14 - Modification of Paraglider

h3. Proposal from

Wojtek DOMAŃSKI (POL)

h3. Proposal title

14 - Modification of Paraglider

h3. Existing text

{panel}{_}FAI Sporting Code - Section 10 - 2017 ANNEX 3 - PART 1, ALL CLASSES_

*1.10.1 REGISTRATION*
On arrival the team leader and members shall report to the Registration Office to have their documents checked and to receive supplementary regulations and information. The following documents are required:
- Pilot License and qualifications.
- Evidence of competitor's identity.
- Valid FAI Sporting License for pilot and navigator.
- Aircraft Certificate of Airworthiness or Permit to Fly.
- Minimum speed declaration (not required for Paramotors or foot-launched Microlights).
- Evidence of conformity to class rules.
- Certificate of Insurance.
- Receipt for payment of entry fees.
The Registration Office will be open as indicated on the information board.
Registration forms may be inspected by Team Leaders on request prior to the start of competition flying.

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*3.1.9 PROHIBITED PARAGLIDER MODIFICATION*
_none_
{panel}

{panel}{_}FAI Sporting Code - Section 10 - 2017 ANNEX 1_

*CONFORMATION REQUIREMENTS for PARAMOTORS*
*3 AIRCRAFT INTEGRITY REQUIREMENT*
_none_

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*Paraglider Integrity Declaration*
_none_
{panel}


h3. New text

{panel}{_}FAI Sporting Code - Section 10 - 2017 ANNEX 3 - PART 1, ALL CLASSES_

*1.10.1 REGISTRATION*
On arrival, the team leader and members shall report to the Registration Office to have their documents checked and to receive supplementary regulations and information. The following documents are required:
- Pilot License and qualifications.
- Evidence of competitor's identity.
- Valid FAI Sporting License for pilot and navigator.
- Aircraft Certificate of Airworthiness or Permit to Fly.
- Minimum speed declaration (not required for Paramotors or foot-launched Microlights).
- {color:#ff0000}Paraglider Integrity Declaration (S10-An.1 4) required if the paraglider of a pilot/crew has been modified from it's standard design{color}
- Evidence of conformity to class rules.
- Certificate of Insurance.
- Receipt for payment of entry fees.
The Registration Office will be open as indicated on the information board.
Registration forms may be inspected by Team Leaders on request prior to the start of competition flying.

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{color:#ff0000}{*}3.1.9 PROHIBITED PARAGLIDER MODIFICATION{*}{color}
{color:#ff0000}Pilot/crew is expected to fly on a paraglider originally designed by the manufacturer. Any self-modifications to the following paraglider elements:{color}
{color:#ff0000}\- canopy shape, and dimension{color}
{color:#ff0000}\- lines configuration, and dimension{color}
{color:#ff0000}\- riser, and riser accessories configuration, and dimension{color}
{color:#ff0000}is prohibited and will be the subject to pilot/crew disqualification, unless the modification is made by the wing manufacturer. In the case of manufacturer's modification to the wing, pilot/crew is obliged to deliver a valid Paraglider Integrity Declaration (S10-An.1 4) listing which parts of the wing have been modified.{color}{panel}

{panel}{_}FAI Sporting Code - Section 10 - 2017 ANNEX 1_

{color:#ff0000}{*}CONFORMATION REQUIREMENTS for PARAMOTORS{*}{color}
{color:#ff0000}{*}3 PARAGLIDER INTEGRITY REQUIREMENT{*}{color}
{color:#ff0000}3.1 A paraglider flown in the competition has to conform to the original design by the manufacturer.{color}
{color:#ff0000}3.2 Any self-made modification to the canopy, lines, and riser can result in a significant change of paraglider performance{color} {color:#ff0000}{*}and safety{*}{color}{color:#ff0000}, and as such are considered dangerous and prohibited.{color}
{color:#ff0000}3.3 Pilot/crew flying on a self-modified paraglider is a subject for disqualification.{color}
{color:#ff0000}3.4 The change of any of the following paraglider parameters is considered as a prohibited modification:{color}
{color:#ff0000}\- canopy shape, and dimension{color}
{color:#ff0000}\- lines configuration, and dimension{color}
{color:#ff0000}\- riser (including riser accessories) configuration, and dimension{color}
{color:#ff0000}3.5. A standard dimension and configuration reference is considered any printed or electronic material published by the manufacturer in:{color}
{color:#ff0000}\- manual{color}
{color:#ff0000}\- service instruction{color}
{color:#ff0000}\- web service{color}
{color:#ff0000}\- etc.{color}
{color:#ff0000}3.4 It is allowed that pilot/crew will fly on a paraglider modified{color} {color:#ff0000}{*}by the manufacturer{*}{color} {color:#ff0000}upon an individual agreement between pilot and manufacturer. Such an agreement has to be proved by a Paraglider Integrity Declaration (p. 4) presented to organizer during registration. Paraglider Integrity Declaration shall include:{color}
{color:#ff0000}\- pilot identity{color}
{color:#ff0000}\- paraglider serial number{color}
{color:#ff0000}\- the nature of changes against serially produced wings{color}
{color:#ff0000}are specified, signed and stamped by the manufacturer.{color}

In last few years a design of paramotor wings has gone through serious (r)evolution. The size of canopies has been significantly decreased, and riser system has become more complicated.
Risers are able to deeply regulate paraglider angle of attack and/or airfoil shape, thus even a subtle risers modification design can result in a significant change of glider performance *and safety*. If the modification is made by manufacturers, the results (including safety) are verified during factory test flights, and then in a homologation/certification test flights. Tests are inevitable as erroneous riser adaptation can result in unsafe flight modes. Paraglider might have a tendency to unexpected collapses.

Unfortunately, during few recent competitions, we could observe several cases of DIY riser adaptations made by pilots, resulting in an unstable wing behavior.

Pilots should not tamper with such mighty system as paraglider lines, canopy, and risers because results are potentially hazardous. On the other hand, because of their high skills, competition pilots are the best person to test and verify new solutions, not existing yet in a serial production. Thus, to no shut the door of progress and invention, there has to be a procedure of a legal introduction of new solutions if required.

The amendment puts on a pilot an obligation to fly only on serially produced paragliders, which dimensions and solutions precisely correspond to information and data included in a user manual, service instructions, and technical data. In case a pilot/crew flies on a wing amended by a manufacturer, the pilot/crew has to present a _Paraglider Integrity Declaration_ in which:
- pilot identity