Strap wear

August 10, 2020

In many risers, individual straps slip over metal locks when accelerating. This can lead to signs of wear over time. With this shoulder strap, the connecting strap between the A and B levels is torn. // Source: Paraglidingforum, I. Kuser When accelerating, almost all modern gliders not only pull down the A-plane, but also the B-plane - but mostly only in a ratio of 2: 1 or 3: 1. In order for this to be successful, the B-level must be coupled to the A-level via rotors with additional belts. These circulators usually consist of square metal rings over which the belts slide. Under load, however, this shifting will always be accompanied by a certain amount of wear and tear on the belt material. This happens even more if the rings are not processed properly or if the belt straps run through them at an angle. In the worst case, the wear and tear can become so severe that the corresponding tape breaks. Something like this happens rarely and typically only after many hours of flight, but it does happen again and again. Therefore, as a pilot, you should not only check the lines when preparing for take-off, but also the correct condition of the risers.

This article has been translated for your convenience and was originally written in German.