Suspension Lines of the Glider
- Spectra / Dyneema – white polyethylene lines, sheeted multicolour or unsheeted typically in pink colour.
- Technora / Twaron / Kevlar – brownish aramid lines, sheeted multicolour or unsheeted typically in brown yellow colours.
- Vectran – yellow polyester lines, similar properties to aramid, typically in yellow and orange colour.
- Tergal / Dacron – polyester lines and risers.
- Nylon – polyamide lines are used for reserve parachute lines typically in white colour.
Sheeted lines are covered with multi-coloured polyester braided fibres for protection of the core.
Fun fact – this extra sheet of material carries 10% of the line’s weight endurance.
Unsheeted lines are typically coloured and protected against abrasion by a polyurethane chemical solution.
Dyneema VS Kevlar… Properties in a nutshell
Dyneema lines are more elastic, lighter in weight, higher abrasion and UV resistance lines however Kevlar lines are more heat resistant and dimensionally stable with less shock resistance.
Nylon polyamide and Tergal polyester lines are elastic, further have a good heat, abrasion and UV resistance.
The Canopy of the Glider
Porcher Marine Sport – skytex – & Domenico – dokdo – are the two most common, specially coated “nylon”, fabrics of almost all grades and basic colours that form the top and bottom of the glider.
Paper-resembling white hard skytex fabric forms the ribs and diagonals fitted in the internal.
Textile ribbon loops, border bands and harder Mylar parts or plastic wire spans to complete and enhance the resistance and practical functionality of each profile design.
A few glider manufacture companies have developed their own canopy cloth such as SOL Paragliders, APCO ect. which has shown to be workable and following the technological demand in design.
Suspension Lines of the Glider
- Spectra / Dyneema – white polyethylene lines, sheeted multicolour or unsheeted typically in pink colour.
- Technora / Twaron / Kevlar – brownish aramid lines, sheeted multicolour or unsheeted typically in brown yellow colours.
- Vectran – yellow polyester lines, similar properties to aramid, typically in yellow and orange colour.
- Tergal / Dacron – polyester lines and risers.
- Nylon – polyamide lines are used for reserve parachute lines typically in white colour.
Sheeted lines are covered with multi-coloured polyester braided fibres for protection of the core.
Fun fact – this extra sheet of material carries 10% of the line’s weight endurance.
Unsheeted lines are typically coloured and protected against abrasion by a polyurethane chemical solution.
Dyneema VS Kevlar… Properties in a nutshell
Dyneema lines are more elastic, lighter in weight, higher abrasion and UV resistance lines however Kevlar lines are more heat resistant and dimensionally stable with less shock resistance.
Nylon polyamide and Tergal polyester lines are elastic, further have a good heat, abrasion and UV resistance.
The Canopy of the Glider
Porcher Marine Sport – skytex – & Domenico – dokdo – are the two most common, specially coated “nylon”, fabrics of almost all grades and basic colours that form the top and bottom of the glider.
Paper-resembling white hard skytex fabric forms the ribs and diagonals fitted in the internal.
Textile ribbon loops, border bands and harder Mylar parts or plastic wire spans to complete and enhance the resistance and practical functionality of each profile design.
A few glider manufacture companies have developed their own canopy cloth such as SOL Paragliders, APCO ect. which has shown to be workable and following the technological demand in design.