Use in Practice

Using the Windshield

Cross-country advantages

The Windshield has two distinct advantages for cross-country flying, which will only become obvious when you have tried it for yourself. The first: the Windshield reduces windchill a lot, and therefore delays upper body cooling. Second: it suppresses annoying and tiring wind noise, and reduces wind pressure on the face and eyes.

HintWe encourage you to try out the Windshield for yourself and feel the difference.

Careful packing & storing

Never pack the harness with the Windshield still in place. Take the Windshield off after landing, before laying the harness on the ground, and put it in its gray cover so it doesn’t get scratched. Always store the Windshield flat so that it doesn’t get bent, preferably tucked between the folds of the glider, after it is packed in its COMPRESSBAG.

Speedbag use

For takeoff

A quick and trouble-free step into the speedbag after takeoff needs some practice for any reclining harness. With the right technique you should be able to do this without using your hands (letting go of the brakes).

Observe the following instructions:

  1. At liftoff remain in a forward-leaning attitude and do not slide into the harness.
  2. After liftoff look quickly down at the speedbag opening.
  3. Put your right heel in the opening and tension the speedbag.
  4. Put your left leg into the speedbag and follow it with the right.
  5. Stretch both legs forward on the footboard. The speedbag will close by itself.
HintAlternatively, you can attach the elastic connector to your footwear to make it easier to get into the speedbag. The connector is pre-mounted in the speedbag.

For landing

Get both legs out of the speedbag in good time before landing and adopt an upright position. A stand-up landing should always be made to avoid damage to yourself or your equipment.

Speed system handling

Symmetrical acceleration

The two rungs of the WEIGHTLESS speed loop are reinforced in the middle. This not only increases comfort when pushing the accelerator, but also makes it easier to center the feet in the accelerator and thus accelerate symmetrically.

Changing to the second step

Use only one foot to accelerate with the first rung, and leave the other on the footboard. The second foot takes over the load when stepping into the second rung. Be careful not to press the heels into the speedbag fabric. Heels should not be lower than the bottom of the footboard. Low heels can spoil the clean speedbag airflow (more drag), and could overstretch and damage the material.

Setting up the speed system is described in detail in chapter Setting up the speed system.

WarningMake sure the speed system is always connected to the wing in flight, even when you do not intend to use it. A loose speed line could prevent a successful reserve deployment.

Packing the equipment

The WEIGHTLESS is easy to pack due to its compact dimensions. Put the speedbag including the foot plate into the seat. Then fold the harness once and fold the rear spoiler. Turn the now compact package over once as shown in the picture.Prepare your rucksack and your glider as shown in the picture. Put your glider in the backpack and slide it all the way down under the rucksack flap. Then place the folded harness on top of the glider with the protector facing upwards and pull the flap of the rucksack over the glider and the harness. This will allow the zipper to close smoothly.

WarningAlways remove the Windshield before packing.
InfoWhen closing the rucksack, always make sure the zipper runs smoothly. It should never be under lateral tension when pulling the zipper.

Handle with Care

WarningThe life of your LIGHTPACK highly depends on your care. Mechanical stresses such as dragging on the ground etc. accelerate the ageing process and should be avoided. A lightweight product is much more sensitive to stress of all kinds.

Emergencies

Reserve

Throwing the reserve

Use the correct technique to release and throw the reserve. This is a pull then throw to the side. Do not pull straight up. Throw the reserve inner container as far away as possible in the transverse direction so that the lines are quickly extended and tensioned.

HintWe recommend that you make a brief tactile check on your reserve handle during every flight. This will program the subconscious as to where it is. We advise that you also mentally rehearse the throwing technique.

In strong rotational flight such as a spiral dive, very high G-loading can occur. This can make reserve throwing much more difficult. 

HintTake your harness along to a G-Force Trainer and practise releasing your reserve under high G-loading.

Landing under the reserve

After throwing a reserve get your feet out of the speedbag immediately and stabilise the paraglider. Then try to open the cockpit and the speedbag while descending, so that you only have to open the T-piece of the front harness after touchdown.

Reserve landing in strong wind

In a strong surface wind there’s a risk that the pilot, attached at the shoulders, will be dragged over the ground by the reserve and paraglider. Options for dealing with this are distinctly limited. This is why it is important that all buckles except the front strap should be open before touchdown.

WarningIn the event of very strong winds on the ground, consider also cutting the paraglider risers on at least one side with the hook knife before touchdown.
WarningIf a buckle or the speedbag cannot be opened, cut it with the hook knife before touching down on the ground.
WarningThe front buckle will not open under tension. Immediately after touchdown, open the T-piece as soon as it unloads. If this is not possible, use the hook knife here as well and cut the strap.

Water landing

Water landings are dangerous and should be avoided at all costs. Landing in flowing water or in coastal surf is often fatal (drowning). ADVANCE recommends that you always carry a hook knife.

WarningLanding in water with a speedbag also raises the danger level, in that there are more fastenings to open than for a simple sit-up harness.
WarningAfter a water landing, separate yourself from your harness as quickly as possible and get clear of your equipment so that you do not get caught up in the reserve or paraglider lines.
WarningYou should be aware that the foam protector in any harness will try to float. This can automatically tip the pilot head down in the water.

Involuntary reserve descent into water

Especially in this case it is very important, if possible, to get out of the speedbag before splashdown, and open all buckles except the front belt or use the hook knife. Immediately after entering the water the front belt must be opened or cut. Get away from the harness and all your equipment as quickly as possible.

WarningThe front strap will not open under load.

Water landing without reserve

Everything described so far applies. Depending on the situation and danger (current, waves) it may be useful to cut straps with the hook knife before touching down, as the front strap cannot be opened under tension, or even to cut all straps and jump or slide out of the harness into the water.

WarningIf a buckle or speedbag will not open, cut it with the hook knife before landing in the water. You can mount a hook knife on the shoulder strap and secure it with a long line.

Maintenance and care of the harness after a water landing

After contact with water, all protectors and the comfort foam should be removed from the WEIGHTLESS. See chapter "Installing/removing components". Everything should then be allowed to dry in a shaded place outside, or carefully laid out in a dry room – or the harness could be hung by its carabiners and gently wafted to and fro. The reserve must be taken out and dried separately. Obviously it should then be repacked.

InfoThe protectors may take several days to dry

Tree landing

In the event of a tree landing, with or without a reserve parachute, there is a risk of a possible fall.

WarningThe most dangerous part of a tree landing is climbing down. Always wait for a rescue party to get you out of the tree.
InfoWe recommend that you keep a rope sling with a carabiner in the cockpit so that you can secure your harness to a branch and relax while you wait.