Advance are advising the retrofitting of a free line kit to Epsilon 7 and Zeta paragliders, to bring them up to the latest strength safety standards.
The announcement on 10 March 2016 explains the move is “to conform to the latest, more stringent safety standards” although both wings conform to the existing norms and minimum strength requirements of their EN/LTF certifications if this replacement is not carried out.
The full notice reads:
ADVANCE are adapting the EPSILON 7 and ZETA models to the latest safety standards. To conform to these more stringent requirements we recommend the retrofitting of a free line kit.
Depending on wing size these kits replace between two and six base lines with those of a larger gauge. Both products still conform to the existing norms and minimum strength requirements of their EN/LTF certifications if this replacement is not carried out.
In autumn 2015 revised standards for EN/LTF certification (EN 926-1) came into force. These involved new rules for defining minimum line strengths which will better apply to today’s now familiar three liner designs.
In the course of recent development we have therefore taken on board extensive simulations of line loadings. To do this we used our own newly developed software tool which can differentially simulate the loading of each individual line on a paraglider. In the light of these recent findings and requirements, use of this simulation technique on past models has shown that a few base lines on the EPSILON 7 and ZETA would have been made of lines of a thicker diameter, if we designed these wings today.
So far, no related event has come to light. We have decided, however, in the interests of maximising safety margins, to offer free replacement line kits for the EPSILON 7 and ZETA, and recommend that this retrofit is carried out on all these wings.
Between two and six base lines are involved, depending on wing size, and will be replaced by the same type of line, of a thicker gauge.
The line kit can be ordered online on this link. If possible the retrofit can be carried out at the next two-year check. With appropriate knowledge the lines can also be changed by yourself, by ADVANCE or by your dealer.
