops (1) and cable (2). Outer container design supplies the necessary tensions and pressures on the closure loops and cable.
First fold the outer container sides (3) in. The left side goes between the flaps of the right side (Labyrinth seal). The Labyrinth closes itself using small magnets. Now carefully slide the right hand zipper from right to left, then back to the right (4) and stow it in its zipper garage.
Next in sequence comes the zip on the left side, which closes the harness/reserve connection channel. Carefully guide the zip puller all the way down the left side of the container – to the start of the zip track. Then return it upwards (5) to close the channel. Finally stow this zipper in its zipper garage.
Securing the reserve handle
The two eyelets for the release loops are on the Neoprene pocket that holds the release handle. Fold this pocket (6) down and push the end of the reserve handle inside (7).
Using two short lengths of line thread the two white closure loops (1) through the metal eyelets, secure the white loops with the ends of the yellow cable (8) and lead these into their buttonholes (9). It is also possible to do this for the AXESS 5 without the help of the packing lines.
Remove these lines carefully, leading them under the yellow cables to avoid damaging the white loops by friction.
Compatibility Test
The correct installation of the reserve must essentially be tested by a trial release. Put the harness on, close it completely and then clip yourself with the AXESS 5 by the two main carabiners into a harness hanger. Then pull out the reserve as if in flight.
Operation of the reserve handle must take place in a normal flying position, and work without hindrance, in accordance with the requirements of this manual. You therefore must be sitting in the harness. If you are not sure of this procedure you should contact a qualified person or your ADVANCE dealer.
Here are some factors that could make a reserve deployment difficult or impossible:
- Reserve too big for the compartment or inner container.
- Reserve not packed to the dimensions of the inner container.
- Reserve not pulled out with the correct technique. A pull then throw to the side is correct.
- The volume of the reserve worked originally in the new harness, but after a repack it has become too big.
- Pilot dimensions and arm length may have a significant effect on reserve-throwing success. Small pilots with short arms can have difficulties.
- Conditions such as high G-loading (3G +, as in spiral dive).
Adjusting the harness
Preparation and basic settings
General information
- Install the reserve before adjusting the harness.
- Load the back compartment with your equipment.
- Set all straps to the basic settings (as delivered).
- Close the harness and hang yourself (in the harness) up in a harness hanger.
- Make adjustments if necessary. The main straps are also adjustable in flight.
Basic settings
Adjustment steps
Adjusting the upper body angle
Upper body attitude is altered by the adjustable back straps (1). Pull them in to a reasonably upright back position at which you feel comfortable. They also set the recline angle quickly and easily during flight. These straps are mounted relatively high at the sides to give good back support, and take weight off your shoulders. Pulling in the back straps results in an upright back – loosening them completely will put the pilot in something approaching a lying position. ADVANCE recommend the basic setting.
Setting the shoulder straps
The AXESS 5 shoulder straps (2) can be adjusted to suit the pilot’s height and desired sitting position. The neoprene-covered adjusters are at shoulder height and can be set to any position. Pull in the shoulder straps to a loose fit, until they provide light support without putting pressure on the shoulders.
Chest strap adjustment
The chest strap (3) is used to change the distance between the carabiners. The chest strap is secured with the automatic Quick-release buckles and these make up the Safe-T-System. The wider the chest strap the more agile the seat, and therefore the more effective will be steering by weightshift. A narrow setting results in a quiet and damped feeling from the wing. The adjustment range is very large and the harness agility can be changed to any setting to suit the conditions, as the pilot prefers.
Leg strap adjustment
The two leg straps (4) should be adjusted equally, and to a reasonable length that allows free movement during takeoff. This helps with a safe takeoff, and makes sure that you can easily get into your comfortable position when clear of the ground. To adjust the leg straps tilt the seat board forward. The buckles are directly under the seat board trailing edge. The length of the leg straps does not affect agility and weight-shift steering.
Seatboard angle adjustment
The seatboard (5) angle can be quickly adjusted to any position. Seatboard setting is purely a matter of taste, to suit the pilot’s preference.
Setting the small chest strap
The small chest (6) strap holds the shoulder straps in the best position for takeoff and landing. The width can be adjusted to any position.
Setting up the speed system
The speed system is already fitted and only needs to be adjusted for length.
- Make sure that the speed lines run freely through all their pulleys on the harness.
- Connect the speed lines to the risers by Brummel hooks or anchor hitches.
- Make sure that your final setting allows the full travel of the speed system to be used.
