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Paraglider fabric
We use a top grade polyamide cloth to build our paragliders, with a special protective coating
against UV radiation and air permeability. The cloth will suffer if it is exposed to large amounts of
UV (i.e. bright sunlight). Do not leave your glider lying in the sun for any longer than is absolutely
necessary, only unpack and rig right before launching and do yourself the favour of repacking
right after landing. Modern paraglider textiles have improved much in terms of UV durability but
UV exposure remains the deciding factor of a paraglider's life expectancy. First the colours start to
fade, then the coating and the structural integrity of the synthetic fibres begin to deteriorate.
On UP gliders the coated side of the cloth is facing inwards. This means that the coating is
subjected to less mechanical abrasion while the porosity-limiting capabilities remain the same.
When choosing an area to lay out the glider before launching, try to find somewhere that is
relatively free of stones and sharp rocks. Pay particular attention to the top surface, where the
canopy touches the ground.
Never step on your glider – stepping on it will weaken the cloth, especially if the surface beneath it
is hard or contains sharp objects. We recommend keeping an eye on spectators on launch. Many,
especially children, do not fully appreciate the fragility of the lines and cloth. It is usually easy to
explain this to spectators and parents.
When folding your wing please make sure that there are no insects caught inside. Many insect
species contain acids that could damage the cloth. Grasshoppers may use their sharp mandibles
to attempt to gnaw their way out of a folded canopy, making it full of holes in the process. Besides
they exude a dark and strong colourant that will stain the cloth if packed inside. Shoo them off
before packing. Note that, contrary to popular belief, these particular insects are not attracted to
any particular colours.
If the glider gets wet, then dry it as soon as possible, but not in direct sunlight! If you pack you
wing away wet it may grow mildew and, if also subjected to heat, the fabric fibres may begin to
decompose.
A new wing straight off the shelves is often compressed hard. The compression serves to reduce
shipping costs but should not be repeated once the wing has been unpacked and flown for the
first time. Also note that, in spite of it being a comfortable seat, the glider bag should not be used
as such.
Should you accidentally put your UP Meru into seawater rinse it out thoroughly with fresh water
and dry it slowly in the shade (see Chapter Cleaning).
Paraglider lines
The lines used on the UP Meru are high grade Dyneema and Aramid lines. Keep the following
points in mind:
The lines should be checked regularly for damage,
Please take care to avoid abrasion and damage to the lines,
The lines should not be knotted or bent unnecessarily,
The main brake line at the handle should not have too many knots. Each knot weakens the
line,
After any line over-stressing (tree landings, water landings and other extreme situations) all
lines must be checked for condition and length and should be replaced where necessary,
If any change in flying characteristics is noticed then the lines should be checked and
possibly exchanged. Immediately send your wing to UP International or to a UP certified
checking facility if you feel that something is wrong!
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