GIN Mirage - Manual (Page 23)

23
5. Care, Maintenance and Repairs
The materials used in the Mirage have been carefully selected for maximum durability.
Nevertheless, following the guidelines below will keep your glider airworthy and will ensure a
long period of continuous safe operation. Excessive wear is caused by careless ground handling
and packing, unnecessary exposure to UV light, chemicals, heat and moisture.
Ground handling
The following should be avoided:
Violent shocks to the upper surface (e.g. when the canopy crashes to the ground leading
edge first whilst ground handling).
Dragging the glider along the ground.
Stepping on the lines or canopy. The Kevlar inside the sheath can take lots of pulling force
without stretching, but is sensitive to bending with small radius.
Opening your wing in strong winds without first untangling the lines.
UV damage
Avoid leaving the glider out in the sun unnecessarily. UV rays from the sun degrade the
materials.
Packing instructions
We advise you to pack the glider ‘accordion wise’ as shown in the diagram. This packing
procedure takes slightly longer and may require an assistant, but it conserves the rigidity in
the profile reinforcements.
Since folding the glider weakens the materials, pack the glider as loosely as possible.