Maintenance Checks - Ozone SPARK Manuel

MAINTENANCE CHECKS

Your wing, like a car, should be technically checked to ensure
proper airworthiness.
Your wing should be checked by a qualified professional for the
first time after 24 months, or after 100 hours. However, if you are
a frequent flyer (more than 80 hrs per year), then we recommend,
that you get your glider checked after every annually.
The checker should inform you about the condition of your glider
and if some parts will need to be checked or changed before the
next normal service check period.
The sail and the lines do not age in the same way or at the same
rate; it is possible that you may have to change part or all of the
lines during the wing's life. For this reason it is important to do
regular inspections so that you know the exact condition of all of
the components of your glider. We recommend that inspections are
carried out by a qualified professional.
You alone are responsible for your flying kit and your safety
depends on it. Take care of your equipment and have it regularly
inspected. Changes in inflation/groundhandling/flying behaviour
indicates the gliders aging, if you notice any changes you should
have the wing checked before flying again.
These are the basic elements of the check up (full details and per-
missible figures can be found on our website):
Porosity is measured with a porosity meter, the time taken by a
certain volume of air to go through a certain surface of the cloth.
The time in seconds is the result. A measurement is done in a sev-
eral places on the top surface along the span of the glider behind
the leading edge.
The tearing resistance of the cloth - A non-destructive test follow-
ing the TS-108 standard which specifies minimum tear strength for
sky diving canopies should be made using a Bettsometer. (B.M.A.A.
Approved Patent No. GB 2270768 Clive Betts Sails)
Strength of the lines - An upper, middle and lower A line, along
with a lower B and a lower C (and lower D if applicable) line should
be tested for strength. Each line is tested to breaking point and
the value recorded. The minimum value is 8 G for all lower A+B
lines and 6 G for all lower remaining lines, calculated from the
maximum certified flying weight of the glider. The added minimum
strength for the middle lines and for the top lines should be the
same.
If the breaking strength is too close to the minimum value calcu-
lated, the professional should give a period after which you will
have to test the strength of the lines again.
Lengths of the lines - The overall length (riser lines + mid lines +
upper lines) has to be checked under 5Kgs of tension. The differ-
ence between the measured length and the original length should
not exceed +/- 10mm.
The changes that could appear are a slight shrink on the C or Ds
and/or a slight stretch on the A, B. The consequences of these
changes can include a slower trim speed, difficult inflation etc.
Full check - A full visual check should be carried out: All the
components of the wing (stitching, ribs, diagonals, lines, tabs, ...)
should be checked for signs of deterioration.
Finally, a flight test that confirms that the wing behaves normally
should be carried out by the professional.
IMPORTANT: Take care of your glider and make sure you
have it checked according to the above schedule: This will
ensure you hours of safe flying.
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