It happens to everybody. Somehow the lines on your wing get tangled and
getting them back straight again can be one of the most frustrating
experiences known to PPG Pilots everywhere.
The truth is there is a very easy trick to getting things back the way they
belong. I'll try and describe the process as best as I can. Unfortunately
it would be easier if I could show you how, but that cannot be done easily
here.
With practice you'll be able to untangle any wing in five minutes or less.
1 - Get the wing itself physically straight and laying flat on its back.
Don't worry about putting more tangles in your lines, just get the wing
physically straight. Literally lay the wing out just like you are getting
ready to do a forward launch.
Make sure you steering toggles are properly secured to the risers.
2 - Locate the center most "A" line on each riser. This is easy to find. The
center cells on the leading edge of your wing have an "A" line attached that
goes to the top inside "A" line link on each riser. One line will go to the
left riser and the other to the right riser. This is the dividing point
between the left and right halves of your wing. That "A" line is the line we
want to work with on each riser.
3 - Start at the wing with one of these lines in your hand, nothing else but
one of these lines.
4 - Begin slowly working your way back from the wing toward the riser. Keep
this line clear of any tangles you encounter along the way. Pass it through
other lines, or the other riser, if you have to but keep this line clear.
This works easiest when you have a lot of slack in the lines.
Sometimes it helps if you just hold this "A" line up vertically and shake it
so that the tangles fall down and off and away from it. Don't let this
frighten you. It may look like a royal mess but when you finally make it to
the riser and this line is free and clear from the wing all the way to its
top inside position on the link, all the other lines on that riser will be
straight.
You are using this line as your guide and it will help you identify and
remove the tangles along the way.
5 - After you finish one riser repeat this process with the other riser.
It is not uncommon to have to pass the lines on one riser through the lines
on another riser. This happens when your wing comes down on top of you and
you step through the lines as you get out from underneath the wing.
NEVER pull anything tight. Keep the lines as loose as possible as you work.
When you are done, kite your wing if you can. This allows for a good visual
check to make sure you got things right.
