Paragliding is a thrilling and rewarding sport that allows you to soar in the sky like a bird. However, it also requires proper maintenance and care of your equipment, especially your wing. One of the most important aspects of paraglider maintenance is trimming, which is the process of adjusting the length of the lines that connect the wing to the harness. Trimming your paraglider can have a significant impact on its performance, safety, and longevity. In this blog, we will explain what trimming is, how it affects your flight, and how to do it correctly.
What is Trimming and How Does It Work?
Trimming your paraglider is the process of changing the angle of attack of the wing by lengthening or shortening the back risers1. The angle of attack is the angle between the chord line of the wing and the direction of the airflow. By changing the angle of attack, you can change the speed and the lift of the wing. A higher angle of attack means more lift, but also more drag and less speed. A lower angle of attack means less lift, but also less drag and more speed.
The trimmers are straps that are attached to the back risers and can be adjusted by the pilot during flight. By pulling the trimmers down, you shorten the back risers and lower the angle of attack, making the wing faster and more stable. By releasing the trimmers up, you lengthen the back risers and increase the angle of attack, making the wing slower and more agile.
Why is Trimming Important?
Trimming your paraglider is important for several reasons:
It helps you optimize the performance of your wing by increasing its speed range and efficiency. You can use the trimmers to adapt to different wind and thermal conditions, as well as to your personal preferences and flying style.
It helps you improve the safety of your wing by enhancing its stability and collapse recovery. A well-trimmed wing will be less prone to asymmetric collapses, frontal collapses, and stalls. It will also recover faster and more smoothly from these incidents.
It helps you extend the lifespan of your wing by preventing line degradation and deformation. Over time, the lines of your wing can stretch, shrink, or break due to wear and tear, UV exposure, humidity, and temperature changes. This can affect the shape and the balance of your wing, reducing its performance and safety. By trimming your wing regularly, you can restore its original shape and balance, and prevent further damage.
How to Trim Your Paraglider Correctly?
Trimming your paraglider correctly is not a simple task. It requires careful measurement, analysis, and adjustment of each line of your wing. It is recommended to get your paraglider trimmed by a professional after two years or 100 hours of flight time
. However, you can also check and trim your own wing by following these steps:
Lay out your wing on a flat and clean surface, and attach it to a harness or a load cell. Make sure the wing is fully inflated and symmetrical, and the lines are not tangled or twisted.
Measure the length of each line using a tape measure or a laser device. Compare the measurements with the manufacturer’s specifications, which you can find in the manual or on the website of your wing. Note down any deviations from the specifications, and mark the lines that need adjustment.
Adjust the length of the lines by using the trimmers, the maillons, or the knots. The trimmers are the easiest and the most convenient way to adjust the length of the back risers. The maillons are metal links that connect the lines to the risers, and can be opened and closed to add or remove line segments. The knots are loops that are tied at the end of the lines, and can be moved up or down to shorten or lengthen the lines. Be careful not to over-tighten or over-loosen the lines, as this can damage them or cause them to slip.
Re-measure the length of each line after the adjustment, and make sure they match the manufacturer’s specifications. If not, repeat the adjustment process until they do.
Test fly your wing after trimming, and observe how it behaves in the air. If you notice any improvement or deterioration in the performance or the safety of your wing, you can fine-tune the trimming by using the trimmers during flight.
Conclusion
Trimming your paraglider is a vital part of paraglider maintenance that can enhance your flying experience and prolong your wing’s life. By trimming your paraglider regularly and correctly, you can enjoy the best performance and safety of your wing in every flight. Happy flying! 😊
