Ozone SPARK Manuel page 15

with any brake inputs or you may stall the opposite wing.
If this does not work, a full stall is another option. This should not
be done unless you have been taught how to do so and it can only
be done with a safe amount of altitude. Remember if the rotation is
accelerating and you are unable to control it, you should use your
reserve parachute whilst you still have enough time and altitude.
IMPORTANT: A bad preparation on launch, aerobatic flying,
flying a wing of too high a level or in conditions too strong
for your ability, are the main causes of cravats.
ACROBATIC FLYING
The Spark has been designed as a PPG wing and is not suitable for
acrobatic manoeuvres.
A specific standard of certification for acrobatic flying has not
been set up yet. Ozone wings although designed to the highest
specifications are, therefore, not certified for this type of flying. As
acrobatic manoeuvres are very difficult and incorrectly performed
manoeuvres can put abnormal stresses on the glider and lead to
loss of pilot control, Ozone strongly recommend you do not under-
take this style of flying.
CARING FOR YOUR WING
Careless ground handling damages many paragliders. Here are
some things to avoid in order to prolong the life of your aircraft:
• DO NOT drag your wing along the ground to another take-off
position - this damages the sailcloth. Lift it up and carry it.
• DO NOT try to open your wing in strong winds without untan-
gling the lines first - this puts unnecessary strain on the lines.
• DO NOT walk on the wing or lines.
• DO NOT repeatedly inflate the glider and then allow it to crash
back down. Try to keep this movement as smooth as possible
by moving towards the glider as it comes down.
• DO NOT slam your Spark down on the ground leading edge
first! This impact puts great strain on the wing and stitching
and can even explode cells.
• FLYING in salty air, in areas with abrasive surfaces (sand,
rocks etc.) and ground handling in strong winds will accelerate
the aging process.
It is recommended that you regularly CHECK your Spark, espe-
cially after a heavy period of use, after an incident or after a long
period of storage.
Cleaning
Any kind of wiping/scratching can damage the coating of the
cloth. We recommend for cleaning your Spark, you use a soft cloth
dampened only with water and to use gentle movements little by
little across the surface.
Never use any detergent or chemical cleaners
Storage
Always store all your flying equipment in a dry room, protected
from the direct heat.
Your wing should be dry before being packed away. Heat and
humidity are the worst factors in damaging your glider. (Stor-
ing a damp glider in your car under the sun would be terrible for
example). Dry your wing preferably out of the sun, in the wind.
Never use a hair dryer, etc. If you land in the salt water, you must
clean it with fresh water first and then dry it.
Take care that no insects get packed away with the wing. They
may eat the cloth and make holes in a bid to escape. They can also
leave acidic deposits if they die and decompose.
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