18 Feb 2014

PG CIVL Competition Class requirement: last revision

Over the past few weeks, the Paragliding Committee created the final (we hope) revision of our CIVL Competition Class document . The changes to the version published early January are clearly marked. In short, this is what changes:

1. Speed limit is expressed in terms of maximum permitted accelerator travel. This is much easier to test and verify than any airspeed measurement (for which to date still no reliable method exists). Our calculations show that the permitted 20cm maximum travel will result in a top speed between 60 and 65 km/h. But we still expect the accelerated flight tests to be the limiting factor for a wing's top speed.

2. As a result of the controversy with the Ozone EnZo 2 (production glider different from tested glider in several points), we added the position of all line attachment points on the canopy to the documentation requirements and to the verification procedures.

3. We require the physical load tests to be performed exactly as defined by

EN 926-1

4. Change of the required maximum weight range: the smallest required size must have a top weight of 100 kg (was 105) or less, the range between smallest and biggest size's top weights must be 25 kg (was 20) or more

5. Clarify measurements and tolerances for compliance verification (chapter 7.2), especially for line diameters, profiles and internal structure

6. Several small modifications to make the text clearer and avoid misunderstandings or misinterpretations

The PGC will present this version as an amendment to the Plenary's agenda, and the intention is to have this version voted on instead of R1.9 that was part of the Plenary invitation.