Getting started (PDF) - Advance

Getting started
english

Welcome to ADVANCE
Many thanks for choosing ADVANCE. We are
one of the world’s leading paraglider manufacturers
and are based in Switzerland. Since
1988 we have consistently followed our own
paths and concepts, both in development
and production. We hope that your PI will
bring you many rewarding hours in the air.
ribs, thus saving more weight. The certified
weight range allows for a very wide range of
wing loadings and the PI is one of the lightest
serial gliders, designed for Hike & Fly pilots
right up to the Extreme Alpinist variety. Soaring
and thermal flying are very much possible
in good conditions.
The PI is a completely new development.
Made of light materials it has a clever line
configuration which does away with diagonal

Getting started
This guide gives you a brief look at using
your PI, but it does not replace the official
manual, where you will find detailed instructions
about setting up, flying characteristics,
manoeuvring, upkeep and service.
The manual can be downloaded from
www.advance.ch/pi

You as pilot
The PI certified weight range covers very different
wing loadings and this puts a correspondingly
varied range of demands on its
55
55
pilots:
in this weight range. The PI really does offer
an alternative low-end intermediate to
the mountain walker, hiker, traveller, or
just a weight-sensitive pilot.
50 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100 105 110115
115
50 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100 105 110
Hike&Fly Pleasure Range: Here the PI is
aimed at leisure Hike & Flyers who would
like to spend some time thermaling after
walking up an off road peak. Even allowing
for the relatively small wing the PI climbs
well and has a notable glide performance
Mountain Intense Range: This is the upper
weight range, where the PI is intended for
mountain and high-altitude touring. In the
Mountain Intense Range the small wing
provides dynamic flying fun with agreeable
agile handling – suitable for pilots who

50 55
60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100 105 110 115
have the experience to cope with the dynamic
behaviour of a small wing. When
flown in this weight range the PI is a wing
for experienced pilots and frequent flyers.
kg
50
55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100 105 110 115
PI 19
PI 23

Delivery and initial settings
Every ADVANCE paraglider has to be flown
by the dealer before delivery to check for
correct basic settings. Any personal alteration
you make to the paraglider will result in it losing
its certification. The brake line lengths
should not be altered. They are set at the
factory so that, with brakes fully released,
the trailing edge remains unbraked in accelerated
flight.
The PI delivery package contains:
• PIPACK
• Compressing inner bag
• Repair kit
• Mini windsock
• Booklet ’Getting started’
Risers with an accelerate system (speed system
and trimmers) are available as an option.

Caution: If the original risers are
changed for the optional risers the
PI loses its certification!
PIPACK – the tailor-made light packsack

Handling and manoeuvring
The required level of piloting for the PI depends
on the wing loading. Please note that
at high wing loading the PI is a dynamic wing.
Be aware of the sink rate during steep turn
reversals and plan the end of your flight accordingly.
It is not possible to make a B-stall with the PI
because the A and B lines are connected.
Big ears are not possible with the PI 19 for
the same reason. The PI 23 has an extra
base line which makes it possible to fold
the ears.
And again - collapses cannot be simulated
because the A and B lines share the same
riser.
ADVANCE strongly advise against carrying
out the following manoeuvres because of the
high momentum effects involved:
• One-sided stall (spin)
• Fullstall

Descent aids
The ADVANCE test team recommend the
steep spiral as a quick and efficient way of
getting down fast. On the PI 23 it is also
possible to use big ears.
Tip: Practise fast descents in calm
air now and then, so that they do
not become an emergency when
required.
Big ears
Big ears are not possible with the PI 19 because
the A and B lines are linked. This was
done to reduce the total number of lines – for
simplicity and weight-saving: the PI can lose
height well enough by turning, wingovering
and spiral diving. In any case, big ears would
be difficult to do with such a small wing, and
does not feel comfortable for the pilot.

Unlike the PI 19 the PI 23 has an additional
A base line which makes big ears possible. To
apply big ears pull both of these outer A lines
(marked with a red sleeve) quickly down together.
This will collapse the wingtips which
can easily be held in the folded position. To
reopen just let the lines go; the PI 23 wingtips
will open by themselves due to the high
internal wing pressure.
Caution: Be careful not to encourage
a stall while flying with big ears. Beware
of applying brakes with big
ears and avoid this method of descent
with a wet glider.

Landing
Always make a good circuit with a defined final
approach. Keep sufficient speed, then
apply increasing brake to level out the flightpath
as the ground comes up, finally going
through to full brake for a zero speed touchdown.
When landing in zero wind be prepared
to take two or three run-out steps.
• Steep turn reversals cause large
pendulum swings of the pilot;
this should be avoided near the
ground.
• Braking gives you low speed and
a high sink rate; you can also be
sure that manoeuvrability will be
greatly restricted.
• Flying below minimum speed
leads to stalling; this should unquestionably
be avoided when
top landing, and on final approach.

Flying with a wet paraglider
There’s a risk of parachutal stall. Parachutal
stall is often the result of a combination of
factors. The water adds to the weight of the
glider. The additional weight causes a higher
angle of attack, putting the glider closer to
the stall. Then again, water drops on the
wing surface disturb the laminar airflow near
the front of the wing, significantly reducing
the maximum lift coefficient available.
In order to guard against the risk of parachutal
stall with a wet wing the glider should
braked as little as possible and big ears
should not be used under any circumstances.
If, however, the PI does go into parachutal
stall recovery can only be made by pushing
on the A risers.

Info: With the optional risers fitted
recovery from parachutal stall
should be made by using the speed
system (speedbar or trimmers).

Packing and care
Handle with care!
The PI is made as light as possible and designed
for a specific function. Handle the PI
lightweight materials sensitively. The PI will
only supply long-lasting delight if it is looked
after carefully. Think about what the ‘Handle
with Care’ label means each time you see
it, because the lifespan of this product depends
to a great extent on your own care
and attention.
Pack up your PI rib to rib so that the leading
edge plastic rods lie flat on each other, all at
the same height. The PI will compress down
to a small volume in the conical inner bag
supplied, and will then fit perfectly in your
PIPACK or EASINESS.
Always pack or store your paraglider dry.

Warranty and Service
Register your PI online within 10 days of purchase
on www.advance.ch/garantie. The
ADVANCE warranty is valid for 3 years to
cover defects that are attributable to manufacturing
faults. There are more details online.
Your PI has to have a check every 24 months
– or every 12 months or 100 flights if it is
used a lot. You can find detailed information
about the worldwide ADVANCE Service Network
on www.advance.ch .
You can find the up-to-date version of the
detailed official manual, more advice about
safety, and current information including answers
to frequently asked questions (FAQs)
on www.advance.ch.

Technical details
ADVANCE PI 19 23
Flat surface m 2 19.00 23.00
Take off weight 2 kg 50 – 95 65 – 115
Glider weight * kg 2.45 2.85
Aspect ratio 4.5 4.5
Trim speed 1 km/h 42 +/- 1 42 +/- 1
Best glide 1 8.1 8.1
Weight PIPACK kg 0.35 0.35
Volume PIPACK lt 36 36
Certification EN/LTF C 65 – 99 kg / EN/LTF B
100 – 115 kg / EN/LTF C
* The weight of each size can vary up to 100 g as a function of the fabric manufacture process.
1 Values depend on wing loading (pilot/harnesses and glider) 2 Pilot, wing, equipment

A1 A2
ADVANCE PI 19 Detail lineplan ADVANCE PI 23
A3 A4
A5
A6
A7
A8
2A1 2A2
A9
2A3
A10 A10
2A4
A11
A11
B1 B2 B3 B4
A12
A12
B5 B6
B7
A13
A13
B8
B9
2B1 2B2
B10
A14
2B3 2B4
B11 2A5
B10
A14
B11 2A5
2A6
A15
3AB1
2A6
A15
3AB2
B12
B13
B12 B13
2B5
B14
B14
C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6
2B6
3A3
C7 C8
B15 A16
2B5
B15 A16
C9 C10 C11 3AB3
C10
2B6
C11 C12
C13
2C1 2C2
2C3
C12 C14 B16
C13
St A
C14 B16
C15
3B3
C15 St A
2C4
St B
St B
2C5
C16
2C5
C16
2C6
St C
2C6
St C
D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8 D9 D10 D11 D12 D13 D14 D15
D10 D11 D12 D13 D14 D15
St D
St D
C St
C St
3D1 3D2
2D5
3D3 3D4
2D6
2D5 2D6
3CD3
9
3CD3
9
3CD1
3CD2
7
8
7
8
6
6
5
5
3 4
1 2
F1 F2 F3 F4
F4
VR1
VR2
SL up
SL low

advance thun ag
uttigenstrasse 87
ch 3600 thun
www.advance.ch
info@advance.ch
fon +41 33 225 70 10
fax +41 33 225 70 11